The Organic Decision and Critically Organic Produce

Lets face it. Buying Organic can be expensive.

For some of us it is a real reality and for others it is a false reality.

How can it be a false reality? Well...if you have been following my blog I will tell you why it is a false reality for Jamie and I.

It is the alternate use of the same amount of money that matters. Although you can tell from my blog that Jamie and I end up eating out a fair bit, we used to eat out almost every night.

Jamie wasn't really into organic foods until he watched "Food Inc". If you haven't watched this movie WATCH IT!. I think it was the inhumane treatment of animals that won him over, although we both realize organic does not necessarily equal humane. You have to be as careful as you can.

The big issue for us was always the cost of going organic and we still struggle with that, but it was our realization of the TRUE cost that really started us on the right road.

About a year ago we were looking at an organic whole chicken and the price was just under $30. We thought. That is ridiculous! We would never pay $30 for a chicken!

We then left the store and went out for dinner. We each ordered chicken dinners where we basically got one breast, some vegetables and mashed potatoes. The bill was over $30 before we added in the drinks that we wouldn't have had if we had not been there.

That is when the ball dropped. If we simply made our own food at home we could eat organic and actually SAVE money!

We aren't perfect and we don't stress about it but we now eat organic as much as possible. The price can still be bothersome, particularly for meat, so we tend to pay twice as much and eat half as much. One half our normal serving size of meat is healthier anyway and tends to make things balance out better.

I realize though, that not everyone is in this scenario, and that even if you are, sometimes you still have to make cost effective choices. That begs the question: What should I buy organic and what should I not? I personally believe that when at home all meat should be organic. I don't stress about it when I am out as I know I am keeping things to a minimum overall.

If you are going to cut back on organic costs the produce department can be one of the best places where leeway is entirely possible.

In my Nutrition class the other day we were directed to the Environmental Working Group Website . It is a great website and you will find The Shopper's Guide To Pesticides . They evaluate food as it is normally eaten (if it is normally eaten washed and peeled they evaluate it washed and peeled).

From here they made a list of the 12 produce items that you should buy organic if you possibly can. EWG research has found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the "Dirty Dozen" consume and average of ten pesticides a day!

The 12 produce items that you should really buy organic are:

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collard Greens
11. Potatoes
12. Imported Grapes

The also have a list of the "Clean 15". These are the produce items that are lowest in pesticides (likely only to get 2 pesticides a day if you eat these in non-organic form):

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantelope
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon.

So there you have it! Your shoppers guide to organic/non-organic produce.

Of course buying all produce organic will ensure a higher level of nutrients in your diet, but if you have to "give" somewhere, the "Clean 15" would be the place to do it.

On a personal note yesterday was a "planned" day. I went out to dinner and a comedy show with friends and had Spaghetti and Meatballs and light beer. Am I concerned? Not in the least.

Why? Because I planned for it and ate light and healthy during the day :-)

Be healthy!

Alan