Organic vs. Conventional
- Rany Prambs
- Aug 21, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Why I Choose Organic & GMO - FREE
My decision to go organic didn’t come without trade-offs—something had to give. And I was okay with that. I made intentional changes to my lifestyle so I could prioritize eating foods that are organic and or GMO-free. It’s not about perfection or trends—it’s about empowerment. Knowing where my food comes from, how it’s grown, and what’s in it helps me feel aligned, nourished, and in control of what I put into my body.
My Wake-Up Call: Why I Went Organic — Full Throttle
Around 2006, my journey from conventional food to organic wasn’t just a choice — it became a necessity. I was dealing with health issues when I stumbled upon a program that exposed the hidden dangers of high fructose corn syrup(HFCS), a sweetener made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). As I watched, I realized GMOs weren’t just an occasional ingredient — they had spread through our entire food system like a virus.
The very next morning, I grabbed trash bags and started clearing out the cupboards, refrigerator, and pantry basically anywhere I could find food. What shocked me was how deeply entrenched GMOs were in cereals, flours, beverages, and almost everything except frozen vegetables. The labeling of Non-Gmo and organic standards helped to identify how food was grown.
But what really hit me was the impact of HFCS has on men’s health. If it wasn’t good enough for a male, I thought, “Forget that!” That was my aha moment. Like a crazy person, I flipped the switch and went full throttle, making sure everything we ate was organic and or GMO free, from that point on.
The weeks and months that followed were filled with mountains of research into the health and environmental impacts of genetically modified organisms in our food system. It was a real eye-opener that snowballed.
Thankfully, thanks to strict USDA rules and regulations, GMOs are prohibited in all 100% certified organic foods from vegetables to livestock. That gave me a huge sense of relief and reinforced my commitment to choosing organic whenever possible.
Since then, I’ve been passionate about eating clean, whole foods not just for my own health but for the planet, the animals, and the future. It’s been a journey full of learning and discovery, but it all started with that one powerful morning when I decided I’d never go back.
After changing our diet, in the few weeks that followed, we began to notice some surprising changes — both in how we felt and how we responded to certain foods we used to eat without a second thought. we started reacting to certain foods we used to love. That familiar Asian takeout we once craved suddenly gave us cramps. Eating out in general became a challenge, until we began asking questions — What oil do you use? Are there any preservatives? It quickly became clear: switching to an organic diet had created a sensitivity to many of the conventional ingredients.
Around 2009, living in the SF- Bay Area, we began to feel the shift — a growing movement around food awareness. People were asking more questions about how their food was grown and raised. That’s when I joined Slow Food USA as a member, and soon after, I was invited on to become a board member on Slow Food- South Bay, our local chapter. It was empowering to connect with like-minded people who shared the same passion for real, honest food. One of my fondest memories from that time was attending our board meetings often hosted potluck-style at a fellow member’s home. And let me tell you, these weren’t your average potlucks. They were incredible. Homemade, seasonal, thoughtful dishes filled every table. It felt like a foodie revolution — real food, made with love, shared in community.
Those gatherings reminded me that food is more than fuel — it’s connection, culture, and care. The laughter, the shared stories, the pride in every home-cooked dish it was nourishment on every level.
I’m not a food snob. I love eating good food and I just care deeply about what we put into our bodies and how it impacts our health, our communities, and the world around us. What started as a personal shift quickly became a lifestyle.
A Final Thought
Looking back, what began as a reaction to a health scare became a complete transformation — not just in what we ate, but in how we lived. It opened the door to deeper awareness, stronger community, and a greater respect for food and where it comes from.
If you're just starting to question what's on your plate, trust that every small change matters. Read labels. Ask questions. Support your local farmers. And most importantly listen to your body. Real food has the power to heal, connect, and nourish on every level.
Your journey doesn’t have to be perfect just intentional. Start where you are..
Here's my quick intro to the differences Organic Versus Conventional.
Here's some info i'd like to share with you. The EWG website contains useful source of information.
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