Organic? or no?

sselraef

I've been trying to stick mostly to fruits and veges since I started this health kick
and I've been buying a lot of organic ones, simply because I hate going to a billion stores
and only one store around here has kombucha, sooo I just get the rest of my food at that place...
I know its cheaper to not do organic
but is it better for you in the long run?

suv_hater

I would try to adhere to this list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

sselraef

I would try to adhere to this list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

thank you very much

monty619

in terms of body comp it wont make a difference... in terms of helping the environment, it probably wont make a difference either.. in terms of hurting your wallet, definately will make a difference.

slenderbecky

I buy organic produce unless the price is just ridiculous. I'm willing to fork over an extra 10 or 20 cents/pound, but not an extra $2/pound!

I also find the dirty dozen list helpful. Regardless of price, I just can't bring myself to eat a non-organic apple. Luckily I live in Washington and I can get organic, locally grown apples for pretty cheap 9 months out of the year.

Rubyayn

Everyone feels differently about the importance or necessity of organics. Personally, my family eats all organic. Even if it means we have to pinch pennies elsewhere and cook all of our food. We are by no means rich, but we have made it a priority because we firmly believe that if you don't pay for it now in quality, non GMO food, you pay for it later in medical costs.

blackmantis

I would only be interested in organic leafy greens all other items I will simply wash and skin. Buying everything organic is not required.

chocolate_moose

Nutritionally speaking, it doesn't make a difference, but organic fruits and veggies are not sprayed with chemicals. So it's really a personal choice. Just wash your fruits and veggies really well.

LizCO2DC

I personally eat organic, but if you're worried about cost I would pick and choose what to eat. If you eat meat or dairy, I think organic is the most important since regular is FULL of hormones.

DanaDark

Wash your produce before consuming and you should be fine. I always wash mine simply out of concern with the fact who knows who has been touching it with what germs between being harvested, transported, handled, and displayed at the store.

The benefit of organic is simply not having to worry about the sheer remote chance that you are the 1/100,000,000 that will keel over and die from some remotely trace chemical that is designed specifically to kill a specific insect without harming the produce at all.

The downside to organic is the cost. If that is not an issue for you at all, then no real downside.

yowza101

If I had food allergies, etc. then I would...but I don't. They are more costly. Have there really been any dynamic studies regarding eating organic vs regular food. From what I've seen only difference is in the pocket book. People buy organic but cook the food the same way, so you're still putting oils, butter, etc...on this so called healthier meat and veges. At least that is how I see it.

JustJennie1

"Organic" is such a joke. The standards for what is deemed organic is laughable. The fact that a company can deem their chicken as "free range" simply because they had a tiny box out in the sun to scratch around in for a few minutes a day goes to show what the government standards for labeling things are.

drmerc

in terms of body comp it wont make a difference... in terms of helping the environment, it probably wont make a difference either.. in terms of hurting your wallet, definately will make a difference.

this guy nailed it

Chief_Rocka

Probably not better for you.

sselraef

Everyone feels differently about the importance or necessity of organics. Personally, my family eats all organic. Even if it means we have to pinch pennies elsewhere and cook all of our food. We are by no means rich, but we have made it a priority because we firmly believe that if you don't pay for it now in quality, non GMO food, you pay for it later in medical costs.

that's kind of what I was thinking,
I don't have insurance,
so i've been doing as much as I can healthwise through food
again, just wondering if organic is worth it

solyhhit

I eat both I guess. I won't go out of my way for organic unless I'm picking up at the farmer's market.

I'm in no way and organic food lover in the grocery stores though. I find the taste often suffers as my ex would always try and sneak them in.

but farmer's market or local garden? You can't beat that.

cdpark617

Local first
Then Organic
If I have to out of state
Some fruits require import, but only a few.

