March 3, 2010 The Signal page 13
A step-by-step guide to understanding organic food By Andrea Thyrring Staff Writer On a college studentʼs budget, you might be wondering if buying organic food is worth the money. Sure, science tells us that the less pesticides and antibiotics used, the less harmful chemicals we will ingest. However, blindly buying organic food is not necessary to reap the benefits of a balanced diet. Shopping wisely and choosing foods that are worth the organic splurge will keep your spending in check and diet nutritionally sound. We have all heard that it is better for our health. But why buy organic in the first place? Studies show that average nutrition levels are up to 25 percent higher in organic produce. According to Prevention.com, research found that rats fed an all-organic diet had lower weight, less body fat and stronger immune systems. Not only that, but the organic rats slept more soundly and were calmer. Aside from the direct health benefits, eating organic produce also protects you from consuming harmful chemicals. Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables exposes you to about 10 pesticides a day, according to the Environmental Working Group. In a study supported by the Environmental Protection Agency, pesticide levels in childrenʼs urine were measured before and after they were switched to an all-organic diet. In just five days, their chemical levels
decreased to undetectable levels. Eating organic will keep these harmful chemicals out of your body. So how do you know which foods are worth the price of going organic? Remember these two guidelines: First splurge on those with the highest chemical residues (listed in the table) and second, on the foods you eat most often. The 12 foods in the left column have the highest pesticide residue, even after a thorough washing. Eating them in their organic form will lower your dietary pesticide load. If you eat a particular fruit or vegetable more than three times per week, changing to its organic cousin will also prevent you from overloading your body with chemicals. If you frequently purchase meat and poultry to cook on your own, consider choosing organic options. According to a study in the journal, Meat Science, organic chicken contained 28 percent more Omega-3 fatty acids, linked to reduced rates of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and even Alzheimerʼs disease. Animals raised organically are not allowed to be fed growth hormones, antibiotics or feed made from animal bi-products, which can transmit mad cow disease, like conventionally raised animals. Similarly, organic milk is also worth the extra money. According to Prevention.com, it contains 75 percent more beta-carotene — as much as a serving of brussels sprouts. It has 50 percent more vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that aids the immune system and fights cancer and heart disease. It has about 70 percent
Worst (Highest Pesticide Residue)
Best (Least Pesticide Residue)
Peaches Apples Bell Peppers Celery Nectarines Strawberries Cherries Kale Lettuce Imported Grapes
Onion Avocado Sweet Corn Pineapple Mango Asparagus Sweet Peas Kiwi Cabbage Eggplant
more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk. Organic milk also contains more conjugated linoleic acid. This good fat has been linked to numerous health benefits, including stronger immunity, less belly fat, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and healthier arteries. But be wary when you are shopping. Donʼt be fooled by fancy packaging. A lot of stores now carry their own name brand version of organic meats and produce. This budget friendly option provides you with the same nutritional benefits, but without the name brand costs. You are bound to find an organic version of just about anything when you are shopping. But because it contains fewer chemicals does not mean the food is necessarily better for you. Remember, cake
Prepare yourself when selecting roommates By Lauren Gurry Copy Editor As freshmen, most of us were able to choose who our roommates were. Sometimes, this system turns out well and sometimes itʼs disastrous. We think it is good news that we get to choose our roommates after freshman year, but sometimes itʼs not so good at all. You might have numerous people fighting to have you pull them into New Residence Hall next year, or you can live with your best friend and realize you are incompatible roommates. When choosing your roommate for next year, it is helpful to take a step back and consider what kind of person you can relate to, and the following factors should be considered. Living habits – It might not bother you now that your friend down the hall goes for a 6 a.m. run daily, but it probably will bother you when he or she becomes your roommate, and you pulled an all-nighter the night before. “Talk to your roommate about your living styles,” said Kyle Williams, the residence director of Allen, Brewster,
Eickhoff, Ely and Norsworthy halls. “Donʼt be afraid to ask questions like how do you study or what time do you go to bed.” Personality – Many times, personality overlaps with living habits, but as far as personality goes, youʼll be considering factors like party habits, behavior under stress, music preferences and tolerance of company. If your future roommate is very social, ask yourself how often you have people in your room right now. Maybe you prefer visiting a social place to living in one, which will make it difficult to live with a very social friend. “Are they more of a private person, versus someone who is more social?” Williams asked. “Especially as many Upper Class Experience (UCE) rooms exist in a townhouse or apartment as well as some Second Year Experience (SYE) rooms being in suite style rooms or independent rooms versus community bathroom style.” Consider other valuable factors like trust, respect, comfort and being considerate. Say you donʼt think your roommate respects you as a person and your wallet is missing. Youʼll probably assume your roommate had something to do with it, leading to the
Information courtesy of the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
The above chart represents the top 10 most contaminated fruits that expose you to pesticides and the top 10 least contaminated fruits.
