Why does, or should I unbiasedly ask, does organic matter?
This past week, this was the topic of debate at a powerful industry gathering hosted by leading organic companies: Nature’s Path, Amy’s Kitchen, Organic Valley, Late July, Lundberg Farms, Pangea, Numi teas as well as the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Representatives from the companies, the OTA, and myself (on behalf of AKA ashleykoffapproved.com) presented to and discussed the state of organics with editors from Rodale, along with members of the Rodale Institute (what an amazing place!). Here’s what came up:
1) Organics are doing great! Despite a down economy, organic sales arent slowing in fact they are growing. Industry findings show that while consumers may be purchasing their organics at different locations (think Wal-Mart vs Whole Foods, or bulk buy vs single packs) they are still turning to their organic choices.
2) What does organic stand for? Simply put, do you want to a) eat food OR b) eat food + pesticides…organic may have suffered a lack of definition in its early days, but today the message is clear. Clean food, please.
3) Is organic a food trend anymore? While other trends may be making the news more often (Gluten-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Probiotics…) what is clear from a nutrition standpoint is that organic must be the foundation of a healthy diet. If you have an auto-immune disease (the body is attacking itself) like celiac disease and as such follow a gluten-free diet but you consume processed, conventional (not organic) foods you may be getting rid of a major irritant BUT you have not given the body what it needs to heal. Likewise, if you are attempting to resolve digestive complaints (taking a good quality, clinically proven probiotic strain like bifantis) but you don’t switch to organic, you still consume potential irritants to the digestive tract.
4) How can I afford organic? Frozen organic fruits and vegetables, bulk organic (economy packs of Nature’s Path cereals for example), portion control, shopping the farmers markets, cooking versus eating out….and the list goes on - and remember, this may be a flawed question. Perhaps the dollars are worth it today as organic may cost more at the register but the health benefits can accrue thousands of dollars worth of savings in the short (cold / flu prevention) and long run (chronic disease).
5) Just because it says Organic is it healthy? No. Keep in mind, organic sugar is sugar. Yes, it doesnt contain pesticides, but no, it isnt a free food. Same principles of nutrition for optimal health (see the AKA menu worksheet at www.ashleykkoffapproved.com under client resources) apply in the organic space.
Net, net. Yes. Organic Matters.
About Ashley Koff R.D.
Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian (R.D.) who strives to make better nutrition a way of life for all. Koff has the proven ability to demystify the science of nutrition and communicate the importance of a healthy lifestyle to clients in a way that instills loyalty and trust. Never preachy, Koff’s clients truly admire her gentle and patient way of finding the correct and effective nutritional program to suit their individual needs. Her passionate style is effective, resulting in Koff being named by Citysearch as LA’s “Best Nutritionist” three years running.
Celebrity client Emily Deschanel attests: “Ashley is the most knowledgeable nutritionist that I have ever worked with. She really cares about her clients and wants them to have optimum health. Ashley helped me find a way to have lots of energy while working very long days. She's able to work around food intolerances and address different personal nutritional needs. It seems like there is nothing she doesn't know about nutrition.”
Koff launched AKA (
ashleykoffapproved.com) in 2008 as a way to house all aspects of her private practice, nutritional endorsement opportunities, as well as her corporate consulting company (formerly the healthXchange). With AKA, consumers of all demographics can readily identify products that meet Koff’s standards for nutrition resulting in optimal health. Under the AKA umbrella, Koff also offers business-to-business consulting.
Koff is regularly sought after by the most trusted names in nutrition and medicine. She counsels patients on referral from Dr. Andrew Weil (Program in Integrative Medicine) and has served as guest faculty for PIM's fellowships. She is also the exclusive R.D. to patients of integrative medicine guru Dr. Soram Khalsa and receives referrals from the world-renowned Tao of Wellness. “Ashley is an instrumental player in the field of nutrition. I trust she will no doubt transform the industry; she sets the bar for what it means to be an influential and responsible leader in health and wellness,” says Dr. Andrew Weil.
Ashley Koff has authored her own book;
Recipes for IBS (Fair Winds Press 2007), a cookbook and treatment plan for digestive wellness. Several pharmaceutical companies purchased the book as a resource for gastroenterologists worldwide. Koff was also hired by many of the same pharmaceutical companies for television and radio media tours on digestive wellness topics based on the content of her book.
Koff is in demand as a consultant to many authors debuting books next year:
Collaborating with celebrity trainer and fitness icon Kathy Kaehler, their highly anticipated 2009 book on “mom energy” will feature real life makeovers for moms of all ages.
The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide (May 2009), written by
The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck called upon Koff to be her R.D. expert on nutritional information because “her advice is so sensible and realistic, and that's what I want to offer my readers.”
Integrative Gastroenterology (fall 2009), Koff lends her knowledge to Dr. Andrew Weil's textbook look at dietary goals for IBS patients.
Food Cures, the 2008
Reader’s Digest publication that examines food-based remedies for the entire range of diseases and symptoms from A to Z. Koff was a consultant.
AKA’s client list includes entertainment studios, where Koff works to improve the quality of food selections on production sets and locations. In addition, Koff consults with The An Family Restaurants - home to Crustacean Beverly Hills – as they will soon launch new cafes nationwide. The An Family brought in Koff to identify menu items that support optimal immune function. Another client, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, brought Koff on staff as a dietitian from 2004 to 2007.
Koff’s R.D. expertise and extensive client base have led to her collaboration with numerous media outlets including
The New York Times, Reader's Digest, CNN, Shape, InStyle, Yoga Journal, Teen Vogue, Women's Health, Natural Health, Allure, Entertainment Tonight, and Food & Wine. She also sits on the prestigious advisory board at
Fitness magazine.
The daughter of a surgeon, Koff was privy to an insiders look at the art of medicine at a very young age. An intense curiosity, coupled with her interest in preventive healthcare, lead to Koff’s desire to personalize and improve her own health regime. Immediately, she was hooked on a path of dietetic education and independent study efforts to explore the healing practices of the world.
Educated at both Duke and New York Universities, Koff trained at LA+USC and Columbus Children's hospitals. Koff also completed integrative medicine coursework for certification as a certified clinical nutritionist (CCN).
Koff loves to travel and connect with people, learning from different cultures about alternative food and wellness practices. She enjoys comedy and satire, believing that using humor is one of the most effective learning methods – especially when it comes to nutrition. Koff's clients are drawn to her approachability and capacity to personalize implementation plans through a unique method of ongoing evaluation and feedback. They also value her joy of life, sense of humor, and her deep caring for their well-being.
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