Diet and Nutrition Resource Guide

Genetically Modified Food

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism and is a form of biotechnology. The

term GMO is one that has become widely known because of controversy in the media.

Genetically Modified Organisms have their genetic makeup altered through lab processes to

produce desired outcomes. The issue of food being altered with genes or DNA from other

organisms has concerned consumers. There are potential risks and benefits of these scientific

interventions to the food supply.

Resources:

https://www.bio.org/category/plant-biotechnology This website offers readers

information about biotechnology. There are multiple resources to learn the background

of biotechnology and how it relates to plants and animals.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?

contentidonly=true&navid=AGRICULTURE&contentid=BiotechnologyFAQs.xml The

USDA (2015) explains what agricultural biotechnology is and addresses the safety

concerns, as well as some of the regulations.

http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Deception-Government-Genetically-

Engineered/dp/0972966587 Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith is a book that

discusses some of the more controversial and often hidden information regarding

genetically modified foods.

https://youtu.be/a6OxbpLwEjQ Gary Null produced a movie about genetically modified

food and the hidden truth behind the industry. The video leaves the audience with

questions regarding the safety of GMOs and motivates consumers to make educated
 decisions about what they will eat. The controversy about GMOs continues even years

after genetically modified food was made available in the food industry.

Organic Food

Encarta defines organic food as food that is grown naturally without synthetic pesticides,

growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified seeds and animal breeds, and irradiation (as

cited in Kaplan University, n.d., para. 10). Organic food is grown with natural pest deterrents

like ladybugs and praying mantises. Organic food differs from conventional food, and it is

important to know the difference in order to be an educated consumer. People concerned about

their health want to avoid added antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides. Organic food is more

expensive than non-organic grown food. Organic food can increase the grocery bills and be a

financial burden for families. Many people want to limit their chemical consumption, but they

feel they cannot afford to purchase only organic food. Following the Environmental Working

Groups (EWG) Dirty Dozen list can help people consume fewer chemicals on the foods that

have the highest residue of pesticides (EWG, 2015a, para. 1). The following resources provide

information to consumers about the organic food industry and the current issues that exist.

Resources

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-

depth/organic-food/art-20043880 The Mayo Clinic discusses organic food on their

website. Various topics are addressed, such as how to identify organic food, whether or

not organic food is more nutritious, and the considerations for buying organic food.
http://www.ota.com/ The Organic Trade Association website is for those in the organic

industry and provides information, networking opportunities, updated news, and

membership opportunities.
 https://www.organicconsumers.org/ The Organic Consumers Association provides this

website for consumers to stay educated on organic food and the various issues that

surround the organic food industry.

http://www.ewg.org/foodscores The Environmental Working Group provides a tool

online where consumers can evaluate the health and safety of the food they eat. This tool

ranks food on the level of nutrient content, ingredients, and processing methods. Food

groups can be entered in to find the healthiest product with the safest ingredients. Foods

that are not organic and contain hormones and antibiotics can be identified.

Contemporary Weight Loss

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic due to a more sedentary lifestyle and

consumption of energy-dense food that is high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. Obesity leads

to chronic diseases and can reduce ones quality of life. Early prevention of weight gain is the

most efficient way to reduce obesity in the population. The following resources help the general

public to understand weight loss and inform consumers about safe methods to achieve their

goals.

Resources

http://www.cspinet.org/new/weight_loss.html The Centers for Science in the Public

Interest provides this article on obesity and how researchers and authors would like the

government to get more involved in helping people to lose weight.

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html The U.S. National Library of

Medicine is a resource for health information including weight loss and obesity.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/diet-pills-directory WebMD provides information on

weight loss, diet pills, and information on weight loss basics.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/AIM_Pocket_Guide_tagged.pdf The

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides a PDF pocket book to help
people maintain a healthy weight. This tool educates people about how to choose healthy

food, how to measure portions, and how to order healthy options at restaurants.
 References

Biotechnology Industry Organization. (2015). Plant biotechnology. Retrieved from

https://www.bio.org/category/plant-biotechnology

Centers for Science in the Public Interest. (2000). Nutrition experts and diet-book authors urge

government to test weight-loss plans.

Environmental Working Group. (2015a). Dirty dozen. Retrieved from

http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php

Environmental Working Group (2015). Food Scores. Retrieved from http://www.ewg.org/foodscores

Kaplan University. (2008). Unit 6 The organic food movement: Lesson 1 What is organic food? [pdf].

Retrieved from http://extmedia.kaplan.edu/healthSci/HW220_1204C/6_lesson1.pdf

Mayo Clinic. (2015). Nutrition and healthy eating. Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-

food/art-20043880?pg=2

Null, G. (Producer). (2013, May 23). Seeds of death: Unveiling the lies of GMOs-Full movie [Video

file]. Available at https://youtu.be/a6OxbpLwEjQ

Organic Consumers Association. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.organicconsumers.org/

Organic Trade Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ota.com/

Smith, M. (2003). Seeds of Deception. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing.

Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Deception-Government-Genetically-

Engineered/dp/0972966587

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2015). Obesity. Retrieved from

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html
United States Department of Agriculture. (2015). Biotechnology frequently asked questions.

Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=AGRICULTURE

&contentid=BiotechnologyFAQs.xmlhttp://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?

contentidonly=true&navid=AGRICULTURE&contentid=BiotechnologyFAQs.xml

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Maintaining a healthy weight on the go

[pdf]. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/doc/public/heart

/AIM_Pocket_Guide_tagged.pdf

WebMD. (2015). Diet pills directory. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/diet-

pills-directory