"Organic" has become a more common food label at the grocery store. Is buying organic food worth it? Does it even make a difference? You may be surprised.
"Organic" refers to food grown without synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The rationale is, if it kills bugs, why would we want it in our bodies? The threat of chemical residues affecting our environment and our bodies is disturbing.
"Organic" does NOT mean:
Healthy (seriously, organic cookies?!)
Free range
Hormone free
Natural
Are organic foods superior? Do they offer better nutrition? No. Studies show there is only a trace difference in the nutritional content of organic versus conventional. Both organic and non-organic can still run the risk of contamination with bacteria. So the assumption that organic equals healthier is false.
The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. Eat fruits and vegetables! Don't let labels stop you from consuming foods that God grows!
If you're going to eat the skins of a food, consider buying organic. If you can peel the skins off, it's not necessary.
There are 12 foods you should eat organic; here's the Dirty Dozen:
1. Grapes
2. Peaches
3. Celery
4. Apples
5. Spinach and lettuce
6. Nectarines
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Bell peppers
10. Strawberries
11. Potatoes
12. Kale and collard greens
To reduce the pesticide residues:
Wash and scrub under running water (without soap).
Remove the peel.
Trim the fat from meat.
Eat a variety of foods from different sources.
Organic has some downsides as well:
It costs 50%- 100% more.It still carries a risk of bacteria contamination.
Unless labeled "100% organic" it may only be 70% organic.
Organic foods may come from multinational companies, and they may be trucked across the country which contributes to petro chemicals.
A great solution to this organic buzz is to buy local foods. And keep eating fruits and vegetables!
As a parent, there are some things to consider. By NOT going organic, potential side effects may include: more severe ADHD, symptoms of learning disabilities, and prenatal exposure can affect the brain formation of a baby which could affect later IQ. Yikes.
Organic is definitely a piece of the puzzle in optimal health, but let's not give it more credit than deserved.