Foods That You Should Always Buy Organic
Photo credit:dboy
Organic products are outrageously expensive, typically costing 10-40% more than conventional products. This means that buying organic is out of the question for many families. But since a few conventional products are notoriously contaminated, it might make sense for some families to buy organic versions of those and conventional versions of other, safer products.
Produce
The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that even after washing, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others. Researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have developed a list of “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables that you should always buy organic, if possible.
1. Apples. Apples are sprayed with 36 types of pesticides. 91% of tested apples were contaminated.
2. Cherries. 25 types of pesticides were found on 91% of cherries tested.
3. Imported grapes. Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Vineyards are sprayed with 35 different pesticides. No amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape’s permeable thin skin.
4. Nectarines. 26 different pesticides were found on 97% of nectarines.
5. Peaches. 45 different pesticides are applied to peaches in conventional orchards. 94% of peaches are contaminated.
6. Pears. 35 different pesticides were found on 94% of pears.
7. Raspberries. 39 pesticides were found on 59% percent of raspberries tested.
8. Strawberries. Strawberries are the single most pesticide-contaminated fruit or vegetable in the United States. Strawberries receive up to 500 pounds of pesticides per acre. 36 types of pesticides can be found on 90% of tested conventional strawberries.
9. Bell peppers. 39 pesticides were found on 68% of bell peppers tested.
10. Celery. 29 pesticides were found on 94% of celery tested.
11. Potatoes. 29 pesticides were found on 79% of potatoes tested.
12. Spinach. 36 different pesticides can be found on 86% of conventional spinach.
Meat, poultry and Dairy
An “organic” label on meat and poultry means that the animals were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones, which may pose risk to consumers and are banned in Europe. Many health experts have raised concerns that the use of antibiotics in the meat and poultry industry may contribute to the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria. In addition, certified organic animals are not fed animal by-products, thus reducing the risk of diseases, including mad cow disease.
Commercial dairy products also contain antibiotics and growth hormones, while organic versions of the same products are free of these harmful additives.
Other problematic foods
Corn. The majority of domestic corn has been genetically-modified.
Rice. Pesticide use on rice fields in California’s Sacramento River Valley, one major growing region, has been so heavy that it has contaminated groundwater.
A few simple rules to follow when you can’t buy organic:
1. Buy fresh vegetables and fruits in season. When long storage and long-distance shipping are not required, fewer pesticides are used.
2. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This would limit exposure to any one type of pesticide residue.
3. Trim fat from meat and buy skim milk. Hormones and pesticide residue often concentrate in animal fat.
Sources:
The Dirty Dozen
Organic food: is it worth the extra money?
Additional reading:
Organic labeling
How much do you care about buying and eating organic food?
Weblog: Organic To Be
10 top reasons to support organic
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Chris responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 7:19 am →
There goes my healthy lunch!
Ashleigh responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 7:32 am →
We can’t afford organic, but I appreciate the tips on what to do when you need to buy non-organic foods.
Jill responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 1:09 pm →
Pears and bell peppers? I had no idea. Thanks.
Computer Addict responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm →
Thre’s no need to scare people away from “genetically modified” corn - that’s not in the same league as food covered with pesticides. The latter is known to be harmful (in large doses), the former is people with a fear of technology and science ranting about things they don’t understand.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm →
@ Chris:
@ Ashleigh: glad you found it helpful. Eating fresh and in season, and eating a variety, is common sense, but the tip about trimming fat was new to me.
@ Jill: I didn’t know about a few of those. It’s quite disturbing, really.
@ Computer Addict: this is an interesting article that presents the benefits, and risks, of genetically modifying our foods.
Michelle Leotta responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 7:24 pm →
I have always heard that olive oil and olives are important to get organic. Something about pesticides and being fat soluble? As for GMO’s, I’m all for avoiding this kind of food manipulation. Soy ranks right up there with corn. I think 90% of soybean crops grown are genetically modified.
http://doesabodygood.blogspot.com/2008/01/crossing-fish-with-strawberry-and-other.html
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 7:35 pm →
@ Michelle: Thank you for the info, and for the link. Scary stuff!
Toxic Fruit « Growing A Pair responds:
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am →
[…] 16, 2008 in Uncategorized Apparently I misread this and took it for a shopping list of things to buy as contaminated as possible. I have purchased seven […]
Zandria responds:
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pm →
I buy my apples at the regular grocery store, and I just KNOW they’re infested with pesticides. Bad Zan!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pm →
@ Zan: I didn’t even realize apples were so contaminated. I only knew about berries and spinach.
Having said that, I think eating conventional apples is far better than eating processed foods. So you’re not all bad.
The Sleazy Ads of Google Adsense - MomGrind responds:
Posted: May 29th, 2008 at 4:03 am →
[…] wake-up call came when Dawn made fun of my Buy Organic post, which made her reader Jessica check out my blog and comment that the “Asian […]
Tom Stine | Living from Consciousness responds:
Posted: May 30th, 2008 at 9:49 am →
I used to buy only organic, but the cost became prohibitive. So, I found this list somewhere on the Internet, put it on my fridge, and use it as my reference. I only buy the above if organic. Also, I’ve noticed that some meat and poultry producers are making hormone free meats, which makes shopping much easier. But I didn’t know about RICE! Makes sense. I’m gonna only get organic from now on.