bigger issue of trust. Itʼs also important that you and your roommate be considerate of each otherʼs space, belongings and living habits, and also that you feel comfortable spending a lot of time with them. Rooming with your best friend isnʼt always the best idea. As the housing lottery approaches, you may decide you want to live with the new best friend youʼve made at the College. Unless you have a deep understanding about personality and living habits, this probably isnʼt a good idea. Living with your friend can also tear your friendship apart, sophomore English major Emily Dusedau said. She said she has observed many friends having falling-outs this year because they lived together with clashing habits. “Never room with your best friend, especially if you have different lifestyles or expectations regarding guests, study versus sleep time, cleaning habits, etc.,” Tina Tormey, the area director of the Sophomore Year Experience (SYE), said. “Itʼs an awkward and frustrating experience when you canʼt vent to the person you are closest to because (he or she is) the same person that you need to complain about.” For story ideas, e-mail Lauren at gurry2@tcnj.edu.
is still cake, organic or not. Sticking to whole, organic foods is the best way to improve your health and to cut out nutritionally void extras. If you still want the junk foods, compare labels and decide which is the best deal. You donʼt need to spend organic prices on cotton candy. Organic foods clearly provide a beneficial boost to your diet and overall health. But with the high costs associated with organic foods, it is important to shop wisely, especially on a college budget. Evaluate your diet and current spending habits. You might find that you can even save money each month with smarter, and organic, shopping practices. For story ideas thyrrin2@tcnj.edu.
Andrea
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Campus Style and a couple of the standard mall shops like J.Crew and the Gap.
Kristen Kubilus / Staff Writer
By Kristen Kubilus Staff Writer Shaun Quigley Senior English major What are you wearing? Sunglasses by American Optical, jacket by Zara, bandana by The Hill-Side, shirt by the Gap, jeans by Atelier de Production et de Création, and the boots are by Red Wing. Where do you like to shop? I like to shop at lots of different places. I shop at a lot of small boutique shops online or in New York or Philadelphia, but I also like thrift stores, army/navy surplus stores
Whatʼs the first thing you look for when selecting an item of clothing? The first thing that I look for when choosing an item is craftsmanship and build quality. I would rather invest in an item that will stand the test of time, physically and aesthetically, than buy a cheaper piece that is trendy and will fall apart after its first wash. Fit is also extremely important, which can be hard on a college budget. Itʼs pretty difficult to find an item that fits perfectly and doesnʼt cost a fortune, so it often takes a lot of trial and error to pick out the right piece. Form and function are equally important. Iʼm very attracted to a piece if I know that it will look better in 10 years than it did the day I bought it. How has your style changed over the years? In years past, I often bought items that were just fads. I was really bad at putting outfits together. I shopped at the mall too much and wore pieces together that did not mesh at all and probably fit really poorly. Luckily, one day I realized that baggy jeans and shirts that are three sizes too large arenʼt flattering. Read the rest of this interview online at tcnjsignal.net. Want to be featured in Campus Style? E-mail Kristen at kubilus2@tcnj.edu.