Today we are becoming much fussier about what we eat. We want to consume foods that are healthy and pure. More of us are now actually reading food labels and becoming more savvy food shoppers. We want to know what\u2019s really in our food! Wouldn\u2019t it seem ideal to buy food that is free from pesticides, preservatives, artificial flavours & colours, MSG, hydrogenated oil and processed sugar?<\/p>\n
Sounds like a long list to follow and not everyone may care about what\u2019s in their food, however, more and more organic food is paving its way into our mainstream life whether we are for it or not. And it\u2019s no surprise that organic food and beverages is the fastest-growing categories of the U.S. food industry.<\/p>\n
You can find now find it in leading supermarkets chains and specialty organic stores have popped up across Beirut. It\u2019s still in its infancy in Lebanon (and the Middle East on the whole,) but very much a market with lots of potential. <\/p>\n
The famous farmer\u2019s market Souk el Tayeb brought the concept to the forefront nearly a decade ago and today you can get organic foods from a handful of local suppliers like Biomass and Campagnia in many leading supermarkets. <\/p>\n
There is still no concrete scientific evidence to prove that organic is more nutritious but it does mean you consume fewer pesticides and other genetically modified products, while contributing to the preservation of our precious environment. Whilst with processed foods there are often hidden fats, salt and sugar added. Now that alone is conviction enough to trade your usual canned soup for freshly made lentil soup the next time you get the sniffles!<\/p>\n
In reality for most of us switching to organic it\u2019s still not practical and entirely accessible (remember they are a little more expensive). However, if we could just substitute a few items for organic then we can at least make a start to reducing chemicals in our diet. Here below is a list of items we can go by. The following are ten items that top the list of most pesticide residue found in everyday fruits and vegetables (taken from the Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods to Eat Organic List issued by the US based Environmental Working Group \u2013 www.ewg.org)<\/p>\n
1. Apples \u2013 a high number of different pesticides have been detected in apples, because fungus and insects threats prompt farmers to be over generous with chemical sprays!
2. Celery \u2013 if you can\u2019t get this organic a safer veg alternative is broccoli.
3. Strawberries \u2013 you guessed it if you can\u2019t peel it then better to go organic! If can\u2019t get this in organic a safer fruit alternative is kiwi or pineapple.
4. Peaches \u2013 if can\u2019t get this organic, canned peaches have far less pesticide residue.
5. Spinach \u2013 yes, this is the leading leafy green with pesticide residue! Lettuce comes second on the leafy green contamination list!
6. Nectarines \u2013 if can\u2019t get this organic, substitute for papaya or mango.
7. Grapes \u2013 Imported grapes are said to be high in pesticide residue. In Lebanon we get local grapes too but hard to know if that is a safer alternative. In all cases best to soak in water and vinegar for at least 15 min. (then rinse well) before consuming, if can\u2019t get organic.
8. Sweet Bell Peppers (in all the colours) \u2013 if not organic switch to cabbage or asparagus.
9. Potatoes \u2013 sweet potato is a sweeter alternative with less pesticide residue.
10. Blueberries \u2013 not a widely found fruit in Lebanon\u2019s supermarkets but if can\u2019t get it organic go for frozen. Or simply have tangerine, watermelon or bananas instead!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth checking out the organic specialty stores in town as you will find a variety of products both from local suppliers and from abroad. <\/p>\n
Agora – Badaro – 01\/381710<\/p>\n
A New Earth – Ashrafieh \u2013 Zahret El Ihsan Street – 01\/219920<\/p>\n
Baabda – Contact Mr. Paul Abi Rached – 03\/327975, 05\/920180<\/p>\n
Beirut Bio Center – Galerie Semaan – 03\/788613<\/p>\n
Beirut Health Store – Near Makdessi Street – 01\/743020, 03\/713086<\/p>\n
Beit Soha – Ashrafieh facing Hotel Dieu main gate – 01\/398366<\/p>\n
Biel – Saifi Village – 03\/340198, 03\/118705<\/p>\n
Biobox – Horch Tabet \u2013 near Habtoor Hotel – 70\/212429 (www.bioboxlb.com)<\/p>\n
Bon (Dr. Ziad Dakdouk) – Ashrafieh \u2013 Selim Boustros St.,Dakdouk Bldg. – 03\/364632, 01326110<\/p>\n
Coin Dietetique – Mar Elias (contact Ghada Nahhas) – 03\/238380<\/p>\n
GNC – Bliss Street \u2013 Hamra – 01\/360224<\/p>\n
Hazmieh Naturalia – Next to St. Charles Church – 03\/456566<\/p>\n
Healthy Basket – Ayad Bldg, Adonis Street \u2013 Hamra – 01\/747831, 03\/794438<\/p>\n
Macrodette Organic – Ashrafieh facing Hotel Dieu main gate – 01\/613015, 03636259<\/p>\n
Nature Touch – Ashrafieh next to Roadster restaurant – 01\/566266<\/p>\n
Salam Center – Tayyouneh – 01\/383111<\/p>\n
Smart Food – Hazmieh \u2013 Jisr El Basha – 05\/454123, 76170280<\/p>\n
St. Rita\u2019s House – Ashrafieh \u2013 Sassine Street – 01\/320300, 01\/328401<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today we are becoming much fussier about what we eat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":459821,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_preview_accessed":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"media-embed-type":[],"class_list":["post-16346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"authorship":[160],"yoast_head":"\n