Healthy Habits – Is Organic Worth the Extra Expense?

Food for thought- Is organic worth the extra expense?

By: Kelly Koons

Organic has become quit the trend over the last decade. You probably pass by the organic produce section before coming to the regular produce or even see an entire section dedicated to just organic products at your local grocery store. If you’re one of the shoppers wondering if you should pay the extra price to be more health conscious, maybe this article will help you out. Here I’ll talk strictly about produce and some items which may be worth the extra price you pay for organic, and their long term affects on your health.

What exactly is “organic”? It means products must be free of synthetic additives like harmful pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and must not be processed using industrial solvents. Often times you’ll see a label that states “USDA Organic” which is the stamp of approval from the United States Department of Agriculture, certifying the organic farming process.

Many people wonder if it’s beneficial to purchase organic foods since they are more costly. That’s a difficult question since so many factors go into a particular fruit or vegetable such as, the attraction insects and animals may have to it, region of growth, size, exterior layer and so on. To better help you determine if you are getting extra bang for your buck on your favorite produce, take note of the Dirty Dozen list below.  Everything on this has been tested and scientifically proven to contain more pesticides or harmful fertilizers, when not purchased organically. Just some ‘food for thought’ to keep in mind, the next time you are browsing the produce section.

Dirty Dozen

1. Apples
2. Cherries
3. Grapes
4. Nectarines
5. Peaches
6. Strawberries
7. Celery
8. Cucumbers
9. Kale
10. Spinach
11. Sweet Bell Peppers
12. Tomatoes