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The Organic Myth

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Submitted By TiffanieRose
Words 967
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Tiffanie Dreher
Professor Barr
Eng 119-105
RP2-2
8 December 2014
824 Words

The Organic Myth
People in America love their fast food. But did you know about all the additives in it? Or how many calories just one meal can cost you? Did you know organic foods have no additives, and are pesticide free? Organic foods will keep Americans healthy. With multiple fast food restaurants on every street, it is convenient for many Americans to eat at one. Fast food restaurants market heavily to children and adolescents, and for parents pressed with time, it is all too easy just to give into the wishes of their children (Goldstein 37). Carmen Piernas states in Food Portion Patterns and Trends among U.S. Children and the Relationship to Total Eating Occasion Size,
In the context of the growing obesity rate in the United States, larger portion sizes of selected energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods have increased in parallel with energy intakes at meals, especially in adolescents and middle-aged children. To our knowledge, our study provided new insights about the behavioral and nutritional changes that have occurred over the past three decades in the United States, which may have contributed to increased daily energy intakes during a period of reduced activity and increased risk of childhood obesity. I have found that I am always hungry. At first I thought it was just hormones or my metabolism. I have discovered that it is actually the food I am eating that makes me stay hungry. This is very bad because I have been living off of fast food. Restaurants like McDonald’s or Wendy’s are known for serving food that is generally high in fat and calories, and the portions tend to be large (Goldstein 37). At Steak n’ Shake, which is where I currently work, I usually have the Western BBQ and Bacon Double Steakburger, a small order of parmesan cheese and herb fries, with a birthday cake milkshake. This meal all together is 1,790 calories, 81 grams of fat, and 191 grams of salt (Steak). I have this at least three times a week. 1,790 calories is what my daily amount of calories should be and I can’t go past that (How). Obviously, as I have previously stated, food with low nutritional value burns off very quickly and you soon become hungry after eating. This is where people begin to gain weight because they can’t escape the grip of the deliciousness of greasy fast food. Personally, I am beginning to cut down on how much I eat fast food. My New Year’s Resolution is to only have fast food once or twice a month. Since I have done this research, I have discovered how bad not only fast food is but our everyday meats and processed foods. GMO’s and other additives began more commonly going into our foods in the 1990s, this worries me because I have grown up eating those food products. What will happen to my generation in the future with all of these additives and “natural flavoring?”
If you think about the term “natural flavorings” it sounds so healthful. However, Title 21, Section 101, Part 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines natural flavorings as follows:
The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating, or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food flavoring is rather than nutritional.
Therefore, “natural flavoring” is quite the opposite of what it says it is. The USDA, or the United States Department of Agriculture, notes that “organic food is produced by farms that emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations”. Organic farmers don’t use pesticides, the USDA goes on to say, “Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation”(Goldstein 168). You don’t have to worry about rinsing your fruits and vegetables from organic farms for the fear of chemicals and sewage sludge.
Organic food is expensive, however, and is usually twice the cost of ordinary foods, but it is worth cutting some corners for your health. I hope that one day in the future everyone can have organic foods in their kitchens. Maybe even one day fast food restaurants will be told to serve organic foods only.
In conclusion, while fast food restaurants are cheap and convenient, it is terrible for your diet as they give no nutritional value and the food is loaded with additives. Not only is fast food loaded with additives, but conventional food have additives and are sprayed with pesticides. Organic foods, on the other hand, have none and are pesticide free. Everyone should eat organic foods because it will help keep us healthy.

Works Cited
"CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21." Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. U.S Food and Drug Administration, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.
Goldstein, Myrna Chandler, and Mark A. Goldstein. Food and Nutrition Controversies Today: A Reference Guide. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2009. Print.
"How Many Calories Should You Eat?" CalorieKing. CalorieKing Wellness Solutions, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.
Piernas, Carmen, and Barry M. Popkin. "Food Portion Patterns and Trends among U.S. Children and the Relationship to Total Eating Occasion Size, 1977–2006." JN: The Journal of Nutrition. US National Library of Medicine, 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
"Steak N' Shake Nutrition Information, Calories, Allergens." Nutritionix. USDA, 03 Sep. 2014. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.

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