Are Organic Foods Worth It???

VanessaGS

So apparently yahoo posted something on organic foods not being beneficial and that we spend more money when we shouldn't. If you ask me they're organic for a reason. It's cuz they're not exposed to all the harsh chemicals that they put in non organic foods and they are grown and raised (chickens) a different way. I don't mind spending a little more to put better things in my tummy, but what are your opinions on organics?

missprincessgina

I buy organic when possible. I live in western Pa where there are lots of farms that sell fresh eggs and meats that haven't been treated with anything. Grass-fed beef, raw dairy, and fresh vegetables. I try to visit those farms as much as possible. I also have a few food co-ops and whole foods to shop at!

KaydeForce

Let me post that as an answer or extension of what you wrote:

I grew up on a Farm in Austria, Europe. We grew our fruits and veggies ourselves (no chemicals, nothing, all natural), we slaughtered our own animals to have meat (sounds cruel, but knowing that those had a great life so far, were treated really well, had awesome food and good animal friends is way better than knowing how the average chicken/cow/pig gets raised and then made into meat), we grew our own herbs etc. So it was as natural as it can get. (Not saying that you can't get overweight from natural foods - I did, because I simply ate too much and didn't move enough).

Anyway, then I moved to Vienna (the capital) and lived there for 8 years. I started to eat (European) supermarket food (which is in generall way less processed than what's in the average American shopping cart in my opinion). I felt the difference, but it was not too bad.

But then, a year ago, I moved to Miami, Florida. I started eating the average American diet: lot's of processed foods - the heck, almost only processed food. I hardly ate anything that hadn't been touched by an industrial cook before (except for some fruits and veggies). The fruits and veggies I ate were also mostly not organic. And believe me: The taste of them does not even COMPARE to what a real, natural fruit tastes like. Not even close. Especially with things like berries, tomatoes, everything that contains a lot of water (don't know if water is the reason for that, but that's my personal experience). My skin changed when I moved here, but that could have many reasons besides organic food.

But, a few months back I started to buy my fruits and veggies organic - here in Miami, Florida. Let me tell you: They still don't compare to what we grew in our home garden, what was pure nature without anything unnatural in it. It just doesn't taste the same because those fruits and veggies, even if they are organic, are industrially produced and "organic" in the US is not the same as "organic" in Europe or in two different European countries. The laws vary so much, in some countries you can label things as organic that aren't in another country. I don't know the exact US laws for organic produce, but they must be different from where I grew up.

Anyway: I am absolutely certain that there is a difference! How come that berries that grew in the woods or on my family farm get bad within 12-24 hours from being picked, even if kept in the refrigerator? How come organic berries can still be kept for like 5 days here? They HAVE to be treated with something. Do we really want to eat that?
How come non-organic berries can be kept for 2 weeks and still taste the same after that? Do we want to eat that?

Hope that helped in some way...

kiminikimkim

It is funny how studies show that organic produce is not beneficial, but they mention to absolutely avoid certain fruits and vegetables (apples and celery for example) because pesticide levels are quite high. Hey, scientists said DEET was safe, remember?

My neighbour works in a corporate lawyers office and she tells me of clients (tobacco clients) who pay insane amounts of cash for doctors to sign a "study" that claims that cigarettes don't cause cancer. It was comforting to see that out of the 9 doctors contacted, 8 of them refused to put their name on it. Unfortunately, you will have that one odd doctor who will say, "based on my clinical studies.... cigarettes are not harmful to the lungs and blah blah blah".

Yes. It is still going on today. Which makes me question who funded those studies.

I buy organic because the following tastes better:
-cherry tomatoes
-eggs
-strawberries
-blueberries
-carrots

I also just buy LOCAL organic to promote the economy in my area. I don't believe in buying organic bananas that had to poke a hole in the ozone layer just to get in my kitchen.

VanessaGS

Yes it does, but at the same time it's hard to get anything better in America. Have you seen the fast food commercials lately? It's seems like the food just gets more fattening. Atleast I'm staying away from that as much as possible.

VanessaGS

It is funny how studies show that organic produce is not beneficial, but they mention to absolutely avoid certain fruits and vegetables (apples and celery for example) because pesticide levels are quite high. Hey, scientists said DEET was safe, remember?

My neighbour works in a corporate lawyers office and she tells me of clients (tobacco clients) who pay insane amounts of cash for doctors to sign a "study" that claims that cigarettes don't cause cancer. It was comforting to see that out of the 9 doctors contacted, 8 of them refused to put their name on it. Unfortunately, you will have that one odd doctor who will say, "based on my clinical studies.... cigarettes are not harmful to the lungs and blah blah blah".

