““SuperfoodsSuperfoods””

What are they?What are they? ““special category of foodsspecial category of foods”” ““calorie sparsecalorie sparse”” ““nutrient densenutrient dense”” So they pack a lot of punch for their So they pack a lot of punch for their

weight!weight!

““Superior sources of antioxidants Superior sources of antioxidants and essential nutrientsand essential nutrients””

As soil quality decreases, and food As soil quality decreases, and food has less nutrients, we will need to has less nutrients, we will need to rely more and more on plants with a rely more and more on plants with a higher nutrient density!higher nutrient density!

““Tend to be vibrant colorsTend to be vibrant colors”” ““pigments = phytochemicals; protect pigments = phytochemicals; protect

the plant, protect us toothe plant, protect us too””

WhatWhat’’s the catch?s the catch? ““No legal definition for superfoodNo legal definition for superfood”” This means that anyone can claim This means that anyone can claim

that their product is a superfood in that their product is a superfood in the U.S.the U.S.

““European Union: company must European Union: company must prove benefit to use word on labelprove benefit to use word on label””

““Organics vs. Organics vs. Conventional CropsConventional Crops””

Part two of our lesson…Part two of our lesson…

WhatWhat’’s the hype?s the hype? And whatAnd what’’s the difference?s the difference? And if itAnd if it’’s more expensive, why s more expensive, why

should we bother?should we bother? ““Organic describes the cropOrganic describes the crop’’s s

method of handling and production.method of handling and production.”” It doesnIt doesn’’t tell us anything about t tell us anything about

nutrition…organic bacon!nutrition…organic bacon!

Use of the word on Use of the word on packagingpackaging

““Organic on a label is regulated by Organic on a label is regulated by the USDA, unless the company the USDA, unless the company makes $5,000/year or less.makes $5,000/year or less.””

So small, roadside farmers are So small, roadside farmers are exempt from these inspections.exempt from these inspections.

How can the USDA tell?How can the USDA tell?

ItIt’’s hard to do!s hard to do! ““New test in development looks New test in development looks

for higher levels of nitrogen-15 in for higher levels of nitrogen-15 in the soil.the soil.””

This is found in soil without This is found in soil without modern fertilizers.modern fertilizers.

So what does it mean?So what does it mean? ““Organic means:Organic means:”” ““no synthetic fertilizers or no synthetic fertilizers or

pesticidespesticides”” Remember though, they can get Remember though, they can get

contaminated!contaminated! ““no GMOsno GMOs”” ““no feeding animals other animals no feeding animals other animals

or manureor manure”” You heard that right!You heard that right!

““No growth hormonesNo growth hormones”” Growth hormones are Growth hormones are

given to some animals given to some animals to make them grow to make them grow faster and get to market faster and get to market sooner.sooner.

BGH, for example, BGH, for example, Bovine Growth Bovine Growth Hormone.Hormone.

Made by….Monsanto!Made by….Monsanto!

““No food irradiation: exposed to No food irradiation: exposed to radiation to kill bacteriaradiation to kill bacteria””

What about free-range?What about free-range? Free-range generally means that the Free-range generally means that the

animals in question (usually chickens) animals in question (usually chickens) have been able to run around in a have been able to run around in a larger area than a pen. However….larger area than a pen. However….

““There is no regulation of free-range There is no regulation of free-range animals.animals.””

““Benefits of Organic FoodBenefits of Organic Food””

““Slightly higher levels of minerals, Slightly higher levels of minerals, vitamin C, antioxidant vitamin C, antioxidant phytonutrientsphytonutrients””

Some studies find this, some donSome studies find this, some don’’t, t, so weso we’’re not absolutely sure.re not absolutely sure.

Why might this be?Why might this be?

““OrganicsOrganicsno pesticidesno pesticides”” ““Therefore, plants must evolve Therefore, plants must evolve

natural protectionsnatural protections”” ““Often, antioxidantsOften, antioxidants”” Which we get the benefit of when Which we get the benefit of when

we eat them!we eat them!

Do they taste different?Do they taste different? Some say yes.Some say yes. ““Chemical fertilizers encourage Chemical fertilizers encourage

water uptakewater uptake”” ““Less water, less flavor dilution.Less water, less flavor dilution.”” So these crops may be more So these crops may be more

flavorful.flavorful.

Can we measure flavor?Can we measure flavor?

Yes!Yes! The same way they do in a soda The same way they do in a soda

factory…factory… ““Brix score is a measure of sugar Brix score is a measure of sugar

concentration.concentration.”” ““organics organics higher Brix scores!higher Brix scores!””