Before my health nose-dived at the end of 2009, I don't think I'd ever had organic food. In fact, food as a whole didn't interest me in the slightest. It was simply a means to keep me going through my day. Sometimes I didn't even bother with breakfast, or lunch..I just didn't believe there was enough time in the day for it. My shopping list was this : microwaveable Iceland meals, rigorously sticking to my self-imposed £15 budget. Alcohol and nights out at Uni came first for me at that time. Toad in the Hole was a favourite of mine:
Little did I know how much my physical and mental performance was being hindered. I suppose I learnt the hard way. I was grumpy and on edge in the mornings, and I'd get very sleepy around late afternoon. My blood sugar was often low, meaning I'd usually go for the coca cola pick-me-up, or even a Red Bull. I'd get a quick buzz, and then it would be back to feeling somewhat tired again and unfocused.
It was only once I got diagnosed and referred to a Nutritionist who specialised in my condition, that I realised, firstly, how important a good balanced diet is in the function of a healthy human being (it's basically more important than everything except oxygen and water!), and secondly, the importance of keeping to as many clean fruits and vegetables as possible whilst in recovery. Fast food went out of the window, and along with that, alcohol (most of the time!) In through the window came good quality fruit, veg, and meat (as much organic as I could find!)
Of course, the importance of diet is magnified when going through ME/CFS. To get better can often mean cutting out anything that could be a burden on your body i.e. gluten, wheat, sugar, dairy etc. It's really tough, but it encourages you to get creative, make your stuff from scratch, and be as clean as possible with your food.
It's not always possible to get organic, but if you prioritise what would be really helpful to your body in organic form, and what may not, it makes things much easier. In today's mass consumer society, all our meat is pumped full of anti-biotics to stop them from getting sick. Remember, what goes into them, goes into you once you consume it. And people wonder why we're becoming immune to anti-biotics! The food the livestock consume is also low grade and usually full of pesticides. Again this goes into use and makes our bodies weaker as a result. As a rule of thumb, therefore, I go as organic as I possibly can with meat. Vegetables aren't quite as important, as you can wash off the pesticides with water, a veggie brush, or veggie soap : http://bit.ly/1uxlLK5
Despite this, there are certain vegetables which are intensely sprayed with pesticides throughout the growth process, and are worth getting organic if possible. They're known as the Dirty Dozen (diagram below). The Clean Fifteen signify those lowest in pesticide content.
So...where to buy?
- OCADO - the best range of organic produce I'm aware of AND cheaper than Tesco!
- TESCO/SAINSBURY'S - both have a good quality organic fruit & vegetable range.
- ASDA - lower quality organic, but still organic and cheaper than most other supermarkets.
- WAITROSE - great selection but burns a hole in your wallet!
- PLANET ORGANIC - (if based in London) this is a great chain of purely organic supermarkets across London. Click here for details
- WHOLEFOODS - organic fruit, veg and snack market. Click here to see if there's one near you
- ABEL & COLE - explained in my Vlog below.... All organic fruit, veg, and great quality meat, at a fairly reasonable cost all delivered to your door. You even get a free fruit and veg box with every 4th order Click here for their website
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