Dedicated Dávlia: A Journey to find the “Confidence from Knowing What I’m Eating”

By: Elizabeth Zabel, Dietetic Intern, August 30, 2010

A dedicated, aspiring individual, April Dávila, recently published an article in “YES! Magazine” discussing her journey to discover the truth behind where her food products originated. Her mission began after reading an article published on the health effects associated with eating Monsanto’s genetically modified “GM” corn. Evidence from this article demonstrated that rats fed GM corn experienced kidney and liver damage. Curious as to the extent to which she and her family consumed GM products in their diets, April Dávila began to research Monsanto’s GM products and found that nearly 70 to 80% of American processed foods contain GM ingredients from this company. Furthermore, she came to find out that many animals were fed by GM products and some cows were even given GM hormone (recombinant bovine growth hormone, rBGH) to increase milk production.

In an effort to eliminate GM foods from her diet, April Dávila set forth on a mission to find out exactly where her food was coming from. She found within a few days this was quite the effort, and began to learn how large corporations really do influence and lead the global food market. Although it took some time to free herself from Monsanto’s products, April was successful and learned the only true way to avoid the GM food market is “to speak with the person who grows your food-every ingredient of every bite!”

Some tips April Dávila offers for those of you interested in decreasing or eliminating GM food from their lives include:
• Avoid processed foods, especially those with HCFS (high fructose corn syrup)!
• Consider going vegetarian or buying grass-fed varieties!
• Buy organic dairy!
• Buy organic cotton! Did you know that 16% of world’s pesticides are contained on Monsanto’s cotton?! These pesticides then end up in our water supply :(