Last week the Environmental Working Group released their annual list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. No real surprises. Apples and strawberries top the list again but it’s a good reminder.
I am often asked if organic food is better so now’s a good time to address it. Generally speaking, yes. Organic food is grown to be free of chemical pesticides, hormones and genetically modified organisms. Interestingly, research comparing the nutrients in organic versus conventionally grown food finds very little difference. Meaning… you get about the same nutrition from organic as you do conventionally grown produce.
However, there are some definite benefits to organically grown produce. It’s better for the environment and the people who grow the food. It cuts out some of the unknowns related to chemical pesticides, hormones and genetically modified organisms. And you can feel good about giving it to your family. The catch? It’s 2-3 times more expensive and not as readily available.
So what do I do? I eat organic when possible.
I prioritize the foods that I eat most often like kale, berries, grapes and apples. But under no circumstances do I skip fruits and veggies because they are not organic. Two-thirds of adults still don’t get the recommended produce daily. So, any fruits and vegetables are better than none.
I’ve also started an organic garden. If all goes well, I’ll soon go to my backyard to clip fresh lettuce, peppers, okra, carrots, tomatoes and herbs for dinner.
What do you think? What do you buy organic?
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