How Do I Avoid Eating GMOs and Genetically Altered Food?

I'm a mother, environmental scientist & former Covid contact tracer who does research on a variety of health-related topics. Copyright 2021

Genetically Modified Foods

The best way to avoid eating genetically modified food is to buy organic since genetically altered foods are not permitted in organic certified foods. Since labels in the U.S. are not required to show that foods are genetically engineered, it's difficult to know what you are buying. Even natural foods stores like Whole Foods stock genetically engineered foods. Because a high percentage of certain crops are grown from genetically modified seeds they are a higher risk ingredient in processed foods.

For understanding what genetically modified foods are and why we want to avoid them, see my other articles listed below under Articles in this GMO Series.

Copyright © 2018 Melis Ann

Helpful Hints to Avoid GMOs

1. buy organic to avoid genetically altered crops and ingredients
2. look for products with the "Non-GMO Project" seal
3. avoid dairy products from animals treated with genetically modified hormone rbGH (either buy organic or from a dairy that does not use rbGH)
4. avoid high risk ingredients such as corn, sugar, soy, canola, cottonseed
5. avoid aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal brands) which is genetically modified
6. when dining out, ask about oils used in cooking - go for olive oil
7. avoid mayonnaise and salad dressings unless organic
8. eat grass-fed animals or wild caught seafood to avoid meat from animals that have eaten genetically modified feed
9. eat eggs from animals that have been fed an organic diet or pasture raised
10. buy non-GMO seeds for gardening
11. buy direct from local farms or farmer's market that farm with non-GMO seeds and organic methods
12. join community supported agriculture - receive a weekly share of in-season produce during the growing season
13. foods and ingredients that may be genetically modified include: infant formula, corn starch, powdered sugar (contains corn starch), margarine, crackers, ice cream, baking powder, veggie burgers, peanut butter, enriched flour and pasta, vanilla, alcohol, bread, fried foods, chocolate, soy lecithin, cereal, tomato sauce, tofu, tamari, soy sauce
14. honey can be from GM pollen

Take It With You - Download NoGMO Shopping Guide App

• App Store - ShopNoGMO
  Take this shopping guide with you to check GMOs in products as you shop. Download ShopNoGMO and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Resources: Organic Farms, Non-GMO Shopping Guide and The Non-GMO Project

• Find Organic Farms and Community Supported Agriculture
  Find locally grown produce anywhere in the country! Use our map to locate farmers markets, family farms, CSAs, farm stands, and u-pick produce in your neighborhood.
• Non-GMO Shopping Guide
  Visit this website to download a pdf list of the 150 brands of products currently enrolled in the Non-GMO Project. Available in English and Spanish.
• The Non-GMO Project
  Use this website to search non-GMO options by food category or brand name.

Disclaimer
Note that this website portrays my opinion. I want to help others consider a new or different view. Any action taken based on these opinions is the responsibility of the reader.

Copyright © 2018 Melis Ann
Original content written by Melis Ann published only on HubPages at the following web address: http://melisann.hubpages.com/hub/How-Do-I-Avoid-Eating-GMOs

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Articles in this GMO Series

• What Genetically Modified Foods Do to Our Bodies: Say No to GMOs
  Understand what the scientific community is reporting about the effects of eating genetically modified foods.
• What You Need To Know About Corn: Healthy Popcorn and GMOs
  Understand how to choose corn products that are more healthy and how to make healthier popcorn at home.
• 8 Steps to Take Action Against Genetically Modified Organisms in Food: No More GMOs
  There are a few simple steps everyone can take against GMOs in the food supply.

Oprah and GMOs

• From Oprah O-Magazine: How to Reduce Exposure to GMOs
  

Avoiding GMOs

Because a high percentage of certain crops are grown from genetically modified seeds they are a higher risk ingredient in processed foods. Avoid eating genetically modified food by buying organic. Hopefully, GMO labeling will be required for food products in the future, but using this list will allow you to avoid them now.

© 2012 Melis Ann

Comments

Melis Ann (author) from Mom On A Health Hunt on April 15, 2012:

Thanks for your comment Ciel. Adopting a few strategies to avoid GMOs goes a long way. It becomes very simple after studying labels. I hope that soon, GMOs are labeled for all to see!

Ciel Clark from USA on April 14, 2012:

Good hub Melis Ann, -- I have been disappointed by some foods and products from my health food store: It would be nice to be able to trust a particular store! But of course, best to do our own research. Thanks for the info, voted up and useful.

Melis Ann (author) from Mom On A Health Hunt on March 25, 2012:

Thanks marywanders for the vote. Nice to know that others feel that knowing how to avoid genetically modified foods is important.

marywanders from minnesota on February 24, 2012:

up and useful thanks

Melis Ann (author) from Mom On A Health Hunt on February 24, 2012:

Thanks for the comment cloverleaffarm. Growing your own organic food is rewarding for many reasons, one of them being no-GMOs!

Healing Herbalist from The Hamlet of Effingham on February 24, 2012:

We grow our own!