Organic Food
Organic food tends to be outrageously expensive, typically costing 10-40% more than conventional food.
This means that buying organic food 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 foods.
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: apples, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and spinach.
The following twelve foods have been found to contain the lowest amounts of pesticides and so it’s fine to buy the non-organic version: asparagus, avocado, banana, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kiwi, mango, onion, pineapple, sweet peas (frozen), sweet corn (frozen).
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
Other problematic foods
1. Corn. The majority of domestic corn has been genetically-modified.
2. 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 food:
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.
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Related Reading:
Healthy Eating For Kids
Healthy Weight Loss
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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.
Restaurant Portion Control | responds:
Posted: November 18th, 2008 at 9:12 pm →
[...] you enjoyed these article, you might like these too: It’s A Lifestyle Change, Not A Diet Foods You Should Always Buy Organic Don’t Call Me Anorexic Subscribe: Email Or Feed [...]
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries | responds:
Posted: December 12th, 2008 at 9:47 am →
[...] so easy to make: 2 lbs organic strawberries (the non-organic are toxic). 3 packages (113g each) high quality semisweet chocolate 2 TBS canola [...]
Marlene responds:
Posted: June 10th, 2009 at 8:59 am →
Marlene…
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Luxury Food | responds:
Posted: July 1st, 2009 at 9:38 am →
[...] — Related reading: Organic Food [...]