Food is one of our agency's favorite topics- whether we are eating it or not eating it, how long we are going to exercise if we do eat it and where we intend on eating it this weekend.  Lately, though, we've been discussing the validity of organic and natural foods and the ability to make them part of our everyday lives.

Sparked by the movie Food Inc., this discussion has been one that has stuck with me during my last few grocery store visits.  While I've always seen the organic produce and milk, cage-free eggs and grain-fed beef, I must admit that I've never paid much attention to these items.  They are usually at least three times more expensive, and my husband would probably pass out if I threw a gallon of six-dollar milk in our cart.  But the rumblings around the office have been weighing heavy on my mind, so I thought I would provide some helpful information on the topic.

Below is a list of some of my research as well as a few tips that I follow when I shop.  I am hopeful that the fact that I at least pay attention to the foods I'm feeding my family will help to keep them healthy for a long time.

1) Most people cannot afford to buy all organic fruits and vegetables, but there are some that are worth the investment.

2) The jury is still out on organic milk.  I refuse to pay almost triple the cost, and this article helped justify my decision.

3) Buy fruit in season.  The price is your first indicator.  Cheap = in season.

4) Read the ingredient list on packaged foods.  I keep a list of off-limit items in my purse since I can never remember their names.

5) Spend the majority of your shopping trip on the perimeter of the store.  Think about it: this is where you find produce, dairy, meat/protein and bread, all staples of the food pyramid.  See the updated pyramid and notice the absence of boxed macaroni and cheese.

6) If you think it should be refrigerated it should be.  Cheese should not be on a shelf next to the salsa.

7) Blueberries the size of baseballs should be a red flag.

Just because your bread is brown does not mean it is whole wheat.

9) Don't be thrown off by the words 'natural' and 'organic'.  Unless you are at Whole Foods (which I typically am not) the standards for these labels are still squishy. Refer to number four of this article and read all of the ingredients.

10) Most important, remember the old adage 'everything in moderation.'  I can eat junk food with the best of them, but I also work hard to provide healthy food for my family and me.  If you make good decisions most of the time, the rest should fall into place.

- Posted by Nicole DePue