Organic or Non-Organic

Fruit and Vegetables

Generally speaking, food and vegetables are really healthy and beneficial for you. But food and vegetables are often exposed to synthetic pesticides and other bad things in order to control growth and quality. In certain amounts, some pesticides used for growing non-organic fruit and vegetables have really little to no bad impact on your health, which is why it is totally ok (or almost unnecessary) to keep buying the non-organic version. Of course, it’s good to keep in mind that fruit and veggies without pesticides will always have a better impact on mother nature. On the other hand, there are quite a few which are so heavy with pesticides that it is better to skip their consumption or strictly buy organic to prevent the risk of eventually obtaining a serious diseases (from respiratory to cancer).

Always buy organic:

• Strawberries
• Spinach and salad greens
• Peaches and nectarines
• Apples and pears
• Cherries
• Grapes (including raisins)
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Peppers (Sweet bell and hot)

Ok to buy non-organic:

• Avocados
• Corn
• Pineapples
• Citrus (lemons, oranges, grapefruit)
• Cabbage
• Onions
• Sweet peas
• Papayas
• Asparagus
• Cantaloupe
• Cauliflower and broccoli
• Kiwi

Flour

You don’t have to buy organic flour, but you should always buy unbleached and unbromated flour (read here why) to get fewer toxins and more nutrients. However, if your budget allows you and you decide to buy organic flour, you will enjoy flour that didn’t see pesticides at all and is much gentler to the environment overall.

Sugar

You don’t have to buy organic sugar since non-organic doesn’t include a substantial amount of pesticides. However, similar to organic flour, organic sugar doesn’t include any residue of pesticides and is more environmentally friendly.

Eggs

Non-organic eggs would not harm you so you can go ahead and save some money here. But there is one good reason to consider buying organic (or at least free range eggs). Non-organic eggs are from hens living in terrible conditions; they are receiving terrible nutrients and have no access out of their cages and do not get to see the light of day. This is not natural and is why regular eggs have much less nutrients and much less vitamins. While cage free eggs can be controversial, it is at least a one step better option if you can’t afford organic, which will give you the most nutrients, vitamins, and the satisfaction that you are not supporting animal abuse.

Dairy Products

There are many different theories about whether you should buy organic dairy products. After a lot of research to determine what is best for my own family, I believe it is not completely necessary. Milk don’t get significantly impacted by antibiotics, food additives, bad life style and other with exceptions of losing big part of the nutrients. So, you can go ahead, gave up some nutrients and save money on this category as well. But if you can afford it, buying organic dairy is not a waste of money though since organic dairy has significantly more nutrients than regular milk. Cows producing organic milk have access to pesticide-free pastures, are fed with easily digestible food, and don’t get growth hormones and preventative antibiotics. They are living happier and healthier lives, which they share with you by producing more natural and much more nutritious products.

Tofu

Make sure to buy only organic tofu since non-organic tofu is often sprayed with tons of chemicals. The great news is that organic tofu is only a little bit more expensive than non-organic version.

Cocoa and Chocolate

No need to buy organic, but organic versions are pesticide free and more environmentally friendly.

Meat

Organic meat is a better choice. Mainly it prevents you from consuming unnecessary and potentially harmful additives commonly occurring in non-organic meat. Another good reason to invest in buying organic meat is to get more valuable nutrients. Any certified organic meat will never include antibiotics, hormones, MSGs, or any other toxic additives. There are a lot of theories if antibiotics in food (including meat) are harmful. The biggest concern about antibiotics in food is whether eating meat with antibiotics increases human’s resistance to antibiotics – which can be an issue if your health condition requires antibiotic treatment. Also, hormones added to food raise concerns about the rising chance of getting cancer and other illnesses. And, MSGs are chapter on their own, (read here more about MSGs). Non-organic meat has just too many additives, and even if over time some of them are proven to be not as harmful as originally considered, all together there are still just too many things which can be proven to be really harmful.

Animals that are sourced for organic meat are eating a diet more natural to them, and have had more of a chance to move around, have outside access, and have an overall better life. This all is projected into the quality of the meat, the taste, and most importantly, to the value of the nutrients present. Even if you may believe that antibiotics or hormones are not that bad, I would recommend you eat only organic versions of meat if you can afford it. With organic meat you will simply eat less unnatural additives and enjoy the peace of mind that you are not risking your health – aside from a lot of other advantages.

Fish

The term organic fish so far doesn’t exist in the U.S. You can buy wild caught fish or farmed. While, in general, both kinds of fish are healthy, wild caught fish is slightly healthier but usually much more expensive. If you buy farmed fish (most common types are salmon and tilapia), try to find antibiotic free to reach a more natural meat.