Envision a world without processed foods. Looks pretty good, doesn’t it? We all want to be healthy and eat clean. But is organic food worth it?
Although it may seem like a world away, your great grandparents lived, and lived pretty well, on a completely organic diet.
Genetically modified foods, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers simply didn’t exist. Over the last century, both our diet the food cultivation processes have changed dramatically. However, the way our bodies process food has not.
Our bodies thrive on whole foods, rich in vitamins and minerals. You can’t expect your body to function at maximum performance if you’re fueling up with inferior food.
There’s been a great hype about organic produce and its supreme quality over ‘normal food.’ We are led to believe that organically grown food is much better for us as it contains more nutrients and no foreign harmful substances. And we’re also asked and prepared to pay a premium for organic.
All this organic propaganda made me paranoid.
Should I Buy Organic Food?
Of course, I want the best for my body. I need it to function optimally. And I need it to perform well. Also, I need it to be reasonably happy and content. I don’t need any trouble with it. I have to pay my bills.
When the organic noise finally reached me too, I started eyeing your non-organic fruits and vegetables with suspicion.
Apple, is that your natural skin or a spray-on?
Tomatoes so plump must have been doused in pesticide!
I like you, broccoli, but are you going to slowly poison me?
If I value my life, I will not touch you, let alone take you home with me!
And sometimes, I’d feel sorry for the non-organics…after all, it wasn’t their fault. Poor fruits and vegetables didn’t ask to be grown in such an unnatural way.
Out of guilt, I’d throw some non-org carrots and potatoes into the basket, longingly glancing at their better-bred siblings.
I’ve really done it now, I’m seriously depriving myself of some critical vitamins and if I fall ill, I’ll know why, and it’ll be my own fault!
But at the same time, there are some skeptical voices expressing doubt about organic produce.
Is it all that it’s cracked up to be?
Or is it a con?
Really, is it worth paying for?
So I dug around a bit to re-evaluate my levels of paranoia about organic and non-organic foods and how they compare.
Here’s what I found:
Better Tasting
Organic foods are a lot tastier than processed food. One of the reasons for the enhanced flavor is the abundance of antioxidants. An antioxidant is a type of substance that prevents stored food from going bad. Two antioxidants include vitamin C and E, which are in orange juice and nuts.
I grew up in the countryside, where on our land we grew everything ourselves that we possibly could in that specific climate. Then I moved to the big city.
I’ve been in search of a proper taste ever since. In retrospect, I realize that the produce we took for granted had what I’d call an exquisite taste which, at least for me, surpasses anything that is available in a supermarket. In taste, texture, shape, and color.
Sadly, I fear that my quest for the taste of my childhood will never be satisfied.
Unless I start growing my own.
Wholesome Goodness
Advocates of organic nutrition claim that people who eat a diet that’s rich in organic foods are healthier than those who don’t.
In fact, they claim that eating organic foods minimizes the risk of exposure to toxins in processed produce and meat.
I’ve come across an interesting article about a test the BBC conducted to establish the difference in nutrients between organic and non-organic fruit and vegetables.
The results of the test showed that there isn’t a significant difference in the amounts of nutritional components. What it did show though was that the key to getting the most out of nutrients is the handling and storage.
Nutritional value degrades with the passage of time, whether you buy organic or non-organic.
To retain the high levels of nutrients, it’s important to consume freshly harvested produce or to store the food in cool temperatures, ideally freezing, as soon as possible after harvest.
But of course, not everyone has access to freshly plucked gifts of nature.
In that case, your best option is to buy frozen produce because it’s packaged fairly quickly after being picked.
Therefore, it retains a lot more nutrients until you’re ready to eat it.
Eco-Friendly
With many organic food processes forbidding the use of synthetic chemicals, there is no risk of the water becoming contaminated.
People who farm organically pose little to no threat to the environment and unlike many forms of agriculture, the wildlife can stay in their natural habitat. Speaking of wildlife, farmers benefit from the tiny creatures because the wildlife fertilizes the soil naturally and keeps the pests at bay.
No Chemicals, Pesticides and GMOs
Organic food has no chemicals, hormones, preservatives, or genetically modified organisms. That’s right, naturally, grown fruits and vegetables are free from all those additions and modifications. In fact, the USDA Organic restricts any produce that underwent genetic modification.
The BBC conducted a test to compare the pesticide residue in organics and non-organics. The test confirmed that there were no pesticides in the organic food and that there were traces of pesticides in the non-organic food, as expected.
However, the levels of detected pesticides in non-organic produce were very small and such amounts are safe for human consumption.
The test concluded that we needn’t be concerned about the non-organic produce being harmful.
The Dirty Dozen
However, even with stricter regulation or chemical usage, it is still a good idea to go organic whenever possible, as this is much better for the environment.
If you really want to eat clean, there is a list of foods called the Dirty Dozen, which tend to have the most chemicals and pesticides.
These are the foods you should purchase organic first, if available to you.
The Dirty Dozen includes:
Peaches
Celery
Strawberries
Apples
Nectarines
Domestic blueberries
Spinach, kale, and collard greens
Bell peppers
Potatoes
Cherries
Imported grapes
When to Say No to Organic Food
Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? I think so. When it comes to going natural, it’s important to know what’s really organic and what’s just hype.
Are those oats you eat for breakfast really organic, or is that just something the company claims to inflate the price?
The key to going organic isn’t just about buying products labeled as organic. It’s about knowing where your food comes from, how it’s processed, and when you need to say no to products claiming to be 100 percent natural.
In general, foods with a thick skin or protective coating that you don’t eat are usually safe to not buy organic.
Here is a list of foods you don’t need to worry about buying organic and save yourself some money:
Avocados
Bananas
Pineapple
Asparagus
Broccoli
Onions
Kiwi
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Sweet Corn
So what’s the verdict on Organic Food?
I won’t be losing my sleep over getting my hands on organic fruit and vegetables anymore. In terms of safety and nutritional value, there doesn’t seem to be much difference. What I will be doing is buying more frozen produce instead of what appears to be fresh on the shelf.
But going organic is good for the planet and for local farmers so I’ll be buying more from them, whenever possible.
This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.
