If you’re buying organic foods for your kids because you think they’re more nutritious, you might want to think again. The nation’s pediatricians have weighed in on the issue for the first time, and they say that when it comes to nutritional value, organics are virtually indistinguishable from conventionally produced foods.
Dr. Janet Silverstein, a professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Florida said studies show no nutritional difference. She’s a co-author of the report published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Silverstein and her colleagues reviewed the available studies on organic and conventionally produced foods, including produce, dairy products and meat. They considered research about issues including nutrition, hormones, antibiotics and synthetic chemical exposure, plus factors such as environmental impact and price.
Overall, the docs came to a conclusion that may surprise some parents who believe organic is best for their kids
“In the long term, there is currently no direct evidence that consuming an organic diet leads to improved health or lower risk of disease,” AAP officials said in a statement.
No large studies been conducted that address the differences, they said. That largely echoes the findings of a Stanford University review last month that analyzed 237 studies and concluded that organic foods were no more nutritious than conventional -- and ignited huge debates online and on talk shows.
When it comes to the pesky issue of pesticides, hormones and other contaminants, the pediatricians came to a similar conclusion.
No one knows yet whether those substances make foods from conventional sources less safe for growing kids, Silverstein said.
While there’s no question that conventionally grown foods have more pesticides than organic foods, the effect isn’t certain.
Lowers are level than federal governement cutoffs, Silverstein said. But she also said they have no way of knowing how these low levels effect children during the vulnerable period of time when brain growth is occurring: in utero and through the first few years of life.
Studies evaluating the long-term effects of pesticides on child development need to be conducted, she said.
One clear difference between organics and conventionally produced food is price. Organics are typically more expensive, in some cases priced 50 percent higher than the same conventionally grown foods.
Parents should recognize the importance of providing kids with lots of fruits and vegetables whether it comes from organic or conventional farms.
Parents with limited resources should know it is important to give children a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, whether or not they can afford organic foods.
“In the long term, there is currently no direct evidence that consuming an organic diet leads to improved health or lower risk of disease,” AAP officials said in a statement.
No large studies been conducted that address the differences, they said. That largely echoes the findings of a Stanford University review last month that analyzed 237 studies and concluded that organic foods were no more nutritious than conventional -- and ignited huge debates online and on talk shows.
When it comes to the pesky issue of pesticides, hormones and other contaminants, the pediatricians came to a similar conclusion.
No one knows yet whether those substances make foods from conventional sources less safe for growing kids, Silverstein said.
While there’s no question that conventionally grown foods have more pesticides than organic foods, the effect isn’t certain.
Lowers are level than federal governement cutoffs, Silverstein said. But she also said they have no way of knowing how these low levels effect children during the vulnerable period of time when brain growth is occurring: in utero and through the first few years of life.
Studies evaluating the long-term effects of pesticides on child development need to be conducted, she said.
One clear difference between organics and conventionally produced food is price. Organics are typically more expensive, in some cases priced 50 percent higher than the same conventionally grown foods.
Parents should recognize the importance of providing kids with lots of fruits and vegetables whether it comes from organic or conventional farms.
Parents with limited resources should know it is important to give children a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, whether or not they can afford organic foods.
If cost is a factor, families can be selective in choosing organic foods, Silverstein said. Some conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tend to have lower pesticide residues. The AAP cites organic shopper's guides like those provided by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group as references for consumers.
If moms interviewed by NBC News are typical, the new report isn’t likely to dissuade any parents from buying organic.
For Diana Lovett, 34, of Larchmont, N.Y., the most important issue was avoiding pesticides in the foods she gives her son, Noam, 4 ½ months.
Lovett says she’d make her own baby food if she couldn’t find an organic product at the supermarket.
Gigi Lee Chang, 45, of New York, has been feeding her son, Cato, mostly organic foods since he was a baby. Now that he’s 8, she’s planning on packing organic fruits and vegetables to supplement school lunches.
“I don’t think from a mom’s perspective it was ever about the nutrition,” said Chang, chief executive of Healthy Child, Healthy World, an advocacy group that works to help parents protect children from harmful chemicals.
As far as Chang is concerned, the science just hasn’t had a chance to catch up on this issue. Chang points to the situation with bisphenol A, the estrogen-mimicking chemical known as BPA. Several years ago there wasn’t enough evidence on the impact of BPA, she said. And now it’s been banned from baby bottles and sippy cups.
That makes sense to Rachel Blumenthal, 32, of New York. She chooses organic foods for 18-month-old Griffin’s meals because she’s worried about chemicals in conventional foods.
Blumenthal figures it’s just a matter of time before scientists prove what she suspects.
If moms interviewed by NBC News are typical, the new report isn’t likely to dissuade any parents from buying organic.
For Diana Lovett, 34, of Larchmont, N.Y., the most important issue was avoiding pesticides in the foods she gives her son, Noam, 4 ½ months.
Lovett says she’d make her own baby food if she couldn’t find an organic product at the supermarket.
Gigi Lee Chang, 45, of New York, has been feeding her son, Cato, mostly organic foods since he was a baby. Now that he’s 8, she’s planning on packing organic fruits and vegetables to supplement school lunches.
“I don’t think from a mom’s perspective it was ever about the nutrition,” said Chang, chief executive of Healthy Child, Healthy World, an advocacy group that works to help parents protect children from harmful chemicals.
As far as Chang is concerned, the science just hasn’t had a chance to catch up on this issue. Chang points to the situation with bisphenol A, the estrogen-mimicking chemical known as BPA. Several years ago there wasn’t enough evidence on the impact of BPA, she said. And now it’s been banned from baby bottles and sippy cups.
That makes sense to Rachel Blumenthal, 32, of New York. She chooses organic foods for 18-month-old Griffin’s meals because she’s worried about chemicals in conventional foods.
Blumenthal figures it’s just a matter of time before scientists prove what she suspects.
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