Yes. It is still going on today. Which makes me question who funded those studies.

I buy organic because the following tastes better:
-cherry tomatoes
-eggs
-strawberries
-blueberries
-carrots

I also just buy LOCAL organic to promote the economy in my area. I don't believe in buying organic bananas that had to poke a hole in the ozone layer just to get in my kitchen.

I agree about the eggs. We buy organic brown eggs and they're yummy. Cage free baby!

rachellosesitall85

Last year I went organic when I was living on my own (before DH added into the mix haha) and saw a complete 180 with my health. I felt better, my skin looked better, and it tasted soooo good. I was a student, and dropped maybe $150 a month on organic foods and did fine. It doesn't have to be extremely expensive. I got a few things like eggs, chicken, fruit, snacks and fish and pita bread and loved it. We live on base and there are a few organic places I've heard of but I think they are further away. It's tempting to drop $200 at the commissary a month for two people because we don't have taxes but I'd really like to go back to eating organically 80% of the time.

VanessaGS

Last year I went organic when I was living on my own (before DH added into the mix haha) and saw a complete 180 with my health. I felt better, my skin looked better, and it tasted soooo good. I was a student, and dropped maybe $150 a month on organic foods and did fine. It doesn't have to be extremely expensive. I got a few things like eggs, chicken, fruit, snacks and fish and pita bread and loved it. We live on base and there are a few organic places I've heard of but I think they are further away. It's tempting to drop $200 at the commissary a month for two people because we don't have taxes but I'd really like to go back to eating organically 80% of the time.

I think in the long run it's a lot more beneficial. I got my boyfriend eating organic eggs but since he saw the yahoo thing he says I'm wrong. OH EXCUSE ME...I DIDN'T KNOW EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET WAS TRUE. Internet also tells us to stay away from fruit. What a joke.

KaydeForce

I agree about the eggs. We buy organic brown eggs and they're yummy. Cage free baby!

Why does the color of the egg make any difference? (I've heard people say that before, that we should only buy brown eggs... We used to have them from our own hens and when the hens were brown, the eggs were brown. When the hens were white, the eggs were white. So what's the difference? Or does industrial production make a difference?

myfitnessnmhoy

The metastudy demonstrated that many of the nutritional or health benefit claims about organic foods are not borne out by statistically significant differences in overall health based on short-term studies. If you're just looking for the least expensive food that provides you with nutrition, this study basically demonstrates that there is little NUTRITIONAL difference between organic and non-organic. You'll still get basically the same doses of fiber, vitamins, fat, proteins, and carbohydrates in about the same proportions. So if that's your priority, skip the extra expense of organics.

The metastudy made no claims about the health benefits (and made no long-term claims of any kind) of avoiding specific pesticides, or the environmental/sustainability issues of using more natural products and techniques to grow food. So there are still potential health benefits of organic, and there are other benefits that you won't necessarily see at the dinner table, if such considerations are priorities to you.

If you're worried about consumption of pesticides, you should probably consider buying organic alternatives of foods that are generally eaten intact like apples, celery, and broccoli and foods that are soft-skinned like strawberries or potatoes that might absorb pesticides more readily. If you're REALLY worried about consumption of pesticides even in the trace amounts that might be absorbed or processed into the fruit despite a peeled or removed skin on foods like bananas and beets, then you might want to consider organic alternatives for those as well.

If your primary concern is sustainability and ecological impact of your food, then you may have to balance buying locally (transportation impacts) with buying organic (fertilization/pesticide impacts). Of course, if you have an organic farm nearby, there's a decent option for you if this is one of your primary priorities.

In short, organics are not healthier as food than conventional. Organics may use safer fertilizers and pesticides, though conventional uses "generally recognized as safe" products. Organics may be more sustainable and less polluting, but you have to balance that with where the food comes from - shipping an organic apple from New Zealand to New England is probably a whole lot less ecologically sound than buying a sprayed apple from a farm 5 miles from your house.

So why do you buy organic? It may still be worth it. Or not.

now_or_never12

If you are going to spend the money on Organic foods ensure you do your research.

Organic doesn't always mean 100% pesticide free. Research your area's guidelines and research local organic farms. Just because it says "ORGANIC" on the label doesn't always mean it has come into contact with chemicals and such.

Once you have done your research buy organic for things (fruits and veggies) that you eat the skin of (apples, pears, oranges if you zest them, etc). Those that you don't eat of the skin of or have thick skins that are cut off are fine as long as you wash them properly before cutting them. Wash things like bananas and oranges before eating them.

