There has been so much quality information written about Organic that for me to add to it seemed redundant. The following is from Greener Choices, a division of Consumer reports.

WHAT THIS LABEL MEANS:

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a fixed set of standards that must be met by anyone using the “organic” label in the United States. These standards were issued in December, 2000, after a 10 year development process. Certifying organizations may not alter the USDA standards for organic certification in any way in order to comply with USDA organic regulations. Certifying organizations are required to maintain conflict of interest disclosures and recognize all other USDA accredited certifying organization’s decisions. Compliance with the standards is assured by USDA which accredits certifying organizations. To see a listing of these organizations, select the Organic Label Area in the navigation bar on your left

Standard Requirements for Organic Production

Fruits, Vegetables, Meat and Poultry
Most synthetic (and petroleum derived) pesticides and fertilizers, and all antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge, are prohibited for use in organic production. In addition, organic animals must eat 100% organic feed that does not contain any of the animal byproducts or growth hormones. Organic animals also must have access to the outdoors. Synthetic materials can only be used in organic production if they are reviewed for appropriateness by the National Organic Standards Board and placed on the National List. All materials on the National List will be retired after five years unless otherwise reviewed again and re-listed.

Originally, the USDA National Organic Program required that all substances used in organic production meet National Organic Program standards. The USDA has since narrowed the definition of substance to ingredient used in organic production. This means that a substance used in processing that may leave residues but that is not actually an ingredient in the final product does not have to have USDA approval.

Lingering Questions about Chickens and the Outdoor Access Requirements
The Organic Food Production Act of 1990 and the National Organic Program explicitly require that organic meat and meat products must come from animals that have been raised outdoors. However, the USDA has drawn a distinction between chickens and other animals. While ruminant animals are guaranteed continuous access to the outdoors without confinement, chickens are not guaranteed continuous outdoor access and can be confined.

Cosmetics and Other Products
On October 21, 2002 the USDA announced that the National Organic Program scope would extend beyond food to many other types of products. These products include pet foods, fabrics, cosmetics, body care products, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, fertilizers, soil amendments; and products from greenhouse, apiculture, and hydroponic systems. Organic labels on these products are not backed up by rigorous standards developed by the National Organic Standards Board in the same way the organic food product labels are.

Tiers of Organic Labeling
One may see one of three labels on an organic product, and they mean different things. The three labels are:

100% Organic
According to USDA’s national organic standard, products labeled as “100 percent organic” can only contain organically produced ingredients. Products containing 100% organic ingredients can display the USDA Organic logo and / or the certifying agent’s logo.

Organic
To be labeled as “organic,” 95% of the ingredients must be organically grown and the remaining 5% must come from non-organic ingredients that have been approved on the National List. These products can also display the USDA organic logo and/or the certifier’s logo.

Made With Organic Ingredients
Food products labeled as “made with organic ingredients” must be made with at least 70% organic ingredients, three of which must be listed on the back of the package and again, the remaining 30% of the non-organic ingredients must approved on the National List. These products may display the certifier’s logo but not the USDA organic logo.

The percentage level of organic ingredients determines what tier of organic labeling should be used. In food products, water and salt are not included calculation of the percentage of organic ingredients. However, for personal care products, water can be included in the organic weight of a product. Since water is usually one of the first three ingredients listed on personal care products, it is easier for personal care products to be organic than food.

Enforcement of these standards appears to be less rigorous on personal care products than on food products. According to the National Organic Program, any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients is prohibited from being labeled organic. However CU has found the term “56% organic” on the front of organically labeled shampoo.

1. USDA
2. Consumer Reports

The USDA states the term “no hormones administered” may be approved for use on the label of beef products if sufficient documentation is provided to the Agency by the producer showing no hormones have been used in raising the animals. (1)

‘The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits the use of all hormones in the raising of hogs or poultry in the United States. Therefore all pork and poultry products that carry the “no hormones administered” or “no synthetic hormones” label only represent the regulations that are already in place for pork and poultry and should not be taken to mean that the manufacturer is doing anything beyond USDA requirements for conventional pork and poultry products.’ (2)

There is no government or official definition for this term except on meat and poultry products as defined by the US Department of Agriculture

For more information on this and other labels the Consumer Reports has a fantastic website. (2)

1. USDA
2. Consumer Reports

There is no government or official definition for this term except on meat and poultry products as defined by the US Department of Agriculture

