To Buy Organic or Not to Buy Organic - That is The Question...

When we think of buying organic foods, the first things that come to mind are fruit and vegetables.  And that makes sense.  Produce is one of the few foods we really have control over. We can choose exactly which apple, tomato, and squash we want amongst a "pile" of apples, tomatoes, and squash.  For that reason, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because it is the prettiest or the ripest in its group, it's the best.  But not all fruit and vegetables are created equal.  Non-organic ones are often sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides that contain ingredients that are harmful to living organisms and that often can not be washed or even peeled off.  This is especially a problem with produce imported from South or Central America. 

Organic produce are all produced naturally.  And unlike their conventional counterparts, they are part of a heavily regulated industry.  Besides being grown without harmful pesticides, in most countries, organic food can not be genetically modified either.  A down-side to organics, however, is that they are understandably more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.  So, the question is, should all the fruit and vegetables you buy be organic?  And the answer to that question is, "No".  Your next question is probably, "Which ones, then, should be?".  Because there is really no way to remove the pesticides from them, the most highly contaminated produce are:

1.) Apples                       2.)  Strawberries                    3.)  Pears
4.) Bell Peppers               5.)  Peaches                          6.)  Nectarines
7.) Raspberries                8.)  Cherries                          9.)  Imported Grapes
10.) Spinach

If your budget allows, the following produce should also be organic, since they need to be washed extremely well and/or peeled to remove any pesticide residues:

1.)  Carrots                2.)  Apricots                   3.)  Cucumbers       13.)  Green Beans
4.)  Tomatoes             5.)  Domestic Grapes      6.)  Lettuce and other Greens
7.)  Mushrooms          8.)  Potatoes and Yams   9.)  Winter Squash
10.) Blueberries         11.)  Plums                       12.)  Cabbage

With the following fruits and vegetables, it is your call.  It is usually safe to  buy conventional varieties as long as you wash them (or in the case of Bananas, Kiwi, Mango, Pineapple, and Avocado) peel them before eating them:

1.)  Papaya                    2.)  Kiwi                             3.)  Bananas
4.)  Brocolli                   5.)  Onions                          6.)  Asparagus
7.)  Mango                    8.)  Cauliflower                   9.)  Peas
10.) Pineapple              11.) Avocado                     12.)  Corn (unless it is a GMO variety)

In order for livestock or poultry to be organic, it must be raised with regular access to fields or pastures, and without routine use of antibiotics, or any use of growth hormones.

Processed organic foods must: 1.) contain only organic ingredients, 2.) contain no artificial food additives, and 3.) be processed without artificial methods, materials, or conditions. 

I know that it is not possible to always stick to the above recommendations.  For example, some stores do not carry organic versions of some of the produce we need.  Don't despair.  Like most things, in moderation, conventional produce will generally not harm you.  But, I'll be honest.  With some of the ones in the top list (the most highly contaminated ones), both my son and I, who are very sensitive to additives in our foods, will react if we eat them more than "once in a while"..  That tells me that the pesticides and such that they contain are pretty virulent and that scares me.  Should we all buy only locally grown produce (which is usually organic) or go out and join a CSA?  Probably.  It would not only be good for us healthwise, but would send a message to those "upstairs".  It saddens me that the regulatory agencies in our country are so lenient.  In Europe, for example, all foods, and even any ingredients in foods, that are directly produced from a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) must be labeled.  Here, the USDA is fighting the labeling of GMO foods.  My guess?  It's bad for big business...

I've always said that, when it comes to your health, you have to be your own best advocate.  The same is true with preventative health.  We need to make sure the water we drink is pure and that the food we eat is, as well.  Those who are supposed to be setting the standards and are "looking out for us" sometimes have someone else's interests in mind instead of ours, the "individuals".

I mentioned GMO's in here.  They are another big pet peeve of mine.  Stay tuned tomorrow for why...
In the meantime, happy and healthy eating!