And I wouldn't fully believe things that Yahoo news reports... do your own research. They aren't always know for having 110% true and informative news articles.

myfitnessnmhoy

I agree about the eggs. We buy organic brown eggs and they're yummy. Cage free baby!

Why does the color of the egg make any difference? (I've heard people say that before, that we should only buy brown eggs... We used to have them from our own hens and when the hens were brown, the eggs were brown. When the hens were white, the eggs were white. So what's the difference? Or does industrial production make a difference?

The actual color doesn't. It's a factor of the breed of chicken that laid the egg.

There are, however, regional differences in the breeds that are selected. Here in New England, the predominant laying chicken is the Rhode Island Red, and they lay brown eggs, so there was a lot of advertising in the Northeast US about brown eggs being local, and therefore fresher due to the lower transportation time. However, plenty of other breeds are used in New England, and breeds that lay brown eggs are used elsewhere.

So many of us New Englanders and Northeasterners have that insipid "brown eggs are local eggs, and local eggs are fresh" jingle stuck so far in our psyches that we tend to prefer brown eggs, even though there isn't a whit of difference in flavor or nutrition between a brown egg, a blue egg, a speckled egg, and a white egg. I find myself falling victim to it all the time, and I'm aware of it.

Advertising obviously works.

heliumheels

Organic food is definitely better for you. Don't listen to yahoo, they are idiots who are just being paid to tell you that.

Why Buy Organic?

1. It's healthy. Organic food tends to contain higher levels of
vitamin C, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and essential minerals such as
calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium.

2. No nasty additives. Organic food doesn't contain food additives
that can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis,
migraines and hyperactivity.

3. It avoids pesticides. More than 400 chemical pesticides are
routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in
non-organic food.

4. No genetic modification. Under organic standards, genetically
modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed.

5. There is not a reliance on drugs. Organic farming standards
prohibit the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones in farm animals.

6. There are no hidden costs. As taxpayers, we pay for chemicals
to be removed from our drinking water - including the pesticide runoff from
conventional farms.

7. There are high standards. Organic food comes from trusted
sources that are inspected to ensure compliance to organic standards.

8. Organic methods provide for animals. Animal welfare is taken
very seriously under organic standards.

9. It's good for wildlife and the environment. The UK government
has said that organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution
from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas -
and less dangerous wastes.

10. It's flavorful. Many people prefer organic food because they
say it tastes better.

KaydeForce

The actual color doesn't. It's a factor of the breed of chicken that laid the egg.

There are, however, regional differences in the breeds that are selected. Here in New England, the predominant laying chicken is the Rhode Island Red, and they lay brown eggs, so there was a lot of advertising in the Northeast US about brown eggs being local, and therefore fresher due to the lower transportation time. However, plenty of other breeds are used in New England, and breeds that lay brown eggs are used elsewhere.

So many of us New Englanders and Northeasterners have that insipid "brown eggs are local eggs, and local eggs are fresh" jingle stuck so far in our psyches that we tend to prefer brown eggs, even though there isn't a whit of difference in flavor or nutrition between a brown egg, a blue egg, a speckled egg, and a white egg. I find myself falling victim to it all the time, and I'm aware of it.

Advertising obviously works.

Thank you for the explanation! I really did not know that.
The breed of chicken we have at our family farm in Austria is one that comes in several colors (except black): from white to dark brown. It's like the hair color of people. So we have eggs that range from white to brown and everything in between. Have you ever noticed the difference of when you bake a cake with organic eggs and with regular ones? Did you notice the completely different yolk color?
When my mum bakes a cake at home with our hens' eggs, the baked dough is a very bright yellow. No kidding. When we're low on eggs (hens don't lay year-round, they take breaks) we have to buy some and then the baked dough is a very pale, milky yellow. Even if the eggs are from a farm in the area - but a farm that produces eggs in industrial quantities. So again: There HAS to be a difference.

VanessaGS

I agree about the eggs. We buy organic brown eggs and they're yummy. Cage free baby!

Why does the color of the egg make any difference? (I've heard people say that before, that we should only buy brown eggs... We used to have them from our own hens and when the hens were brown, the eggs were brown. When the hens were white, the eggs were white. So what's the difference? Or does industrial production make a difference?

Well, I heard they use chemicals to turn some of the eggs white, but I dunno the truth. I just noticed the difference in taste on those. They tend to taste softer with more flavor.

Lift_hard_eat_big

I agree about the eggs. We buy organic brown eggs and they're yummy. Cage free baby!

