The New Year is a brilliant time to start thinking about going organic – purchasing organic products means eating food as it should be, without any added additives, preservatives and fewer pesticides and with the highest level of animal welfare it’s easier than you think. By making a few simple changes you can help look after not only your health but the environment too.
Clare McDermott, Soil Association Certification Business Development Director, said: “Every single one of us has the power to change the way food is produced and every time you buy an organic product you send a message that can influence a shift towards more sustainable food and farming systems. It’s all about making small changes with a big impact, and the new year is a perfect time to start!”
Soil Association, the UK’s leading organic charity, currently certifies more than 50,000 organic food and drink products so it’s easier than ever to switch your favourite foods to organic produce.
Five Simple Organic Swaps for the New Year
- Choose organic vegetables: With up to 50% more wildlife on organic farms, swapping just one vegetable makes a big difference in helping birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and wildflowers.
Organic crops are also nutritionally different with up to 69% more antioxidants than those produced with non-organic methods and carrots are the most popular organic vegetable.
Organic box schemes are a great way to get seasonal, organic veg delivered right to your door with incredible gluten-free options available from Abel and Cole, Riverford and Eversfield.
- Select high welfare, organic meat and dairy: Choosing organic means no system of farming has higher animal welfare. The routine use of antibiotics is also banned in organic, resulting in better conditions for animals and lessening the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
- Celebrate with organic wine, beer and spirits: organic wine contains less sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Less sulphur dioxide is in your wine is rumoured to reduce hangovers! Why not try St Peters Brewery Gluten Free Beers? http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/products/gluten-free-beers/
- Slather on the health and beauty products: the terms ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ aren’t regulated within the cosmetics and personal care sector. By choosing Soil Association certified products, you can ensure your health and beauty products are made up of the highest possible proportion of organic and sustainable ingredients. Why not try Green People’s Orange Blossom Moisturiser https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/orange-blossom-moisturiser-50ml?source=aw&affid=201309&awc=1613_1542128569_588378d53e3f275ec11018fe3dfc4f68
- Wrap up warm: The non-organic cotton industry is a huge source of global environmental pollution, using almost 16% of all insecticides produced globally*. This has led to the fashion industry becoming one of the most polluting industries on the planet, second only to oil.* Organic textiles are grown without the use of harmful pesticides or GMOs; promoting a healthier farm and environment. *Stats from The British Journal of Nutrition