Should you buy organic?

There are lots of labels on the grocery store shelves these days proclaiming that this food is healthy, that one is natural or organic.  Because of this explosion of labeling one of the most common questions people ask me is should they buy organic. 

Organic foods have no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, fertilizers, or pesticides.  They have not been treated by irradiation, nor do they have any GMI's (Genetically Modified Ingredients) in them. 

When trying to decide between organic and non-organic foods, a good rule of thumb is if you eat the whole fruit or vegetable, peel and all, then organic is a safer purchase.  If you can remove the peel then you are safer to eat non-organic if you choose.  The graphic below lists the Dirty Dozen, or the twelve fruits and vegetables that routinely contain the most pesticides.  It would be preferred to purchase organic for any of these.  Conversely, the Clean 15 are the fifteen fruits and vegetables that routinely contain the least amounts of pesticides.  It would be safer to purchase non-organic from the Clean 15.

It is always best to assume that fruits and vegetables have been treated with pesticides and purchasing organic is preferred.  The problem is that organic can mean many things now.  I will explain all of the options with the organic labeling system in another post. 

So should you buy organic?  The answer is maybe.  When I go shopping for my family I don't always buy organic because I know that it doesn't always mean it's better.  I keep the dirty dozen in mind when purchasing fruit and vegetables, I garden and have friends that garden as well allowing for a large pool of freshly grown fruits and vegetables during the summer and fall, I read labels and look for the USDA Certified Organic label.  I assume foods have been treated with pesticides and/or GMI's if I do not know for sure, and by organic and local whenever possible. Farmer's markets are a great way to interact with the farmers that the grew the produce. You can ask them directly if they use pesticides and not have to worry about labeling. 

Limiting the amount of non-food products (chemicals, pesticides, artificial anything) and maximizing the whole food products is the goal.  How you do that for your family may look different than how I do it for mine.  What is the same is our desire to feed ourselves and our loved ones the best food possible for the best price.  Eat well!