Buying Organic: Is It Worth The Money?

In order to answer that question, let's first define the term organic. Food that is organic has been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones.

Conventional vs. Organic

In contrast, conventionally grown fruit and vegetables, have pesticide residues and artificial chemicals on their skins, even after washing, that seeps into the bodies of the produce as well. Dairy products from conventionally raised cows contain hormones and antibiotics that are as used as part of standard farming practice in order to maximize dairy production. Commercially raised beef, chicken and pork also contain antibiotics and hormones.

Benefits of Organic Food

Organic food is more expensive than conventionally grown food, but it is worth the investment. Not only will you significantly cut down your exposure to toxic chemicals that can continue to accumulate in your body over time, but there is evidence that organically grown food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than their conventionally grown counterparts. A study published in 2003 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that organic produce had 50-60% more cancer fighting anti-oxidants than conventional produce. Organic milk has been shown to contain higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids (a type of fat that has been shown to have anti-cancer properties), anti-oxidants and Vitamins A and E. Grass fed, pasture raised beef also has a much higher level of omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised beef- in fact, the amount of omega-3s in grass-fed beef is similar to the amount found in omega-3 rich salmon.

Choosing Which Foods To Buy Organic

We all want to eat the healthiest food we can, but most people these days do have to pay attention to their budget. So, are there some foods that are more important to buy organic than others? You bet. The Environmental Working Group has a ranking of the "Dirty Dozen"- produce that has the highest pesticide residue. The ranking starts from the most contaminated.

BUY ORGANIC

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collard Greens
11. Potatoes
12. Imported Grapes

EWG also has a list of the "Clean 15"- produce with the lowest amount of pesticide residue. The ranking starts from the least contaminated.

CAN BUY CONVENTIONAL

1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapples
5. Mangoes
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwis
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potatoes
15. Honeydew Melon

Even if you can't buy organic produce, don't skimp on fruits and vegetables. It is still better to eat conventional produce than to substitute them with unhealthy snacks and processed foods.

Remember, Organic Is Not Just For Produce

What about dairy products? If you drink milk, you should buy organic. You can also try some of the non-dairy milks such as soy, almond, oat or rice milk. It is best to alternate these and not stick to just one.

In general, It is best to limit meat consumption and try other protein sources such as beans and whole grains. If you are going to eat meat, buy organic whenever possible- it is a much healthier choice.

What About Fish?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet adopted specific requirements for organic fish. Food&Water Watch, a non-profit organization which advocates policies for healthy and safe food and drinking water, recommends the following guidelines:

1. Choose domestic seafood. Less than 2% of imported seafood is inspected for contamination.
2. Choose local seafood rather than seafood that has been shipped from far away.
3. In general, choose wild over farmed seafood. There are, however, some good farmed seafood options, such as U.S. farmed catfish, tilapia, yellowfish snapper, shrimp, mussels, clams and oysters.

For more information, check out The Smart Seafood Guide at http://foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/seafood/guide/

Give It A Try

Don't feel overwhelmed! Even if you try 2 or 3 organic alternatives over the next few weeks, you will be making a substantial change for the better in your overall health.

Reina Marino, M.D.

Dr. Marino specializes in Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine in the Philadelphia area. She uses nutrition, stress management and exercise to help people lose weight, increase their energy, and decrease their stress so that they can look and feel like their younger selves and bring their best to their families, friends and work.

Find out more at http://drreinamarino.com. You can contact Dr. Marino at rm@drreinamarino.com or by calling 267-519-0810

Related : staub 9.5 inch saute pan cuisinart multiclad unlimited 12 piece cookware

Are Organic Foods Worth the Money?

Food prices have risen faster in recent years than ever before. As many of us are feeling the pinch, it is time to reevaluate some of our food purchases. The term “organic” has been thrown around in the shopping aisles like sprinkles on the jelly donut you’re trying to avoid. It seems like hundreds of new “organic” products have emerged, all with a price tag about 30% higher than the regular option. Is it really worth the extra money, or are we all being duped with a clever marketing campaign to get us to buy essentially the same thing for a lot more?
It is true that organic growing practices are a lot better for the environment. So if you’re swayed by that fact alone, go organic. You actually are supporting practices that benefit the environment. If you want to go deeper into the nutritional value of organic vs. regular foods, research is mixed on that topic. Some studies suggest a higher level of anti-oxidants in organic foods. But other studies have failed to find a significant difference in anti-oxidant levels. The nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables goes down as soon as it is picked. You could argue that a cucumber that was picked yesterday and sold at a farmer’s market has more nutritional value than one that was picked 3 weeks ago and flown across the country to your local supermarket. Overall, it is hard to make a case for organic fruits and vegetables containing higher nutrient levels. Both organic and regular varieties offer similar nutrient content and health benefits.
One argument that does hold some weight is the fact that regular fruits and vegetables are grown with pesticides and herbicides. There is residue from these toxic substances that can build up in the body over time. This increases the risk of cancer and can cause other health complications like fertility problems.
Apples, peaches, and bell peppers have consistently shown the highest herbicide and pesticide residue. The lowest on the list are onions, avocados, and frozen corn.
If you avoid the top 12 on the list of foods that have the highest pesticide residue, you can actually reduce your herbicide and pesticide exposure by 90%.
Here are the top 12 to avoid.
Peaches
Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Pears
Imported Grapes
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
The best way to eat healthy without breaking the bank is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and to be smart about the balance between organic and regular. Try to buy them in season in the location where you live because they will be fresher. If the organic is close to the price of the regular option, picking organic is better for you and better for the environment. In the case that the organic option is just far too expensive, try to avoid the top 12 with consistently high levels of herbicides and pesticides and you should be in great shape.
Another important diet tip for protection against unwanted diseases is to take a daily multivitamin. Combined with lots of fruits and vegetables every day, a multivitamin will insure you’re getting plenty of all of the essential vitamins and minerals that you need to feel healthy and invigorated every day.

For more info on the best multivitamins, visit Top Form Supplements

See Also : circulon classic 14 piece cookware set