According to the USDA, meat and poultry may carry the label ‘natural’ when the ‘product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled natural. The label must explain the use of the term natural (such as - no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed.)’(1)

In other words, the meat or poultry cannot contain any artificial flavoring, color ingredients, chemical preservatives, or artificial or synthetic ingredients, and are only “minimally processed” defined by USDA as a process that does not fundamentally alter the raw product. When the “natural” claim is used on meat and poultry, it must also be accompanied with a statement regarding the use of the term such as no added coloring

For more information on this and other labels the Consumer Reports has a fantastic website. (2)

1. USDA
2. Consumer Reports

According to the USDA for meat and poultry the label ‘no antibiotics’ only applies to red meat and poultry. It does is not governed or regulated by the USDA for eggs, cheese, cream, eggs, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. ‘The terms “no antibiotics added” may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if sufficient documentation is provided by the producer to the Agency demonstrating that the animals were raised without antibiotics’ (1)

Use of the term “antibiotic free” or ‘raised without antibiotics’ is considered “un-approvable” by USDA on any meat in poultry products and does not have any standard.

For more information on this and other labels the Consumer Reports has a fantastic website. (2)

1. USDA
2. Consumer Reports

According to the USDA for meat and poultry in order to be labeled ‘Free Range’ or ‘Free Roaming’ the ‘producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside’. (1) This label only applies to poultry; it does not apply to eggs, beef, pork or other animals. For these items the is no standard or enforcement for the label. To learn more about what is meant by this term, consumers must contact the manufacturer.

According to the USDA, producers must provide data and evidence showing the chickens have true access, not just an open door for 45 minutes a week. It does however only govern this access for the adult life of the animal, so a commercial chicken only needs to have access for the last 3 weeks of its 8 week lifespan. The USDA considers five minutes of open-air access each day to be adequate.(2)

For more information on this and other labels the Consumer Reports has a fantastic website. (3)

1. USDA
2. Greener Choices
3. Consumer Reports

Fair Trade is a social movement that seeks to make international trade between developed and developing countries more equitable. Fair trade is concerned with social, economic and environmental sustainability.

International standards, certifications and inspections are set, authorized and carried out by the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations (FLO) International (1) and The International Fair Association for Trade (IFAT) (2). The Fair Trade Federation (3) is the body that governs the USA and Canada. While there are subtle differences in the standards between the three, the basic principle applies to all and the standards of one are aligned with all.

The specific objectives of The International Fair Association for Trade (2) are:

1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.
2. Transparency and accountability.
3. Allowing producers to develop independence.
4. Promoting fair trade.
5. Payment of a fair price, which usually exceeds market price.
6. Gender equity.
7. Safe and healthy working conditions.
8. Respecting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (4), local laws, and social norms if children are involved in the production process.
9. Encouraging sustainable environmental practices.
10. Maintaining long-term relationships with marginalized small producers, rather than maximizing profits at their expense.

For more information on this and other labels the Consumer Reports has a fantastic website. (5)

1. Fair Trade Labeling Organization  (FLO) standards
2. International Fair Association for Trade (IFAT) standards
3. Fair Trade Federation
4. UNICEF
5. Consumer Reports

Within the first few weeks of starting any calorically restricted diet, people loose achieve drastic results. Regardless of if the diet is based on fad or facts, these results often cast validity onto the diet as proof that the diet plan works. Unfortunately the proof of any diet is in the long term success and the initial weight lost on any plan is typically water weight.

Our bodies take carbohydrates we ingest and brake it down into glucose. This is the preferred fuel for the body. When our intake is reduced (less food) the body turns to the glucose stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. For every one gram of glycogen the body stores it stored three grams of water. When the body begins to to break down the glycogen into glucose the water is released and removed from the body as unnecessary. This gives the false appearance of success and assuming victory over the weight would be premature.That is not to minimize your effort. The fact that this is occurring cites that a reduction in overall calories consumed has occurred and, assuming it is balance and healthy, can be taken as a sign of great things to come.

Remember that long-term and healthy weight management requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic lifestyle changes and you should consult your physician prior to starting any weight modification program or new exercise routine.

A lifestyle based on healthy eating and regular physical activity is a recipe for success. This is what we strive for at Avatar with out personalized nutrition programs and personal training

At Avatar our staff seamlessly blends all following modalities Yoga, kettlebells, Pilates, Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic® and resistance training in all of our personal training. Using equipment that adapts to your body and training you with the knowledge of how to effectively and safely change your body and your lifestyle.

When you are ready to see why Avatar is the proud winner of the Best in Cities Personal Training by Citysearch.com and why our clients have such success contact Avatar at info@avatartrainingstudio.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.

I am too much of a fan of pasta and bread to ever consider demonizing carbs. Whoever said that man can not live on bread alone did not have a good baker.

How bread, something that for over 6,000 has been a staple of our diet, can be deemed the reason for obesity is beyond reason and ignores our over-eating and sedentary lifestyle. In fact may traditional diet including Italian, Japanese and Chinese, are high in carbs with foods like grains, rice and vegetable compose the majority of the calories consumed. And in stark contrast Japan traditionally has some of the lowest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes in the world.

High protein diets eliminate several foods like fruits, cereals, breads, grains, starches, backed goods, dairy products, starchy vegetables and sweets. In addition the foods that it allows, meats and fat, are very complex and stay take up to 4 times as long to brake down in the initial digestive process. In essence, people take away most food that is available (eat less) and consume food that leaves the feeling full longer (eat less). In fact, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine 2003, people on high protein low cab diets consume 1200-1300 kcals a day. Considering an active person needs 1500-2000 kcals a day on average, no wonder people loose weight. Its not the carbs, it’s the calories!

What gets people initially hooked, as with many diets, is the immediate loss of weight. This loss is taken as ‘proof’ that the diet works. But, this weight loss isn’t coking from a reduction in body fat rather it coming from water weight. Moreover, consuming a high protein high fat diet contradicts years of studies that have demonstrated that significant correlation between diets high in saturated fats and increased heat disease (1,2) and that diets abundant in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, in other words having the overwhelming majority of calories coming from carbohydrates, may reverse risks of CHD (coronary heart disease).

Long-term and healthy weight management requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic lifestyle changes and you should consult your physician prior to starting any weight modification program or new exercise routine.

A lifestyle based on healthy eating and regular physical activity is a recipe for success. This is what we strive for at Avatar with out personalized nutrition programs and personal training At Avatar our staff seamlessly blends Yoga, kettlebells, Pilates, Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic® and resistance training in all of our personal training. Using equipment that adapts to your body and training you with the knowledge of how to effectively and safely change your body and your lifestyle.

When you are ready to see why Avatar is the proud winner of the Best in Cities Personal Training by Citysearch.com and why our clients have such success contact Avatar at info@avatartrainingstudio.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.

1. Amercian Heart Association
2. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 

Gastric Bypass is a major medical procedure that makes over-consumption of food (at least in short term) impossible and is used as a last tool for weight loss for people who are morbidly obese.

Most patients see a drastic weight reduction within the first 10-14 months but need to take supplements and multivitamins (typically for the rest of their life) to ensure that they

are not nutritional insolvent and maintain their muscle mass. After the first 10-14 months, the patient’s metabolic rate adjusts to the new consumption pattern and reduces. Hence once the honeymoon is over, bariatric patients have a difficult time to continue loosing weight. Only with proper nutrition and exercise is this typically achieved.

Unfortunately, until recently, most programs do not address both the patient’s relationship to food and relationship to exercise. A good program should have a 3-5 year follow through procedure to address just this. Otherwise the weight may come back on due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary decision. Locally Allina hospital is trying to establish a program to do just that. (1)

At Avatar, we have worked with both pre and post bariatric patients and those looking for a long term non evasive means to combat obesity. We take pride in are ability to assist client achieve long term goals and overcome difficult and complex issued. Each client is unique. Each program is unique.

Long-term and healthy weight management requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic lifestyle changes and you should consult your physician prior to starting any weight modification program or new exercise routine.

A lifestyle based on healthy eating and regular physical activity is a recipe for success. This is what we strive for at Avatar with out personalized nutrition programs and personal training

At Avatar our staff seamlessly blends Yoga, kettlebells, Pilates, GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC® and resistance training in all of our personal training. Using equipment that adapts to your body and training you with the knowledge of how to effectively and safely change your body and your lifestyle.

When you are ready to see why Avatar is the proud winner of the Best in Cities Personal Training by Citysearch.com and why our clients have such success contact Avatar at info@avatartrainingstudio.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.

1. Allina Bariatric Center