Thread: have you ever noticed a weight loss from switching to organic food?

Has anyone ever noticed a weight loss after switching to organic food? Would love to hear about your experience.

Originally Posted by jesennia

Has anyone ever noticed a weight loss after switching to organic food? Would love to hear about your experience.

I've not had it myself per se, but I've got a bunch of friends that are either vegans or have recently switched to organic foods. I think two of them switched back to regular because being on organic was too expensive. Eek!

But! For the most part, some of them did, in fact, lose weight. They also tell me they feel much better about themselves and much healthier.

Hope this helped!! :)

I'm guessing it's not the actual organic food itself but the type of lifestyle as part of consuming organic food (eating habits, mindfulness in purchasing food, etc.) which contributes to the weight loss.

Taste-wise I don't seem to notice the difference between organic and normal foods, but price-wise, yes. I agree with Azhia about the lifestyle change contributing to weight loss. Besides being more conscious about buying more healthy foods and eating smaller proportions + exercise does really help with weight loss.

In the last 4 months I've incorporated daily (organic) green smoothies plus liters of vegetable soup and mountains of (sometimes organic) salads. I've lost weight and feel so much better, both physically and mentally.

It takes careful planning to ensure what I need is in my house, otherwise it's so easy to fall back on old habits (esp habits involving sugar and alcohol!).

Yes, it does cost more in some respects....but my health is worth it!

cheers
Rosemarie

yes, absolutely. imo, foods with unnatural chemicals do things to our bodies that nature never intended. organic foods definitely "feel different". its not something you will notice right away but after a month or two definitely. it doesn't have to be super expensive, either. check for local growers, farmers markets etc. i haven't changed the types of foods, just to the organic versions of the same fruits, vegetables, etc.

I switched to an organic lifestyle. Vegetables, dairy, meats, fruit..anything. My grocery bill was beginning to skyrocket. I was losing weight but I was also on weight watchers to, so who knows where the WL came from.

I switched from organic to shopping whats in season or purchasing from the farmers market. Much cheaper. I changed my diet to mainly protein, fruits, vegetables, and a handful of grains a day of inorganic but probably not as bad for you as stuff from corporate farms. Weights falling off really fast. Before I know it, my Christmas binge will be gone.

The only organic thing I actively look for and still buy is organic eggs. If I was still in dairy food, I'd always buy organic dairy to.

Unfortunately I am still new to organic food shopping, I've always had the presumption I'm paying more for crap that comes from natural sources. Something like that.

We have a Whole Foods WAREHOUSE here I mean the store is huge, I haven't looked at meat or produce prices yet ..I've been buying the agave there. Last night I cruised through and was surprised to find organic cookie mix and stuff like that. The more you know , the more you realize you don't know. I do see what you guys are saying, it makes one more aware of not only eating habits but entire lifestyle. I bought a pair of yoga pants made from organic cotton.

Am also in love with Avalon Organics Vitamin C face wash.

But I'm still a cheater, I just had my hair dyed, and still use Redken shampoo (SOFT RULES) and adore the heavily chemicalled MAC makeup line.

I guess it's gradual changes.

Anyways, it IS more expensive but it's better than a health bill. America appears to be designed to keep Americans sick. Illness is big money. I'm willing to cut expense on clothing or a night out partying for healthier food choices.

But again I'm still learning labels. Got an A in nutrition class back in the pre nursing days but we didn't cover one bit about organic food. Which is sad.

Originally Posted by jesennia

Has anyone ever noticed a weight loss after switching to organic food? Would love to hear about your experience.

I can't imagine someone being able to buy enough organic food to get/stay fat on at typical organic food prices...c:: That stuff is expensive.

hahaha maybe that's it, we eat less because it's expensive

hey jes. yes, that is also my point, we save more in health care since we eat healthy food. my four-year old rarely gets sick, and us too! we don't even go to doctors. our eating habits may cost more (or less because we are vegan, organic meat is expensive!), but in the long run, you are saving not only $ in healthcare, medicines, etc, but also yourself and probably prolonging your life too :)

No, but it might be the stuff you're not consuming. I don't know what your diet was like before, but if you're doing more cooking and less ready-made stuff, that'll do it.

Farmer's markets are always a good idea. Supporting local business, not having your food travel for miles....

