Nutrient dense food is not only more healthful for us, but it can also help to improve our agricultural systems.  We have witnessed the results of conventional farming and evidently it’s time to change our food growing methods to ensure that we get the most out of our land and our food.

How do we know if we’re eating nutrient dense food?

Nutrient dense foods are those which contain a high proportion of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients. They are often fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.

The widespread use of synthetic fertilisers and chemicals has resulted in many foods being grown in nutrient-poor soils. This means that even if a food is not processed, it may still be lacking in the nutrients our bodies need.

How to Identify Nutrient Dense Food

Nutrient dense food looks much the same as nutrient devoid food, which is how the synthetic fertilisers and chemicals managed to become so widely used in our food production.  The chemical content is out of sight and out of mind.

Fresh produce that has been grown with artificial fertilisers are sometimes larger, and more watery.  This is due to the plants adaption methods that it undertakes in order to assimilate the artificial substances.  This can also make them tasteless.

Otherwise, it is difficult to visually tell nutrient dense produce apart from other produce, which means you would need to ask your fresh food supplier how the food is farmed.

How does Nutrient Dense Food differ?

Nutrient dense food contains genuine minerals and trace elements, which the human body needs, and is grown in chemical free, fertile soil, with organic minerals and trace elements available.

A healthy soil microbiome, is soil that has been built using and number of natural farming methods which include plant diversity, applying natural inputs and using regenerative principals.

Living soil is a crucial foundation to all living things, and is the only place where nutrient dense food is grown.  Fertile soil is key to ‘real’ human health.

When you eat nutrient dense food, you don’t need to eat as much.

We get hungry because our body needs minerals, which is fuel.  A healthy balance of minerals, through a diverse nutrient dense diet, helps the body function optimally.  Food that is devoid of real minerals ultimately does not satisfy, so we crave more.

How do minerals get into the plant food?

Quality soil contains millions of invisible workers that enable nutrients to be delivered into the plant.

Beneficial microorganisms feed the soil and plants, along with many other roles in the complex web of microbes and fungi that occupy the soil.  Chemicals, pesticides and an overuse of synthetic fertilisers, damage beneficial soil microorganisms and impair their intricate network for communicating.

A REAL Health Insurance Policy

Chemical free farming is important when it comes to human health and the future health of our planet.  More regenerative farming is essential on the planet today.  It makes sense then, that we start individually to take steps toward supporting the regeneration of nature.

How can we Support Regenerative Farming?

1. Find out where your fresh food is coming from and local farms that can supply you.  Ask them about their farming methods.  Let them know you are looking for food grown in chemical or synthetic free soil.

2. Investigate what ‘organic’ means in your country.  In some countries the ‘organic’ criteria means farms are allowed to use synthetic fertilisers.  Do your own research.

3. Eat what is in season.  By doing so, it will automatically drive more demand/business toward local producers instead of to overseas imports.  Did you know that ‘everything’ that is classed as food entering Australia is irradiated?

4. Buy locally grown and locally supplied.  This is the way we get to move toward regenerative farming quicker.  Farmers meet demands.  If the demand is for chemical or spray free food, that is where farming will go.

5. People have the power.  Ask questions, request nutrient dense food, grow your own!

 

You Might Also Like…

Lacto-Fermentation Vs Vinegar Pickling

Lacto-fermentation and vinegar pickling are two popular methods of food preservation that have been used for centuries. While they both involve the...

Heat Stress In Plants: Prevention and Recovery

When plants are exposed to periods of high heat stress, it can have detrimental effects on their growth and overall health. However, one effective...

7 Cost Saving Methods To Improve Soil Fertility

Improving soil fertility, cost effectively, is a key focus for farmers and gardeners alike. By adopting sustainable, regenerative farming practices,...

Discover the Top 5 Benefits of Regenerative Farming Practices

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction worldwide, and Australia is no exception. This innovative approach to farming offers numerous benefits...

How To Build Soil Biology for Optimal Crop Resilience

Soil biology plays a crucial role in the health and productivity of crops. By understanding how to build soil biology, farmers can enhance crop...

How To Grow Your Own Organic Garlic in Australia

To grow organic garlic in Australia requires a bit of planning. By following the right steps, however, you can cultivate a healthy crop of nutrient...

Top 3 Biological Fertiliser Strategies for Dry Times

During dry times, it is critical for farmers to maximise their return on investment (ROI) when it comes to fertilisation. One effective approach,...

Livestock Digestive Function: The Key to Improving Feed Efficiency

Livestock digestive health plays a crucial role in optimising net profit per acre. One key aspect of livestock digestive health is feed efficiency....

Top 2 Most Cost Effective Pasture Cropping Tips

When it comes to pasture cropping, the general rule of thought is, if you have healthy soil, you you have healthy plants.  This is true, however the...

Key Benefits Of Using Liquid Seaweed Fertiliser for Plants

Liquid Seaweed Fertiliser has gained popularity among gardeners and farmers due to its numerous benefits for plants. Derived from mineral rich...

Enhance Rumen Microbiota in Calves with Probiotic Support

In the world of animal agriculture, the health and well-being of livestock is of utmost importance. When it comes to calves, ensuring their optimal...

Reducing Mould and Algae Growth on Microgreens

The process of seed germination is crucial for successful plant growth. In this section, we will explore the impact of using Biological Seaweed...

Liquid Fertiliser vs Dry Fertiliser

Liquid fertiliser is a popular choice among farmers due to its numerous advantages over dry fertilisers. In this article, we will explore the...

The Vital Role of the Ocean in Agriculture: 3 Key Contributions

The ocean provides an abundant natural resource of rich minerals, and contains much more than sodium salt; about 84 elements have been detected in...

Why Your Soil Needs Biology More Than Minerals

Does adding minerals to the soil provide the same benefits to plants as building the soil's biology? Beneficial microorganisms in the soil have more...

7 Reasons why Farmers are Shifting to Organic Nitrogen Fertilisers

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, many farmers are moving away from using chemical nitrogen and toward...

Maximize Livestock Nutrition with the Ultimate Nutrient-Dense Diet

The digestive system of ruminant animals is specially adapted to extract maximum nutrition from plants they have eaten.  The digestive system...

How to Increase Soil Fertility through Mixed-Species Planting

Multi-species planting and pasture cropping can provide a number of benefits to the soil, including improved soil structure, weed control, increased...