Why does the color of the egg make any difference? (I've heard people say that before, that we should only buy brown eggs... We used to have them from our own hens and when the hens were brown, the eggs were brown. When the hens were white, the eggs were white. So what's the difference? Or does industrial production make a difference?

Well, I heard they use chemicals to turn some of the eggs white, but I dunno the truth. I just noticed the difference in taste on those. They tend to taste softer with more flavor.

Color is dependent on the breed, It has nothing to do with chemicals. I not only know this from studying food science and nutrition, my grandparents and parents raised hens and roosters :-)

kjw1031

The metastudy demonstrated that many of the nutritional or health benefit claims about organic foods are not borne out by statistically significant differences in overall health based on short-term studies. If you're just looking for the least expensive food that provides you with nutrition, this study basically demonstrates that there is little NUTRITIONAL difference between organic and non-organic. You'll still get basically the same doses of fiber, vitamins, fat, proteins, and carbohydrates in about the same proportions. So if that's your priority, skip the extra expense of organics.

The metastudy made no claims about the health benefits (and made no long-term claims of any kind) of avoiding specific pesticides, or the environmental/sustainability issues of using more natural products and techniques to grow food. So there are still potential health benefits of organic, and there are other benefits that you won't necessarily see at the dinner table, if such considerations are priorities to you.

If you're worried about consumption of pesticides, you should probably consider buying organic alternatives of foods that are generally eaten intact like apples, celery, and broccoli and foods that are soft-skinned like strawberries or potatoes that might absorb pesticides more readily. If you're REALLY worried about consumption of pesticides even in the trace amounts that might be absorbed or processed into the fruit despite a peeled or removed skin on foods like bananas and beets, then you might want to consider organic alternatives for those as well.

If your primary concern is sustainability and ecological impact of your food, then you may have to balance buying locally (transportation impacts) with buying organic (fertilization/pesticide impacts). Of course, if you have an organic farm nearby, there's a decent option for you if this is one of your primary priorities.

In short, organics are not healthier as food than conventional. Organics may use safer fertilizers and pesticides, though conventional uses "generally recognized as safe" products. Organics may be more sustainable and less polluting, but you have to balance that with where the food comes from - shipping an organic apple from New Zealand to New England is probably a whole lot less ecologically sound than buying a sprayed apple from a farm 5 miles from your house.

So why do you buy organic? It may still be worth it. Or not.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This was exactly what the study said.

Nina2503

For vegetables I find that growing my own is best. I know what I do (or rather dont) put into the soil and therefore into my mouth, plus growing your own is a nice hobby and there is nothing like picking and cooking your own veg/fruit even if its just for the taste alone

allyjoy83

From the USDA's website -

“‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole."

Organic farming entails:

-Use of cover crops, green manures, animal manures and crop rotations to fertilize the soil, maximize biological activity and maintain long-term soil health.

-Use of biological control, crop rotations and other techniques to manage weeds, insects and diseases.

-An emphasis on biodiversity of the agricultural system and the surrounding environment.

-Using rotational grazing and mixed forage pastures for livestock operations and alternative health care for animal wellbeing.

-Reduction of external and off-farm inputs and elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and other materials, such as hormones and antibiotics.

-A focus on renewable resources, soil and water conservation, and management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological balance.”

Naples6020

If you give your animals shots or medicine of any kind they are not certified organic anymore. Includes chickens, and eggs will not be organic either. (Does Not include natural alternative remedies)

ifyouknew

Depends what you mean by 'worth it'. A scientific study done a couple of years ago showed that people who eat organic foods do not get any health benefits from doing so. However, we all benefit from reduced levels of cancer-causing pesticides in our surroundings. So I think buying organic is worth it, if you can afford it- not for your own health necessarily, but for the benefit of all of us.

Unfortunately where I live, people are still allowed to use pesticides on their lawns, so we all get exposed to them anyway

allyjoy83

From the US EPA's website:

Federal law requires that before selling or distributing a pesticide in the United States, a person or company must obtain registration, or license, from EPA. Before registering a new pesticide or new use for a registered pesticide, EPA must first ensure that the pesticide, when used according to label directions, can be used with a reasonable certainty of no harm to human health and without posing unreasonable risks to the environment. To make such determinations, EPA requires more than 100 different scientific studies and tests from applicants. Where pesticides may be used on food or feed crops, EPA also sets tolerances (maximum pesticide residue levels) for the amount of the pesticide that can legally remain in or on foods.

Most states conduct a review of the pesticide label to ensure that it complies with federal labeling requirements and any additional state restrictions of use.