"Chemical That May Cause Infertility Found in Cheerios, Quaker Oats" - People
"No, Eating Cheerios Won't Give You Fertility Issues, Despite Recent Study Reports" - Women's Health
These are two headlines that came across my social media feed within 10 days apart.
It's maddening for anyone reading these headlines; whether you're an average consumer/buyer - especially one who is TTC, an honest bystander reading two conflicting headlines, or especially for a certified health coach that specializes in gut health and hormone health and is TTC.
What's even more disheartening is that the second headline came from, what I thought to believe, was a reputable health source. In that article they continue to write:
[ "Indeed, a new study found that chlormequat - a chemical used as a plant growth regulator - was found in 92 percent of oat-based foods purchased in May 2023, including Cheerios and Quaker Oats, per The New York Post. But, the oat samples contained less than a hundredth of the levels that are considered "unsafe," nutrition expert Adrian Chavez, PhD.
"This should have no impact on your day-to-day choices," Chavez tells his followers in a recent Instagram video. "This is another prime example of the media sensationalizing the topic of nutrition and confusing the general public." ]
Excuse me, what?
This is outrageous! This article is so infuriating that it's almost laughable.
Here's the truth.
The Environmental Working Group conducted a study from 2017-2023 where they found chlormequat - a pesticide that has been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals - in 4 out of 5, or 80 percent, of people's urine. What is more alarming is that they found higher levels of chlormequat in 2023 samples, as opposed to those from 2017-2022. This indicates that the pesticide use is on the rise.
You can read more about the study here.
But chlormequat isn't the only pesticide in Cheerios and Quaker Oats (amongst others) that you need to worry about. (And this is why I wasn't buying these products long before this recent article about chlormequat came out!)
Any crop that isn't grown organically is most likely being treated with a well-known pesticide called glyphosate.
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate, which is found in Roundup, is an herbicide known to kill plants and weeds. It's linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, disruption of the microbiome, celiac disease, and reproductive and developmental issues. Pregnant women and children are at greater risk because they are more susceptible to carcinogens.
It's also restricted or banned in 20 countries.
Glyphosate is primarily used on crops such as canola, corn, cotton, soybeans, sugar beets, and wheat. But it is also used on avocados, apples, blueberries, cherries, cucumbers, dates, dried peas, garlic, lemons, olives, peanuts, pomegranates, potatoes, rice, spinach, tomatoes, and walnuts.
Let me further clear things up on pesticides and the amount of levels that show up in a person's urine.
Though short-term exposure might not be as much of a health concern, and there are levels in the recent study that fall beneath what is deemed as "unsafe," experts are concerned about chronic exposure and its long-term risks.
So, if you are choosing to eat these products that are contaminated with pesticides on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, you are increasing the amount of pesticides in your system which will lead to chronic exposure.
So, what is safe to eat?
Let's start with the cereals.
I recommend swapping out your Cheerios and Quaker Oats for any of the following:
- One Degree Organic Foods, Sprouted Rolled Oats
- Bob's Red Mill, Gluten-Free Regular Rolled Oats
- Nature's Path, Old Fashioned Oats Oatmeal
- Purely Elizabeth, Superfood Oatmeal Cup
- One Degree Organic Sprouted Oat Honey O's
- Nature's Path, Gluten-Free Whole O's
- Seven Sundays, Oat Protein Cereal, Simple Honey
When it comes to produce, I highly suggest you check out EWG's Dirty Dozen list, which is a list that provides the top 12 produce items that are extremely high in pesticides and should most definitely be bought organic.
And remember - always wash your produce, whether it's organic or not.
I made a slow transition over the last year or two so that I am now at a point where I buy mostly everything organic.
I do not recommend going 100 percent all at once.
Yes, organic is a little more expensive. (But the last time I checked, all food is expensive!) I would rather pay the cost up front for better quality food and health than pay later with medication and disease.
If you want to learn more about healthy eating and better products, I invite you to schedule a Pantry Makeover with me. During this 90-120 minute meeting (done virtually or in-person), you'll learn the best way to fuel your body, how to make better and smarter food choices, and ways to save money on food so that you and your family can lead a vibrant, healthy and happy life.
This is one of the most powerful activities included in my 1:1 health coaching program, and you can purchase it a la carte. You can schedule an appointment here.
Here's to better eating and better health!
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