What Fruits and Vegetables you Should Buy Organic if Possible
We are gearing up for fruits and vegetables coming into season, and the opening of many farmers markets.
Guess what make the top “Dirty” dozen list again for 2018? You guessed it … the strawberry! If you want to eat fruits and vegetables off of the “dirty” list then it makes sense to purchase only organic.
The question we get asked often is – “should we spend the extra money of organic fruits and vegetables?” And the answer is yes and no.
In order to minimize our exposure to toxic chemicals, some fruits and vegetables are better for our health if purchased organic. We need less exposure to toxic chemicals, and pesticides that are sprayed on our fruits and vegetables would be considered a toxic chemical.
We are becoming more aware that even small doses of some pesticides can have a bad effect on our health and the health of our children.
We definitely don’t want our children exposed to toxins or chemicals. Children are much more sensitive to toxins than grown adults and even lower levels of toxins have been known to cause serious health problems.
The good news is you can lower your exposure to these toxins by 90% just by purchasing certain fruits and vegetables in the organic section of your grocery store or farmer’s market.
Just be wary of growers that list “organic” on foods that do not need to be organic.
Foods that have their own outer shell for protection like the avocado or cantaloupe are fine to purchase non-organic.
Following is a list of fruits and vegetables that you should try to buy only organic:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Bell peppers
- A new 13th was added to the list: hot peppers.
Why we should spend money on Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Perhaps you have been interested in going organic for a while or are curious to see if all the hype is really worth it. Is eating organic vegetables and fruit really better for you? Despite whatever you may have heard, the truth of the matter is that organic foods are healthier and more nutritious than their non-organic counterparts.
Lets take a look at why shopping organic is worth every penny!
Eating Healthy is Worth the Price
Fruits and Vegetables that You can Buy NON-ORGANIC
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Honeydew Melon
- Mangos
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Watermelon
Whether you realize it or not, eating properly now will be worth all the extra money spent in the end. With the best organic fruits and vegetables, your body will be in great shape and eating organic will do wonders for your health.
1. Organic Crops Keep Chemicals Out
Organically grown crops are the best way to keep you and your family away from all the harmful chemicals used to grow commercial food. Over 600 chemicals are registered to be used on commercial crops in America– that’s billions of pounds each year. Many of these chemicals have not undergone extensive diet testing and their long-term effects to human health are unknown. The best way to make sure you keep chemicals out of your home is to intentionally choose organic each and every time. Most organic foods are free of these types of chemicals and pesticides.
2. Increase Your Body’s Antioxidants
When consuming organic vegetables and fruits, your body’s antioxidant intake can increase by about 20% – 40%. Foods like Organic strawberries and organic tomatoes provide more antioxidants and nutrients than their commercial alternatives. Organic tomatoes actually have 50% more Vitamin C than regular tomatoes.
Organic tomatoes are also 50% higher in vitamin C content than conventional tomatoes. When it comes to all organic fruits and vegetables as a whole, researchers have determined there is a 17% difference between organic crops and their regular counterparts. That will add up over time when you eat organic.
3. Organic Fruits and Vegetables Taste Better
Organic plants are generally stronger and healthier, therefore their taste is more robust and flavorful than commercially raised plants. Many commercially grown crops tend to be cultivated for appearance rather than taste, while the opposite is true for organic plants. With organic plants, crops are bred for their taste and are hands down the best option when it comes to great tasting fruits and vegetables.
Have you ever had a friend who’s grown fresh tomatoes or spinach? You can taste the difference right away! Thats what organic fruits and vegetables give you.
4. Organic Foods Keep Out GMO’s
Genetically modified organisms are the majority of what is on the market today. If you aren’t specifically shopping organic, chances are the food that you are buying contains GMO’s. This partially due to the fact that in America, GMO foods don’t have to be labeled. If you want to do your part to protect your body and family from genetically engineered food, choose organic fruits and vegetables.
More science and studies are coming in every day showing the harmful effects of GMO’s, Pesticides and other chemicals used on crops. Although we aren’t entirely sure of the long-term impact on our health just yet, it easy to see that the trend is not good. Thats why changing out your fruits and vegetables for organic now might be the best thing you’ve ever done!
As you prepare for your next trip to the grocers, know that good food goes beyond any price. Eating right will ensure that your body is happy and healthy for years to come. By avoiding all the pitfalls that come with commercially grown food, you will find that there is no price tag on healthy eating!
Reasons to Shop your Local Farmers Market
