'Organic' food: worth the cost?

Those who shop organic pay the cost for their health-conscious habits.

                “For a lot of goods, it depends on whether you buy seasonally or not,” said Alex Batchelor, long-time employee of Native Roots, a Norman grocer that sells only locally-produced and organic foodstuffs. “But, for the rest of it, prices are generally higher, because it’s better quality.”

                According to Batchelor, the costs are higher than commercially-produced groceries because organic producers don’t use cost-cutting shortcuts that other producers use. In addition, he points out that the prices are artificially inflated due to the cost of certifying a product as ‘organic’.

                “To be USDA-certified ‘organic’ you actually have to pay the government to come out and certify your food,” said Batchelor, “so things that have the ‘USDA Organic’ logo on them are going to be certified-organic, and that’s good, but there’s going to be an artificial cost inflation due to that.”

                So why do shoppers continue to pay the higher price? According to Batchelor, there are three main incentives that drive the market – the desire to protect the environment and buy goods produced in a ‘green’ way; the desire to preserve and improve one’s health by avoiding harmful preservatives, additives, and pesticides that are often found in non-organic food; and, finally, the desire to eat foods with the best, most unadulterated flavor.

                Charles Reynolds, economics senior, is one such organic shopper. Reynolds claims to buy some, not all, of his groceries at Native Roots and other organic stores. For other goods, he turns to Wal-Mart.

                “I’ll definitely only [eat] organic eggs,” said Reynolds, “but I don’t think some stuff needs to be organic.” Along with eggs, Reynolds cites milk and produce as two other goods that he will only eat organic, willing to pay the extra money to avoid consuming growth hormones and pesticides.

                For goods like flour, sugar, and spices, Reynolds shops at Wal-Mart, claiming that the cost would outweigh the benefit of buying those at Native Roots.

                This cost-benefit analysis varies among consumers, but both Batchelor and Reynolds agree that many foods are worth the extra cost.

                “I’ll pay double the price of a red bell pepper at Native Roots than I would at Wal-Mart happily, because I’ll know it wasn’t showered in pesticides,” said Reynolds. “Health is worth an extra buck.”

'Hydration Stations' quench thirst and cut costs

           ‘Hydration Stations’ around campus enable students to quench their thirst at minimal costs to the environment and their wallets.

            The stations provide a virtually unlimited supply of free, cold, four-time-filtered water. The only thing students have to provide is a bottle to fill.

            Freshmen can fill up at the bottom of any of the dorm towers; students eating lunch at Cate Center can use the station near the north exit instead of buying a drink; those studying at the library refresh their minds and bodies at the station near the west exit.

            The stations enable healthy habits among students. According to David Fukuda, PhD student and graduate assistant at the Health and Exercise Science Center, pure, filtered water is the best beverage choice for the average college student.

            Also, the stations encourage students to consume less sugar through drinks; water is sugar-free, calorie-free, and costs nothing to students.

            The stations are also a way that the University of Oklahoma strives to reduce its carbon footprint. Rather than buying innumerable disposable water bottles per semester, many students carry one refillable bottle. This not only reduces the amount of money they spend, but also reduces the amount of waste the university produces.

            The ‘Hydration Stations’ help students and the university cut costs – in more ways than one. 

Frozen yogurt may melt away pounds

Students seeking a healthy alternative to ice cream as a summer treat can find it at Passionberri, located on Campus Corner, 762 Asp Ave.

            Passionberri’s main product is self-served frozen yogurt, although they also serve crepes, beverages, and similar sweets. Boasting health benefits, the frozen yogurt not only has less of the more unhealthy elements of ice cream, but also provides consumers with surprising nutritional benefits.

           

            According to employees, the yogurt, like ice cream, still provides protein and calcium. However, ice cream lacks an attractive characteristic of frozen yogurt: active yogurt cultures. The yogurt is probiotic, meaning it contains bacteria that occur naturally in the body, and that many can benefit from consuming. These bacteria aid in digestion, boost the immune system, and allow the product to be consumed by lactose-intolerant people.

            Also, most of the flavors are non-fat, and those that aren’t are low in fat. Toppings vary, from candy to fruit, allowing customers to customize their dessert.

            People seeking the traditional, tangy flavor of yogurt can enjoy Passionberri’s Natural flavor, only 25 calories per ounce. Those seeking a fruitier flavor can try the Pomegranate frozen yogurt at only 10 calories per ounce. 

Blending taste and nutrition

           Smoothie King, located 1129 Elm Ave, is now promoting low-calorie smoothies for springtime. Containing 300 calories or less, the wide variety of smoothie choices allows students to enjoy the nutritious beverages without sipping away their daily caloric intake.

           

            “With spring break coming, a lot of kids are sensitive about their weight,” said John Silman, owner of the Norman Smoothie King. “We’re promoting the lower-calorie smoothies for those kids that want to slim down.”

           

            Silman emphasizes the fact that smoothie calories, which come mainly from fruit, are different than calories from less healthy foods, like ice cream. According to him, a 300-calorie drink from smoothie king is more energizing and less fattening than a 300-calorie ice cream treat or milkshake.

           

            The store has a drink for everyone though, not only those who are trying to lose weight. Silman sells high-calorie, high-protein smoothies to students and athletes trying to build muscle, and even to elderly people who are trying to gain weight.

            Smoothie King may help students end the struggle between satisfying their sweet tooth and stifling their caloric intake, providing dozens of combinations that aid in weight loss, weight gain, or just healthy weight maintenance.