There may not be scientific proof to back this up, but organic produce has overcome its once-negative reputation as bland-tasting. Organic foods are fresh and flavorful. They look just as good as, if not better than, produce from chemical farms, and taste even better—especially if grown locally. And eating organic does not condemn you to a diet of nuts and tofu. Today, you can find organic versions of the most popular foods, including runner favorites such as pasta, peanut butter, and even dark chocolate—a postrun treat that's good for your body, the earth, and even your taste buds.Going organic doesn't mean you have to become a vegetarian. Environmental concerns about eating meat come primarily from the methane produced by raising animals in confined lots, which are inhumane, wasteful, and full of diseases, necessitating the overuse of antibiotics. Happily, both meat and dairy products are now produced organically. And while studies have shown that eating too much meat can be unhealthy, animals can be an important component of our nutrition, providing protein, B vitamins, and iron.
Organic foods are a healthier choice—and in more than one way. Studies show some organic foods are higher in antioxidants and cancer-fighting nutrients, such as conjugated linoleic acid. They're also healthier because they contain fewer chemicals. In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers analyzed urine samples of children who ate a chemical food diet and then samples from the same children after eating an organic diet. They found far fewer chemicals in the children's urine the same day they switched to an organic diet—and a return to high levels when they went back to a chemical diet.
