ORGANIC NUTRITION •••

ORGANIC NUTRITION ••

 Different diets and diets are becoming popular from time to time.  There is an intense interest in organic products and organic nutrition within the framework of healthy life and nutrition understanding. Dr Expert Dietician, said, “It is impossible to attribute a miraculous meaning to a single food or food group.  For a healthy diet, five basic food groups should be consumed in a sufficient and balanced way during the day. "  says.

The search for a long and healthy life made different dietary patterns, food diversity and preferences debatable.  In this context, organic foods, organic nutrition and their effects on health are among the most curious topics.  We had an enlightening interview with Dr, an expert dietician in order to eliminate the question marks in minds.  In addition to his studies on nutrition, Dilara Koçak also carried out awareness-raising activities with the slogan "The planet is sick, the soil is sick, the air is sick, the water is sick". "When consuming a food, it is necessary to consider not only its benefit or harm, but also its effects on the planet.  He approaches the issue of nutrition from a different angle.

 

 Can we listen to the concepts of organic food and organic nutrition that we have heard frequently especially in recent years?

 Organic food refers to foods that use only natural ingredients in both their cultivation and processing.  In other words, if we call a food organic, it should not contain additives such as artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics.  In fact, the term organic tells us how that food is produced.  We can think of organic nutrition as a diet based entirely on these foods.

 

 Are organic foods healthier?

 Of course, as the amount of additives in the content of foods increases, the question marks about health increase.  The important thing here is not to give up our traditions and traditional foods when we say that we will eat organic food.  Many traditional foods can also be produced organically.

 

 "THERE ARE TENS OF DISEASES THERE ARE TREATED WITH NUTRITION"

 What is the relationship between nutrition and diseases?

 Nutrition;  Although today it comes to the fore with weight loss and weight loss, I can say that this is only a very small part of our job.  Dozens of diseases treated with nutrition and health problems caused by both malnutrition and overnutrition are the most important parts of our business.  Years ago, Hippocrates said, "Let food be your medicine, not medicine."  he said.  There are many foods that contribute to our healthy diet with the nutrients and physiological active ingredients they contain.  At the same time, they have the potential to reduce disease risk.  In addition, it should not be forgotten that inadequate and poor quality nutrition triggers many chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

 

 GOOD AGRICULTURE, FAMILY FARMING AND TRADITIONAL METHODS

 Is organic nutrition a solution for a healthier life?  What is the role of organic nutrition in the prevention of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, diabetes and cancer that occur depending on dietary habits?

 It would not be correct to say that organic nutrition is a stand-alone solution.  Organic foods can be challenging on a budget and not everyone has access to organic food at all times.  At this point, I advocate natural nutrition with the best possible agriculture, family farming and traditional methods.  We need to keep packaged products containing additives and intense preservatives away from our lives as much as possible.  With a natural and healthy diet as much as possible, we can obtain a protective shield against many diseases.

 

 How should a natural relationship be established between organic nutrition and a balanced diet?

 Even if it is beneficial for health, every food contains calories and unfortunately, more of each food is stored as fat in our body.  So I'm sorry, but you can also gain weight by eating organic and natural foods.  It is necessary to consider a balance in this regard.  It is impossible to attribute a "miraculous" meaning to a single food or food group.  There are five basic food groups of a healthy diet: milk, meat, vegetable and fruit, cereal and fat groups.  If you take all of them in a sufficient and balanced way during the day, you are eating a healthy and balanced diet.

 

 SEMESTER POPULAR DIETS

There has been an intense interest in organic products and nutrition issues in recent years.  What do you think are the factors that create this interest in individuals?

 It is a fact that interest in healthy nutrition has increased in recent years.  Because now it is very easy to access information.  There is almost every information you need on digital and social media and it is spreading very quickly.  From time to time, many diets or diets are popular.  It is extremely important to make sure you get the right information from the right source.  The fact that good life and healthy nutrition, a concept that I have been focusing on for years, are in the focus of everyone makes me happy, but it also worries me.  Recently, the number of speakers is increasing, although they do not have as much knowledge as those who speak on this subject, although they are not experts.  Unfortunately, this information pollution causes individuals to suffer the most.  It is very important to ignore the statements of non-experts and to be conscious.

