Walk down the produce aisle in just about any grocery store and you will see organic produce sitting right next to the non-organic, usually with a higher price tag. Is it worth the extra cost?
What exactly does it mean to be organic? Organic does not necessarily mean healthier. An organic apple has the same nutrients as a non-organic apple. The difference is in what is used to help grow them. Synthetic fertilizers or pesticides may not be used, and they can not be genetically modified. In order to claim to be organic, farms must be certified by the USDA.
While the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweighs the risks associated with pesticides, you should limit your exposure as much as your budget will allow. To help you determine where to get the most bang for your buck, the Environment Working Group publishes a list each year of the “Dirty Dozen” – those fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.
For 2013, the following are on the Dirty Dozen list, meaning that if you can, you should purchase them organic:
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Sweet bell peppers
- Nectarines (imported)
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Cherry Tomotoes
On the flip side, the group also publishes a list of the “Clean 15” – foods that you contain low pesticide amounts:
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Canteloupe
- Sweet Corn
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Sweet potatoes
For a more detailed list, check out the Environment Working Group’s website.