Over 80% of the foods sold in U.S. supermarkets are Genetically Modified (GMO)… unfortunately, GMO plants are so much more common than many may even realize.
There are THREE types of GMO’s:
1. BT Toxin – it’s in Corn, Soy & Cotton. This is genetically engineered to reproduce. When bugs eat this BT Toxin their stomach will expand, and die.
2. Roundup Ready – the Plant has been genetically engineered to withstand roundup, and it does not die. Everything else around it WILL die – including the good bacteria. Within Roundup Ready is Glyphosate – which can destroy your gut bacteria. 70% of your immune system is your gut bacteria. Without that gut bacteria we can’t produce Tryptophan, without Tryptophan we can’t produce Seratonin. Without Serotonin we can’t regular blood sugar. Diabetes costs our Federal Government $245 Billion (that was as of 2012 – it may have increased since then). In my husband’s family almost everyone is diabetic. .. I have a multitude of friends that are also diabetic.
3. Desired Trait – Injected into items to wake up genes. Make lettuce more green, tomatoes bigger. The problem with these promoters, is that they have promoters – and many parents are concerned that these promoters are waking up our children in ways that aren’t good for their long term health. (Source)
If given the option, it’s always best to pick up Organic Food, as Organic ensures that items are Non-GMO. Should you purchase items with the Non-GMO seal (that are NOT organic), they can still use pesticides
Photo Credit: Traders Point Creamery
We have to note that Soy is bad – whether you purchase Organic OR Non-Organic… the only Soy you should be eating is fermented Soy.
You can read more about Soy & the dangers of consuming Organic & Non-Organic Soy on our last post.
The TOP TEN GMO Foods — many are foods you should stay clear away from, and others have organic options that you should take advantage of.
1. Soy
90% of Soybeans in the market are genetically engineered to withstand RoundUp. Unfortunately Soy is popular and found in almost every food you will find in the grocery store – from Soy Milk (even Organic) to Granola Bars, and more. It’s inexpensive to produce, and even cheaper when it can be mass produced – which results in an abundance of genetically modified food product.
2. Corn
88% of corn in the US today is genetically modified to withstand it’s herbicide RoundUp – meant to eradicate weeds, but not crops, and resist a pest called the corn borer.
The changes in the DNA of the ecorn are expressed by the plant as proteins – those proteins can act as allergens and infiltrate the GI Tract, esophagus, mucous membranes and more. If at all possible, always try to buy Organic Corn (ie. Corn
3. Canola Oil
Canola Oil comes from rapeseed oil – and is one of the worst oils you can consume. As of 2005, 87% of Canola Oil in the US is genetically modified. Likewise, 90% of Canola Oil in Canada is genetically engineered, too.
4. Sugar
Back in 2009, the US introduced genetically modified sugar beets – these, too, are also modified to resist RoundUp (just like corn is).
5. Processed Dairy
We say processed dairy because there is a sharp difference between processed dairy (here in the US) and Raw Dairy(which is great for the body).
Processed Dairy in the US comes from dairy cows that have been given hormones to increase their milk yield. The hormones are then transferred through the milk to you, as you drink / consume. To avoid this risk in processed dairy, we recommend finding a raw milk source.
6. Papayas
Grown in Hawaii since 1999, these are sold here exclusively in the US and Canada without any issues. However, in other European Countries, they are banned from sale.
7. Aspartame
Created with genetically modified bacteria, Aspartame is used to sweeten almost every processed food in the grocery store – from granola bars to cereal, diet items, and even yogurt.
8. Alfalfa
Genetically modified since 2011, Alfalfa is also engineered to withstand RoundUp, too. From FarmandFoodRights:
….so long as GMO alfalfa is grown in an outside environment cross-pollination is inevitable with non-GMO crops. Honey bees can transfer pollen several miles. Birds can carry seed even farther.
Not only is it expensive, it has also developed a resistance to glyphosate, making it incredibly costly to the pocketbook in terms of farming AND human health.
9. Yellow Squash/Zucchini
BOTH Yellow Squash and Zucchini have been modified with toxic proteins to make them resistant to insects. Even worse, some of the insecticides can make their way into your body and are not broken down and excreted… making it extremely harmful to eat if you are a pregnant or nursing mamma.
10. Rice
Rice plants have been modified to increase micronutrients such as vitamin A, accelerate photosynthesis, tolerate herbicides, resist pests, increase grain size, generate nutrients, flavours or produce human proteins.[Source]. If at all possible, go Organic on your rice, it’s not that much more in cost- you can find Organic Lundenberg Rice at Costco for just over $1 per lb.
USDA Organic Certification is the preferred holistic approach to the health of your food system, and food produced without chemicals. Since the Non-GMO Project only verifies Meats and Processed Foods (NOT Fresh Produce), buying certified organic produce is the only way to avoid GMO’s in your fresh foods.
So when given the option, should you opt for Organic or Non-GMO? If at all possible, Organic is always the BETTER choice.
Sheryl, thanks for posting this article. I knew about all of them except for alfalfa, yellow squash/zucchini and rice. You can also add GMO salmon to this list. And I’ve read that soon there will be (if not already) GMO potatoes and a GMO apple introduced to the supermarkets. A supposed “compromise” legislation was just introduced into Congress on 6-23-2016 that will outlaw GMO labeling in all states, and after two years will require manufacturers to put a QR code on their products that consumers have to scan with their smart phones to find out if there are GMO ingredients in the product. Much better to just buy organic whole, non-processed foods if at all possible.
I read about the apple .. crazy too, I just told David about it the other day. GMO potatoes are YUCK too! 🙂 You are right, best to stick with whole, non-processed for sure.