 

 It is stated that organic foods contain more Omega-3s than traditional foods.  What are the benefits of Omega-3?

 The scientific data that the organic product contains more Omega-3s is somewhat controversial.  It is difficult to say anything for sure.  Omega-3 is an unsaturated fatty acid that cannot be made by our body and must be taken from outside.  It is divided into two as dha and epa fatty acids.  These fatty acids play an important role in the prevention and treatment of some diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, depression, cancer, immune system disorders.  It keeps our cells working at their best.  Studies show that the consumption of fish rich in Omega-3 three times a week can even prevent depression.

 

 "PLANET DIET" MODEL

 Which diet model would you recommend to our readers for organic nutrition?

 The diet model that I have emphasized a lot in recent years and emphasized at every opportunity is "Sustainable Nutrition" and "Planetary Diet".  Because now, with every bite we throw in our mouth, we need to think not only about ourselves but also our planet.  In nutrition programs, we have always focused on adequate and balanced nutrition and the health benefits of foods.  But now we need to attribute much more meaning to foods than health benefits.  When consuming a food, it is important to consider not only its benefit or harm to us, but also its effects on the planet.  For this reason, I would like to remind once again that it is important to choose natural and organic foods from our country and from our region.  When we consider the carbon footprint and water footprint of distant food, the cost to nature increases enormously.  We must remember that when we return to our traditions and turn to nature, we can actually protect both our nature, our body and our future.

 

 IS EVERY "ORGANIC" PRODUCT ORGANIC?

 Too many products with organic labels started to appear on the shelves and counters.  What would you say about the importance and reliability of labeling organic products?

 The importance of reading labels on this subject is once again revealed.  Because some expressions such as "natural, additive-free, bio, eco, natural" written on the products may not always mean that the product is organic.  The presence of an organic label on the product does not mean that the product is an organic product.  When choosing an organic product, we should definitely see the organic agriculture logo and the information that it is produced in accordance with the Organic Agriculture Legislation.  Of course, it doesn't end with that either.  Many information such as the ingredients of the product, place of manufacture, production and expiry date should also be included on the label.

 

 VEGETABLE FOODS SHOULD BE PREFERRED

 Which one should be preferred for consuming animal and vegetable proteins in organic nutrition?  Why is that?

 I think both should be in a balance.  Considering the planetary diet and sustainable nutrition I just mentioned, I can say that animal-based foods are replaced by more plant-based foods.  Because the cost of each food to nature is different.  For example, 1500 liters of water is required to produce one kilogram of grain, whereas 15 thousand liters of water is required to produce one kilogram of meat.  In other words, by feeding more animal sources than we need, we can harm not only our body but also nature.  For the good of ourselves and our world, it will be a more correct nutritional behavior to give more weight to legumes, which are vegetable protein sources, and to increase the consumption of vegetables, fruits, grains and oil seeds.

 

 DAMAGES OF AGRICULTURAL DRUGS

What kind of damages do drugs used in agriculture cause to human body and health?

 Pesticides (agricultural poisons) are toxic chemicals used in agricultural production.  Therefore, it may leave residue in foods.  Eating residual products can cause various health hazards, acute or chronic, depending on the dose of the poison taken.  It causes health problems such as infertility, reproductive health disorders, hormonal and nervous system disorders and cancer.  In this context, I like and support the Non-Toxic Tables Project carried out by the Wheat Association in cooperation with the European Union.

 

 With the coronavirus pandemic, it was once again seen that health is the most important agenda item of all humanity.  How do you think this period affected the orientation to organic products and diet?

 You are right, the healthy diet that we have been focusing on for years has come to the fore much more during the coronavirus period.  Especially during this period, many people sought miraculous foods that strengthen the immune system and provide protection from viruses, and they continue to search.  Organic products are of course one of the most preferred products in this period for a healthier diet and to support the immune system.  However, there is no single food or application that strengthens the immune system.  Good life and nutrition are thanks to the continuity of a huge whole and a strong immune system.