15 foods you don’t need to buy organic

CrystalT

I found this article on Yahoo. I think I'm going to jot these down and keep them in mind when I go shopping. I wanted to share for anyone else interested in saving a little.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/whats-fresh-trying-to-save-money-15-foods-you-don-t-need-to-buy-organic-999969/

Here's the article.......

Although I enjoy the grocery store (maybe it’s because I’m a dietitian that I love checking out new products and comparing food labels), lately my husband is doing our grocery shopping.

His budget-friendly buys are great for our bank account. But they don’t always align with my interest in eating organically. We don’t buy everything organic, but pesticides can be absorbed into fruits and vegetables, leaving trace residues, and I’d prefer to not eat pesticides. Long-term exposure to them has been associated with cancer, infertility and neurologic conditions, such as Parkinson’s.

Anyway, one day he called me from the produce aisle. Andy wanted to know what on the list he truly needed to buy organic and what he could skimp on and buy conventional.

Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group (EWG, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization) has identified 15 fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues. I told him to save money and buy those conventional:

Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Cabbage
Eggplant
Kiwi
Mango
Onions
Papaya
Pineapple
Sweet corn (frozen)
Sweet peas (frozen)
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Watermelon
(Save even more money with these dinner recipes for $3 or less per serving.)

EWG also identified 12 fruits and vegetables that are most likely to have higher trace amounts of pesticides. We buy organic:

Apples
Carrots
Celery
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Kale
Lettuce
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Sweet bell peppers
Strawberries
Do you buy organic? What foods do you think it’s worth to save on and which do you spend more on for organic?


By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as an associate editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.

themethod

I find it interesting that tomatos are on the don't need to buy organic list. I always thought red fruits and vegetables carried the highest amount of pesticides because the color attracted so many insects. Perhaps it has to do with the inability of pesticides to permeate the skin of the tomato?

stylistchik

SO useful!! I've started to buy mostly organic fresh produce (I don't worry about frozen too much since we're obviously cooking it anyway) and the few processed foods we buy I try to stick to organic (tomato sauce, cheese, etc). Thanks for the article! Especially since I live in florida and the fresh local fruits and veggies are awesome!

byHISstrength

Great info, thanks!

I am not sure I agree with the tomato part, but I guess that's why we use our own discretion.

lt_mrcook

We grow our own organic tomatoes...seeds are WAY cheeper than veggies...:) Little more time and effort, but so worth it.

CrystalT

We grow our own organic tomatoes...seeds are WAY cheeper than veggies...:) Little more time and effort, but so worth it.

I agree. I grew tomatoes and cucumbers last year. I'm trying to figure out how to do it again this year. My stupid neighbour bought one of those stupid air powered soft pelt guns. So far, he's busted up all my outdoor Christmas decorations and shot out our front porch light. Plus, I'm pretty sure he and his daughter were stealing tomatoes last year. I just don't trust him not to ruin all my hard work. I'm really pretty ticked about it.

simona1972

I dont buy organic anyway, but that was an interesting list. I noticed cauliflower wasnt on either list and it's my favorite veg.

kalmf

Very interesting info, thanks for posting it.

I buy mostly organic and have a vegetable garden. I grow tomatoes ,cukes, broccolli, beans, onions, potatoes, etc. I've been least successful with cauliflower and peppers - but I'm trying again. If I could only grow one thing, it would be tomatoes - so different from store bought.

Crystal - what an oaf you have for a neighbor, you have my sympathy.

kelly_a

Thanks Crystal!!

I also buy organic milk, eggs (cage free), yogurt, and even granulated sugar. I am also getting rid of many of my diet / low-fat items. The real thing is always better in moderation!

CrystalT

Crystal - what an oaf you have for a neighbor, you have my sympathy.

I agree!!! He's kinda big and scary like an oaf, too. I won't talk to him.

aml0484

I just started buying some of my food in the organic section because I wanted to get away from all the ingredients that I can't pronounce. Good list I am going to write this down and keep it with me when I shop. Thanks for posting this!!