It’s common knowledge that our fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides that cause cancer, and our meat and eggs are often full of steroids and antibiotics that don’t do us any favours as well. Because we see so many people at the clinic with problems related to diet and toxins, we highly recommend eating not only organic food but locally as well.

Local food lessens the need for as many preservatives on your food as there usually is when the food is shipped from other countries. Aside from supporting your local businesses and farmers, eating locally and seasonally also decreases chances of allergic reactions to foods.

The obvious reason for eating organically is that you will not be getting anything toxic along with the food you eat. Did you know, for example, that baby carrots are treated with chlorine, which is a well-known carcinogen? Organic baby carrots, on the other hand, are treated (so they stay fresh) with a non-toxic citrus based solution.

The common resistance to eating organic food is that it is typically more expensive than buying regular products. Generally, this is true, but the amount of money spent on health care as a result of toxicity far outweighs the amount spent on good food, which helps prevent illness.

Here in Belleville, we have several options regarding buying locally and organically. Our farmer’s market includes several vendors who sell organic meat, eggs, and fruits and vegetables, all for reasonable prices. Do a little research and you’ll find farms that will provide the foods you need, often cheaper than at the grocery store. The Organic Underground downtown carries specialty foods and sometimes fresh produce. Dewe’s Independent Grocer has an excellent selection of organic foods throughout the store and No Frills also carries organic.

One of the cheapest options is to grow your own food. Buying organic seeds, or even regular seeds (at least you won’t be spraying the plants with pesticides), and starting them in your house in early spring is very easy. You can grow veggies like peppers in pots or transplant everything to a garden patch, and since plants usually yield more than you can eat, you can cut up and freeze veggies for the winter months, which also saves you money. Lettuce, celery, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, radishes, green beans, peas, carrots — all of these can be grown quite easily and will save you money on groceries.

The things is, your health always involves responsibility and choices. Making the choice to put good food in your body will have its rewards. If you don’t have your health, you are usually unable to enjoy much else. That said, simply eating locally grown and organic food is definitely worth it.

Enjoy the quality of life you deserve.