There are now 4 different “types” of food. I am not talking about the silly USDA pyramid food groups, in which they still classify milk as it’s own group. There are now four actual different classifications of food as a whole and it’s more important than ever that you understand the differences.

Trying to make sense of labels, diets, and the massive amount of misleading marketing claims can cause one to give up and head for the drive through. It’s a passion of mine to dig deep into this issue and understand each ingredient and the way it found it’s way into whatever I was eating. The motivation of the huge corporations that provide us with the majority of the food we eat is profit. All responsible companies need to worry about their bottom line, but when it’s the only focus is when we are mislead.

When the mass distribution of our food began in the 50’s, the way food was grown and processed changed dramatically. Mono crops demanded more pesticides and began to destroy the soil. Preservatives and shelf stabilizers were added to ship food across the country and around the world. Nutrition for our bodies and the earth was no longer a thought. It was instead how much food can we produce and for how little money can we do it?

For so long we have been willing to accept the idea of pesticides and preservatives; it is more convenient for our lifestyles. We celebrate the .99 menus and love the fact that we can throw a granola bar into our purse and find it 6 months later and it’s still “good”. We don’t want to understand what the process of hydrogenating oils is, we are just happy that our peanut butter spreads easier. These past 50 years have caught up with us, and at this critical time the food is changing even more for the worse.

The great news is there are more and more companies everyday that truly do care about you as well as their bottom lines. The health of our bodies and the planet are their focus. To heal we need to search out and support these companies that care. But the first step is understanding what you are eating so you know just how important that is.

The Four Food Types (from poison to perfection)

#1. GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) are the result of laboratory processes which artificially insert foreign genes into the DNA of food crops or animals. Those genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. GMO’s are not safe, but have been in the food supply since 1996. (1) 70% of packaged food, and most if not all animal products that aren’t organic are fed GMO corn and soy for their diet. That means when you drink milk or eat a burger that isn’t organic you are eating GMO’s.

#2. Conventional: This is the food that most of us have been raised on. Your basic pesticide sprayed, preservative filled, corn fed, hydrogenated, processed, grocery store food. This is the food that we have accepted for the past 50 years. The problem is that GMO’s are finding their way into conventional foods.

#3. Organic: This food group is free of anything not natural and by definition does not include GMO’s. However with organic food gaining in popularity the big companies are getting into the game; and mass-produced organic food has arrived. It is still worlds away from #1 or #2, and it’s never been more important that we support this movement; but there is an even better way. It’s the future, and ironically it’s full circle all the way back to way it use to be.

# 4. Beyond Organic:

This food has nutritional value. Quite a concept for the way we have been eating for the last 50 years. This is using what is given to us by nature to fuel our bodies with what we are designed to eat. Energy from the sun that grows the grass that animals feed on. Soil that thrives from rotated crops offering us more vitamins and minerals, and locally grown fresher food. Food that isn’t picked before the sun is finished with it and then imported, sprayed and transported in trucks. It’s an apple from the tree in your yard, from your CSA box or farmers market. It’s food. Pure, simple, nourshing. Local.

If you don’t have the time, energy or desire to learn the in depth knowledge of our food system, but you care about your health and the earth; the short answer is…. Buy Organic, Buy Local.

It has never been more important.

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