Everyone in my family lot weight when we switched organic, although I doubt it had that much to do with the organic food itself! Since the prices were higher, we started making chart of what we bought and when it had to be used by, which led to eating a high proportion of veggies daily. Previously we wasted tonnes of vegetables b/c we'd buy them, eat a little, then forget about them and let the rest rot.

I really started to like fresh foods after switching to organic too. Veggies and fruits always grossed me out before because of the waxy texture and lack of flavour, but I don't have that problem with organic foods. It makes travelling and eating in normal restaurants tough though! I want to order salads, but I know the lettuce will be nasty and bland and the tomatoes won't taste like anything so I end up eating less-healthful things.

My family also eats less meat/dairy/fish/eggs due to the cost. I do think there is a difference in organic and free range meats (the latter being more important). Free range animals are healthier (and happier!) and that produces more nutritious, lower cholesterol meats.

I definitely agree with others who've said it's the organic lifestyle that makes the difference--just being aware of what you eat causes you to eat less, eat better and choose healthier options.

Dude, don't think of it as "cheating" when you opt for non-organic options. Sometimes the "organic decree" can be taken a bit too far (we used to make fun of a friend who was quite militant, saying she could only take organic water).

It's all about choices. Each time you are faced with a consumer purchase, you always have a choice. As long as you are conscious of it, it doesn't mean you cheat if you go with something that fits your budget or is more effective for you. Sure, I would love to use cruelty-free makeup brushes and only mineral-based, non-preservative, natural dye cosmetics but if I did, my work would not be as effective. I do what I can, I buy sponges that are biodegradable, cleansing wipes from ethically responsible companies, etc. etc.

Same with food. There are some things I absolutely will not scrimp on quality, like eggs. If it's between being a locatarian and buying organic, sometimes the organic is shipped all the way from California. Thus, I'd prefer to buy something from a farm in Quebec.

You must read this book, Jes (and everyone else): "In Defense of Food." It will help with your food journey tremendously.

Originally Posted by Azhia

I'm guessing it's not the actual organic food itself but the type of lifestyle as part of consuming organic food (eating habits, mindfulness in purchasing food, etc.) which contributes to the weight loss.

Bingo. When I eat fresh, organic food, I can't get enough of it! It's definitely habit-forming, in a very positive way.

But back when I worked at a health food store, I used to crack up when I saw customers load up their carts with the organic equivalent of Cheetos, Oreos, Pop Tarts and Fruity Pebbles. It kinda goes without saying....but an organic junk food diet doesn't count! ..l;,

Yeah, I'll second what Azhia said: "In Defense of Food" is an awesome book.

I'm not 100% organic, but I've tried to get a lot of random chemicals out of my food and my life. I avoid processed foods and read a lot of labels. I haven't really lost any weight, but I look and feel a lot better, and my figure is looking a little less "apple"-like.

From "In Defense of Food"...
Eater's Manifesto:
EAT FOOD. NOT TOO MUCH. MOSTLY PLANTS.

EAT FOOD…
s Don’t eat anything your great grand mother wouldn’t recognize as food.
s Avoid food products containing ingredients that are a) unfamiliar, b) unpronounceable, c) more than five in number, or that include d) high fructose corn syrup.
s Avoid food products that make health claims.
s Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle.
s Get out of the supermarket whenever possible (in favor of farmer’s markets).

NOT TOO MUCH…
s Pay more, eat less (quality over quantity).
s Eat meals (not snacks).
s Do all your eating at a table (desk does not count).
s Don’t get your fuel from the same place as your car does.
s Try not to eat alone.
s Consult your gut (know when you’re full).
s Eat slowly.
s Cook and, if you can, plant a garden.

MOSTLY PLANTS…
s Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.
s You are what you eat eats too.
s If you have the space, buy a freezer.
s Eat like an omnivore (biodiversity).
s Eat well-grown food from healthy soils.
s Eat wild foods when you can.
s Be the kind of person who takes supplements (addressing the lifestyle issue).
s Eat more like the French. Or the Italians. Or the Japanese. Or the Indians. Or the Greeks.
s Regard non-traditional foods with skepticism.
s Don’t look for the magic bullet in the traditional diet.
s Have a glass of wine with dinner.

For inspiration;
Green Smoothie Girl | 12 Steps to Whole Food Eating