“Organic,” how do you feel when you read that word?
I recommend that you feel all of the above when you see the USDA Organic label. Beware and be aware of what it means, what to buy, and when to pass.
Organic Food ≠ Health Food
- Grown without the use of most chemical pesticides and fertilizers (some more natural sprays are considered okay for humans and the environment)
- Often contains more micro-nutrients (there is a hot debate on this)
- No genetic modification
- Livestock must be fed organic food or grass fed and cannot be injected with hormones or antibiotics.
That’s it. Organic does not automatically mean healthy. If you are eating a processed food with organic ingredients, it’s just as bad for you as inorganic processed foods, minus the pesticides. An organic granola bar is not better for you than an inorganic granola bar. They usually have the same amount of sugar and fat. The biggest difference is often just the price (that’s when it’s over-priced).
The biggest differences in organic vs. inorganic is with fresh produce. The Environmental Working Group does annual research on which inorganic vegetables and fruits contain the most pesticides and chemical fertilizers. EWG is testing the amount of chemicals inside the plant which cannot be washed off. They call the worst offenders the Dirty Dozen+ and the produce containing the least amount of chemicals the Clean 15.
(buy me organic please)
- Sweet bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Hot peppers
- Domestic Summer Squash
- Leafy Greens- Kale & Collards
(organic if possible, but not crucial)
- Sweet potatoes
- Sweet peas – frozen
Considering chemical pesticides and fertilizers have been attributed to many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, alzheimer’s, birth defects, and more. Plus, we still don’t know how bad genetic manipulation might be (in the most of the US, food companies do not need to tell you if their products have been genetically engineered, unless it is labeled organic).
Organic as a Scam
Food companies exist to make a profit (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and the higher prices on organic foods can turn a huge profit…as long as it’s a processed food.
If you are an organic farmer, your operating expenses are many times greater than a conventional farmer. The sprays that you are allowed to use are often more expensive and the risks you run by letting mother nature dictate your harvest can cripple a business. Not to mention the mountains of paperwork you must complete annually to maintain your organic certification. Red Fire Farm in Granby, MA speaks well about this topic.
My Recommendation When It Comes To Organic
Fresh Produce: Use the Dirty Dozen+ and Clean 15 to guide your buying
Processed Foods: Avoid anyway, but when you buy organic it’s not good for you, it’s just not as bad!