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When To Buy Organic

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In a perfect world we would all have endless grocery budgets and only eat organic, grass-fed, wild caught meats and organic vegetables.  Yeah Right? !  Sadly that fantasy world doesn’t exist for most of us, sometimes cost is a factor and other times it’s availability.  So, when is it best to buy organic and when is it just fine to buy conventional?

What does Organic mean?

Here is what the USDA has to say:

USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.

Produce can be called organic if it’s certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In instances when a grower has to use a synthetic substance to achieve a specific purpose, the substance must first be approved according to criteria that examine its effects on human health and the environment (see other considerations in “Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited Substances”).

As for organic meat, regulations require that animals are raised in living conditions accommodating their natural behaviors (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones.

 

Prioritizing Your Grocery List

Meat, Poultry, and Eggs:

 If you cannot find meat, poultry, or eggs that are certified organic or it’s not within your budget, look for product labeling that states “No hormones” and “No antibiotics”.  Do not be fooled if the packaging uses the word “natural”. This is not the same as organic. The USDA defines natural as “a product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed”. This does not mean that it does not contain added hormones or antibiotics. For more buying tips and what all the labeling lingo really means check out the Whole30 Guide to Guide to Good Meat. 

Seafood:

 There is no organic certifications for seafood in this country.  Seafood is either farm-raised or wild-caught. Sustainable wild-caught seafood is always the best choice. Farm-raised or wild-caught, it is always best to check the country of origin. Countries like China and Vietnam do not have the same level of management standards we have here in the United States. So, buy local or look for fish raised and caught in the United States. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch uses a rigorous, science-based process to grade seafood choices as “best choices,” “good alternatives,” or seafood to “avoid.” Checking this guide or downloading the app before heading to the grocery store is the smartest way to decide which seafood is safe and sustainably caught.

 

Produce: 

Each year the Environmental Working Group puts out a list of its Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. These are the non-organic fruits and vegetables with the highest concentration of pesticides and the ones with the least. The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce is based on laboratory tests done by the USDA Pesticide Testing Program and the Food and Drug Administration. Most data comes from USDA tests, which include a large number of food crops and pesticide residues.  You can read the full report here. Use these lists as a reference when purchasing your produce at the grocery store.

 

2018 Dirty Dozen

*These are the fruits and vegetables with the highest concentration of pesticides and are best to buy organic. 

 

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Nectarines
  4. Apples
  5. Grapes
  6. Peaches
  7. Cherries
  8. Pears
  9. Tomatoes
  10. Celery
  11. Potatoes
  12. Sweet bell peppers

2018 Clean 15

*These are the fruits and vegetables with the least concentration of pesticides and are safe to buy non-organic.

  1. Avacados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Cabbage
  5. Onions
  6. Sweet peas
  7. Papayas
  8. Asparagus
  9. Mangos
  10. Eggplant
  11. Honeydew
  12. Kiwi
  13. Cantaloupe
  14. Cauliflower
  15. Broccoli

*Whether buying organic or conventional fruits and vegetables, it is always best to wash your produce before consuming it. Below is a homemade vegetable wash that will help reduce unwanted waxes, pesticides and other residue from your produce.

 

 

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 Fruit & Vegetable Wash
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Ingredients
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Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Place your fruits and vegetables in a freshly cleaned sink and fill sink 3/4 of the way with cold water.
  2. Add in 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and let soak for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove produce and dry thoroughly before storing.
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