Why we use non-GMO ingredients

When you’re choosing food products at the grocery store, what makes you pick one over the other? While many countries require labeling of foods that contain GMOs, the United States currently does not (at least not until January 2022). The idea of ingesting genetically modified foods doesn’t sound very tempting, nor does including those ingredients in our recipes.We prefer to keep things as nature intended them, using only Non-GMO ingredients in all our vegan snacks, which help preserve the ingredients’ quality, flavors, and nutrients.

What are GMOs?

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. These include any plants, animals, or organisms that have been genetically modified to include useful genetic variations from another organism.

So, what is the point of this genetic modification? There are many reasons that farmers will choose to grow GMO food products over Non-GMO. Crops are modified so that they are more resistant to insects, chemicals, pesticides, and viruses. This allows farmers to spray on highly toxic chemicals to control weeds and ward off insects, meaning that they are more likely to have a higher yield on their crops.

Genetic modification aims to save farmers time and money since the crops don’t require as much maintenance.

The most common GMO crops include:

Alfalfa
Canola
Rice
Corn
Soy
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Sugar
Beets
Papaya
Cotton

Many countries have banned GMOs, including France, Poland, Italy, Germany, and Denmark. The United States is not part of this list. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the safety of GMOs, but by choosing Non-GMO food products you can rest easy knowing you are making the best choice for your health.

The benefits of consuming Non-GMO foods

The idea behind GMOs was to produce higher yields of crops and create more nutritional and aesthetic consistency. And while we’ve all chosen the prettiest-looking tomato over the one that looks deformed, the original idea behind GMOs hasn’t really gone to plan.

Choosing Non-GMO over GMO foods is the safest, healthiest, and most environmentally friendly option. That’s why we only use Non-GMO ingredients in all of our recipes. Here are a few of the ways that consuming Non-GMO foods can be beneficial for you, for the critters, and the planet:

Better for your body 

Non-GMO crops are free of harsh chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides, meaning you’ll avoid ingesting them when you’re consuming your favorite foods. You’ll also eliminate the risk of ingesting animal products that have been injected with antibiotics, which will keep your immune system strong and functioning optimally. 

There’s nothing like biting into a fresh, juicy apple. But GMO foods are not always as fresh as they look since they often use chemical preservatives to keep them looking that way. When you choose the Non-GMO option, what you see is what you get. The more fresh the ingredients the more nutrient-rich they are. So choosing Non-GMO means your body is getting peak nutritional value. 

Better for the environment 

Non-GMO farming helps keep the soil fertile and reduces soil erosion. It also inhibits the development of superweeds and superbugs, which are resistant to traditional, mild herbicides and pesticides. Without the need for toxic chemicals to control these pests, there are less toxic chemicals leaching into the soil. This maintains a healthy biodiversity among crops and animals. It also ensures that no chemicals are making their way into the water table. 

The Top 10 Non-GMO plant-based proteins 

Adults should aim to consume about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, per day. You can easily meet your recommend protein intake without needing to consume any from GMO protein sources. 

Here are the top ten non-GMO plant-based proteins to help your hit your daily protein count:

1. Non-GMO Soy

Soy is extremely protein rich, and one of the few plant-based proteins that is a complete protein (meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids). Soy is found in tons of different food products and is often GMO. But it’s not impossible to find products using non-GMO soy, such as all of ours! Non-GMO soy is found in tofu, tempeh, soy meat and cheese alternatives, and edamame. 

Find out why we use non-GMO soy in our plant-based snacks.

2. Lentils

Lentils are almost always non-GMO, and also contain upwards of 18 grams of protein per cup! That’s around a third of your daily recommended intake in just one cup. They are also high in fiber, potassium and iron. You can incorporate lentils into soups, currys, salads or even use to make a plant-based meatloaf. 

3. Quinoa 

Quinoa is another complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids our bodies need. Quinoa is non-GMO, and is a super versatile ingredient which you can add to soups, salads, stews, stuffed peppers or make homemade burger patties. 

4. Chia seeds 

Chid seeds are low in calorie but high in protein, with 17 grams of protein per 100 grams of seeds. Non-GMO chia seeds are also high in fiber, calcium, B vitamins, magnesium and omega-3, which are often lacking in a plant-based diet. 

5. Spirulina 

Spirulina is blue-green algae that is packed with protein and vitamins. It’s typically sold in powdered form, which you can add into smoothies, juice, or even just mix it into water. It’s considered a superfood because it is so nutrient-rich and it’s one of the best sources of plant-based protein that’s so low in calories. Two tablespoons of spirulina equal to 8 grams of protein. 

6. Nuts 

All nuts are non-GMO, so feel free to munch away on these healthy, protein-rich snacks. You can eat them straight up, blend them into butters or add to your favorite baked goods. The nuts that are highest in protein include almonds, walnuts, cashews and peanuts.

 7. Oats

Oats contain around 12 grams of protein per cup and are an inexpensive and filling way to add some extra protein into your diet. Oats are non-GMO and can be used to make everything from cookies to veggie burgers. You can enjoy them for breakfast with a topping of some berries, or add some nut butter for a double dose of protein. 

8. Chickpeas 

Chickpeas are the main ingredient for one of our favorite snacks, hummus, but you can also enjoy them in salads, soups or in curries. Chickpeas have tons of protein, iron, fiber, potassium and more! 

9. Other beans 

Most beans are Non-GMO, and also very rich in protein. Most varieties of beans have somewhere between 29-36% of your daily protein in one cup. The beans that contain the most protein include white beans, borlotti beans, split peas, pinto beans and kidney beans. 

10. Nutritional yeast

Nutritional yeast is cheesy-tasting yellow flakes that are made with a form of deactivated yeast. You can add it to just about any recipe for a whopping dose of about 8 grams of protein per two tablespoons of nutritional yeast. You can get non-GMO nutritional yeast at most healthfood stores and add it to your popcorn, pasta, potatoes or kale chips. 

Why we use Non-GMO ingredients

At All Y’alls Foods, all of our products, from our vegan jerky to our vegan bacony bits, are GMO-free!These plant-based snacks are guilt-free, so you can keep munching and know what you’re eating is healthy, safe, and good for the environment too.