Is Eating Organic Worth It?

[Erik]

Do you eat organic? If you do, what?


Is Buying Organic Worth It?
by Mike Roussell

Should you eat organic food instead of the conventional stuff? To quote Dr. Berardi "... raw, organic fruits and vegetables are best since they have a higher micronutrient count, but any fruits and veggies are better than none! Get sufficient fruits and vegetables in your diet before worrying about whether they're organic or not."

Our good friends at Consumer Reports recently did a piece on organic foods. Let me give you the rundown.

The "Dirty Dozen" Ð You should purchase organic versions of these fruits and vegetables as often as possible because thousands of government tests results have shown that the conventional versions of these foods consistently have the highest levels of pesticides.

• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

What should you never buy organic? Seafood. The USDA does not have a standard or certification for organic seafood. Because of this, companies can put "organic" all over the labels regardless of whether or not the seafood is wild, farmed, or pumped with antibiotics. You'll just end up paying more for no guaranteed benefit.

There's one more thing that you should know about as a savvy consumer... labeling. You may not be aware of this, but there are varying levels of organisity. (Look out Stephen Colbert, I just made that word up.)

100% Organic = Okay this one is obvious, there are no synthetic ingredients.

Organic = 95% of the ingredients are organic; the other 5% are as synthetic as Joan Rivers.

Made with Organic Ingredients = 70% of the ingredients are organic.

Free-Range = This label doesn't mean much except an extra 3 bucks a pound or an extra $2 a dozen. For a farmer to label his/her product as free-range, they need to provide outdoor access for "an undetermined period each day." That leaves a lot of room for interpretation. So you should think twice before buying something just because it's free range.

Consuming lean protein and ample fruits and vegetables is of the utmost importance. After that, act on what your budget allows, buying as much of the organic versions of the Dirty Dozen as possible. If you can't afford organic and are truly concerned about the pesticides, chemicals, and other nasties on your fruits and vegetables, then I recommend trying Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash (www.tryfit.com).

[Fitwolf]

this is based on how eating organic effects the specific individual. I eat organic (as much as I can) also because of how pesticides effect ecosystems - waterways, wildlife, etc.

[mcv]

I try to eat/buy organic as much as possible. After having cancer, I am willing to try almost anything to avoid a recurrence.

[mackie]

"There's one more thing that you should know about as a savvy consumer... labeling. You may not be aware of this, but there are varying levels of organisity. (Look out Stephen Colbert, I just made that word up.)"
:funny: :funny:

I luvvv Stephen Colbert and I think its so funny that Mike Rousell thought of him.

Off topic, I know but that comment just cracked me up.

[Jillian]

I eat as much organic as I can. I just recently started to. So far, I have noticed absolutly no changes in the eay I feel though. hmm..

[Patyal]

I used to be pro-organic all the time. Unfortunately, it gets very expensive and, depending where you shop, might not all organic items might be available.

Due to $$$ reasons, I switched back to conventional stuff, with exception of meat, chicken and eggs.

I found cheaper to supplement with Total body purifier and Colon cleanser formulas by Cellular research. I also try not to miss my anti-oxidants and multivitamins to reinforce my immune system.

[pixie]

I eat organic fruits and veg; and some organic poultry.

I am fortunate to live close to two organic farms which keeps my grocery bill in check. I've also noticed, in the past few months, that Costco is carrying organic frozen veggies. Haven't tried them yet, but I do like to keep some frozen veggies in the freezer for 'emergencies'.

I had a cancer scare a couple of years ago, so my main motivation for eating this way is to reduce the pesticides I consume. But, I agree this is important for the environment, as is eating locally grown produce.

[jackie]

I eat as much organic as I can. I just recently started to. So far, I have noticed absolutly no changes in the eay I feel though. hmm..
Same here minus the meats/chicken. We could not afford it.

[Lynny]

I prefer organic meats, dairy, and chicken.. to me, they taste better. Sometimes I get organic fruits/veggies, but rarely. I can't really taste the difference and they are just more expensive.

[Audrey]

I eat mainly organic fruits and veggies as well as dairy products (i.e. cottage cheese). I usually try to eat the above listed fruits and veggies organic as these are the most pesticide laden. By the same token, some fruits and veggies are fairly low in pesicides and therefore there is less 'need' to buy them organic (especially if you are on a budget). The following fruits and veggies have the lowest pesticide load:

onions
avocadoes
pineapples
asparagus
bananas
broccoli
eggplant
cabbage
kiwi
mango

[donnajo]

I would like to but it is so much more expensive.

[Ana]

I would like to but it is so much more expensive.
Getting sick is even more expensive.
Try doing a half and half based on things that are really worth buying organic

[Inatic]

WAY to expensive for us to have feed a family of 5 kidlets and two adults.

[Meadows]

Have there ever been published studies that show people that eat organically are healthier or have a lower rate of cancers? Last time I checked into this, I couldn't find anything...

I do agree with organic AG practices being easier on the environment and the animals (at times) and can see why people would go organic for that reason, but I just have not seen real evidence that the people eating organic are healthier.

[Pandora]

I eat about 90% organic. I think it tastes better and it is definitely better for you. The higher cost does not bother me one bit.

[Ali]

How is it definitely better for you?

I have 4 kids. I can't afford to buy all organic stuff. We DO butcher our own cows, freeze our own veggies and eat our garden veggies in season. FIL gives us organic (that makes me laugh) eggs when he can. But having a pseudo/quasi farm myself, I wonder how organic this stuff is that they grow/make. It would be very, very hard to do on a big scale. I'm all for supporting your local farmer, though. Do that!! :D

I think organic is just a modern marketing phrase for the most part. Let's see...what can we get by with and still call it organic? I know they have rules, etc. I'm just a little skeptical. Have you ever tried to grow things without pesticides? You can...it just goes bad fast, you have to cut around the worm holes, etc. Some of the organic stuff we eat here, you would never ever see in a grocery store b/c no one would buy it.

[jackieleigh]

We only have a very small organic market near us...I wouldnt be able to get 1/2 the food I eat there

[Patricia]

I eat absolutely nothing organic and would never spend a dime more to buy something that was. :shrug:

Actually, sometimes I buy organic milk for my daughter but only because it lasts longer and she doesn't drink it too often.
Also, I happen to like my chicken all sauced up. :lol3: