Organic vs. Nonorganic: What Fruits and Veggies Should You Buy?
April 8, 2011— -- We all know that pesticides and other chemicals can cling to the foods we eat and most of us want to minimize our exposure. That's why some people buy organic.
Scientists have shown that children age 5 and under ingest an average of eight pesticides each day. And young children, whose internal organs and systems are developing rapidly, are particularly vulnerable to pesticides' harmful effects.
Organic Is Better Because:
5 Foods You Need To Buy Organic:
The best foods to buy organic are apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery and strawberries.
Nonorganic Seasonal Options:
While there are many reasons to buy organic foods not everyone can find fresh organic produce at their corner store, or afford the premium price tags, so it's important to remember that there are some smart shopping decisions we can make that will help us save money while also reducing the pesticides on our plates.
Organic is not the only option for people that want to reduce the amount of pesticides they consume. There are fruits and vegetables that are known for having very low pesticide residues.
5 Foods You Don't Need To Buy Organic:
Seasonal
Year Round
The five cleanest fruits and veggies are onions, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple and mango.
Other steps you can take to keep pesticides off your plate include always washing and peeling your produce, steam cooking leafy greens, and using the frozen organic version a try when the produce you want isn't available fresh.
Costs
Organic foods can cost more than non-organic, sometimes 40 to 50 percent more. Below are the Fresh Direct prices for 1 piece of produce.
Note some of the most important produce to buy organic:
Apples, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Lettuce, Potatoes, Strawberries
Pesticides Used
Knowing how many pesticides are used when growing your produce is important. Check out the table below to help you make informed decisions.
Learn more about organic foods from the Natural Resources Defense Council.