Do you Know GMO?
Michigan Home Mommy Works would like to welcome guest blogger: Teresa Jungling
As a mom/and or wife, we strive to do our best to keep our families healthy. One area in which health can ultimately be impacted is in the area of diet. Proper food can provide the nutrients that our bodies need. The wrong foods can create disease.
Today, there are many challenges facing us regarding our diet. Fast foods and processed foods may be convenient, but what are their lasting health impacts? We have to read food labels and pay attention to the amount of sugar and salt that has been added. Is the food organic? What country did the food originate? The list could go on and on. Now, there is the added issue of GMOs. Actually, GMOs have been around since the mid 1990’s; however, if you are like me, I only became aware of them a few years ago. There are still many who have never heard of them.
What are GMOs?
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. According to the non GMO Project, “Genetically modified organisms, are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial, and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.“
There have been short term studies done on animals regarding GMOs, but testing on humans has been scarce.
Today, over 80% of corn and soy are genetically modified in the U.S. Corn and/or soy are found in many processed foods.
The FDA does not require food to be labeled as GMO. However, there are many states who are trying to pass laws to get food labeled. Some food manufacturers and grocers are taking it upon themselves to label food.
What can you do to avoid GMOs?
- Look for Non GMO Project Verified label on the food package.
- Buy organic food. According to organic regulations, organic foods do not contain GMOs.
- Look for grocers who may label food within their market.
- Only buy from sources that you can trust-do a little research about the manufacturer. If you go to a farmer’s market, ask questions of the farmer.
It take a little work and education, but taking the steps to eat healthy today will help prevent disease in the future.
Teresa Jungling –Teresa is the owner of Living Natural Today. She shares information about organic food, nutrition, healthy living, chemical sensitivities, and toxins. She is also an Independent Mission Marketer with Beyond Organic. She is passionate about sharing resources and helping others live a more healthy and natural lifestyle.
Thank you, Teresa for sharing this info with us today. This is excellent info that we most definitely should be taking to heart!
If you would like to be a guest blogger on Michigan Home Mommy Works, contact me at lindsey@michiganhomemommyworks.com.
Thank you for this article! So many are not educated on this subject and it effects EVERYONE! Being a spouse of a farmer, our family struggles trying to grow Non-GMO crops because everyone wants quantity above quality and seeds are limited and grain elevators aren't recognizing how important it is to separate GMO from Non-GMO crops. Keep educating!!
Thank you! I feel for you and the pressure your family and other farmers face regarding GMOs. Hopefully, the more people become educated, the demand for non-GMO food will increase. There are many GMO rallies taking place this weekend – continuing to increase awareness. Your comment about the grain elevators scares me and is also another reason to keep educating!