LucyMcNibbles

I recommend these articles.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/science/earth/study-questions-advantages-of-organic-meat-and-produce.html

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2012/09/04/is-organic-food-better

Cerebrus189

Do you honestly believe all the lies regarding GMOs feeding the world? In my research, you should avoid them at all costs, especially soft-skinned fruit and vegetables, as these are sprayed with millions of pounds of chemicals. It's been said that organics are not superior but when my body has to fight chemicals instead of gathering nutrients, organics are definitely superior.

There is a movie showing online for free this week and sponsored by Nutiva. It's a real eye-opener. I highly suggest it to everybody who eats GMO foods without blinking an eye.

http://geneticroulettemovie.com/

kenazfehu

I have a list that tells me which organic purchases matter the most, otherwise no.

MellyGibson

For me it isn't a case of "Organic" or "Non-organic" but of "Local" vs. "Shipped In". I buy local as much as I possibly can, since it's apt to have more nutrients.

There was a study that has just caught a lot of media attention lately stating that the organic foods do not have more nutritional value, and the "pesticides" that the non-organic foods have is very miniscule. Personally, I'd prefer NO pesticides, so I do buy organic (local) as much as possible.

Justamanatee

As long as you wash your foods, it's not a huge difference (although I've found that organic strawberries last longer in the fridge than non-organic), healthwise. What does make a difference is the amount of processing. If you can cut down on the highly processed food, then it's generally better for you.

reddi2roll

Organic all the way esp. for the soft skinned fruits and vegetables. You can wash the skin but some of the pesticide is absorbed into the meat of the food and can't be washed away. Organic fruits last longer in storage so that may offset some of the cost.

bcampbell54

Organic standards are poor, and the benefits, both personal and global are also dubious. That said, it is worth researching which produce should be washed more thoroughly, or otherwise treated, especially if you feel that you harbor some sensitivities.
What you don't want to do is start cutting out your fresh food intake because the organic makes it too pricey for you.
I think locally grown (and therefore most likely seasonal) is a good way to start.

eillamarie

There is an epidemic of childhood illnesses (ADHD, autism, etc) that is correlating to the increase in chemicals and hormones in our food. It's not a coincidence. And the rise in diagnoses isn't just due to increased awareness and education. If I could afford to eat only organic food I would! I know first hand the effects of sugar and other toxins on the brain-my adult ADHD is immensely affected by it.

Be smart about it tho, food with a thick peel and onions and garlic absurd far less of thhe pesticides. As for meat & animal products I would go 100% if you could! Do you pump your body full of antibiotics and hormones? No, cuz it's unhealthy. So why eat food that has come from an animal like that?

MantisToboggan_MD

Yes, I prefer food that contains carbon.

KellyL23

I read Jillian Michael's Master Your Metabolism, and I now buy organic berries and apples, organic milk and eggs, and organic meat when possible. She talks about how the chemicals in non-organic produce/meats can reek havoc on your metabolism and make losing weight harder.

solyhhit

soft-skinned fruit and vegetables, as these are sprayed with millions of pounds of chemicals

Wow, that's one heavy apple.

I find that there's not a lot of grey area in this matter. Pro-organic people will give their slanted, propaganda, and those opposed will do the same. It really doesn't take much to label something as 'organic'. There's a lot of BS involved in the marketing. If you want to see the other side of the propaganda, watch Penn and Teller Bull**** - Organics and you will see it.

Both sides are full of a amazing amount of **** though.

meeka472

I eat local and organic whenever I can. It's a personal choice but I prefer not to eat genetically modified foods and pesticides. It may cost more in some cases but for me the benefits outweigh the cost.

WendyBlendy

Organic is definitely better for your body, but there are certain foods where it won't make a difference if they're organic or not, such as orangs (because of the peel).

bcattoes

I would try to adhere to this list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

I too try to buy organic if the food is on the EWG dirty dozen list. But, if I want the vegetable and organic isn't available, I buy it anyway. There is no evidence that eating organic is better for your health, though I don't know that anyone has really studied it much. The veggies I grow at home are all organic, but I do lose a lot to the bugs. :grumble: