Organic Produce
Organic and conventional produce vary drastically in many ways. Where traditional farmers apply chemical fertilizers to the soil to grow their crops, organic farmers maintain a strict standard in which they feed and build soil with natural fertilizer. Traditional farmers use insecticides to get rid of insects and disease, while organic farmers use natural methods such as insect predators and barriers for this purpose. Traditional farmers control weed growth by applying synthetic herbicides, but organic farmers use crop rotation, tillage, hand weeding, cover crops and mulches to control weeds.
During production, organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives or irradiation to maintain product integrity. In animals, organic products are raised without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics and other toxic chemicals. These animals have not been genetically engineered or cloned. Conventional meat and dairy production commonly uses a combination of these unnatural processes.
Health Benefits of Organic Foods
Higher Nutrient Levels
Many tests have been done to determine if organic food really has more nutrients than the conventional food we find in every grocery store. One study revealed that the mineral level in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. If you combine this with earlier picking (pre-ripening), longer storage, and more processing of crops it’s not that surprising that the nutritional value in the conventional grocery store food is depleting. Artificial fertilization associated with conventional crops produces lush growth by swelling produce with more water. On a pound for pound basis, organic food has more “dry matter” which is the actual food which contain more nutrients.
In a 1993 study by the International Academy of Nutrition and Preventative Medicine, they compared the difference between organic foods to commercially store bought foods. They compared apples, pears, potatoes and corn for over 2 years. The organic foods had, on average, over 90% more nutritional elements than the store bought foods!
Lower Pesticide Residue
Consuming organic food certainly isn’t the only way to improve ones nutrient intake, but is one of the safest. In monitoring programs, the tests have shown that around one in three non-organic food samples contain a variety of pesticide residues, with far lower levels being found in and on organic produce. While thoroughly washing your produce helps, it does not remove all pesticide residues.
An Israeli researcher has also linked symptoms such as headaches, tremors, lack of energy, depression, anxiety, poor memory, convulsions, nausea, indigestion and diarrhea with dietary intakes of pesticides. Belgian research had found that women diagnosed with breast cancer are six to nine times more likely to have pesticides DDT or hexachlorobenzene in their bloodstream compared to women without the cancer. Hawaiian researchers following 8,000 people for 34 years have found that increasing consumption of conventional fruit juice (fruit grown with the chemicals) raises the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
No Food Additives
Artificial colorings and preservatives in food and drink are thought to contribute to hyperactivity in pre-school children, and while many still contest this issue, a recent study in UK found that the proportion of hyperactive children was halved when additives were removed from their diets. Many additives- such as preservative, artificial sweeteners, coloring and flavorings, MSG, hydrogenated fat and phosphoric acid are prohibited in organic food production.
Not only is eating organic providing you with substantially more nutrients but it also eliminates many of the toxic chemicals that may produce illness. It’s an obvious choice for you and your family, eat organic.
Cost Effectiveness of Organic Foods
It’s a myth that eating organic is more expensive – both short term and long term. Colleen Huber’s article, Your Family Could be Eating Organic Food for the Same Price as Processed Foods – or Less, demonstrated that you would save $1.22 per person per week eating a healthy organic diet as compared to a typical processed diet. Add up the amount of money you will save in a lifetime without chronic disease – a healthy body is priceless.
Certain foods tend to have higher or lower amounts of pesticides. Visit www.FoodNews.org for more information. Pesticides are extremely important to monitor and consider, especially in kids. Buying organic produce lowers pesticide levels in kids. Please remember that it is still better to eat non-organic vegetables than none at all. If you cannot afford organic or if your only organic options are wilted and rotten, it is better to buy fresh and non-organic.
Top 12 Foods to Buy Organic
Peaches |
Apples |
Bell Peppers |
Celery |
Nectarines |
Strawberries |
Cherries |
Kale/Spinach/Lettuce |
Grapes (Imported) |
Carrots |
Pears |
Red Raspberries |
Cleaner Non-Organic Foods
These foods are lower in pesticides and are safer to buy non-organic
Onions |
Avocados |
Sweet Corn |
Pineapple |
Mangos |
Asparagus |
Sweet Peas |
Kiwi |
Cabbage |
Eggplant |
Papaya |
Watermelon |
Broccoli |
Tomato |
Sweet Potatoes |
Brussels Sprouts |
5 Easy Ways to Be More Organic
- Remember this rule of thumb: Fresh food is always better than frozen, but frozen is better than canned. Buy lots of fresh veggies, they’re usually less expensive than canned versions. If you have the space, grow your own fresh veggies such as greens, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, etc. Be sure to use them soon after picking before they go bad!
- Attend a Farmer’s Market: Buy directly from your local organic farmers and produce sellers. Many communities have a “farmer’s market” where vendors gather daily or weekly to sell freshly grown organic produce. If they don’t have “organic” foods, you are still better off choosing local foods over store bought produce. Often, locally grown foods are raised according to organic standards at a more affordable price. If all that’s available or affordable is fresh, conventionally grown (store bought) produce … buy it and wash it well!
- Ask organic at your local store The rising demand has created an organic trend and most grocery stores. If you have a specific food that they don’t carry, they will usually provide it for you. All you have to do ask. We prefer to support local, family owned natural food stores like Georgetown Market where the staff is knowledgeable and helpful and can be an excellent resource to expand your healthy lifestyle.
- Talk with local chefs who use organic ingredients Ask the chef at your favorite restaurant to offer organic options. If they already do, ask the chef where they purchase their organic foods. Sometimes you can buy directly from the restaurant.
- Grow your own: Growing your own organic garden may be easier than you think. There are many resources available to help you get started. Check out websites on the subject like www.gardenswebsite.com
- Join a co-op or buy on-line:
