From the moment you step into the supermarket you are bombarded with buying decisions. Maybe the box of strawberries is on sale, or the kids are whining for sweet breakfast foods. One dilemma many people face in the decision-making process is whether to choose the organic or the ''regular'' version of a particular product. Research shows that the organic (agricultural) products are often safer and more nutritious, but not everyone can afford them.
So when is the extra expense worth it?
Here are the top 5 foods we believe you should always buy organic, even if your budget is tight.
1. Apples | An apple a day says hello to the doctor. That's because apples are a great source of fiber that keep your digestive tract in tiptop shape. Unfortunately, apples rank highest on the list of produce containing pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2015 report, 99 percent of apples tested contained at least one trace of pesticides. Our tip: Give your apples a good wash and go organic - this includes applesauce and apple juice.
2. Dairy products | Even if you have to watch your pennies, choose organic milk, cheese and yogurt. Certified organic dairy means the cows have not been given antibiotics or growth hormones and have consumed 100 percent organic feed. If you want to go one step further, look for organic milk (products) from grass-fed cows. This means that the dairy cow has a grain-free diet and that its diet consists overwhelmingly of grass.
3. Blueberries | A favorite in the summer. Look for the organic variety when you buy blueberries. These little guys have been found to contain more than 50 different traces of pesticides. So avoid the risk and buy the organic variety.
4. Celery | Is a good source of vitamin C, fiber and several B vitamins but go for organic if you buy celery. If you can't find organic celery, buy asparagus. There were 64 different types of pesticides found in celery, on the other hand, asparagus is at the top of the clean produce list, meaning it contains much less of these nasty chemicals.
5. Cherry Tomatoes | are used in many salads. For your next salad, go for organic cherry tomatoes! The USDA Pesticide Program found out after testing that cherry tomatoes carry 69 different pesticides! And since you eat the skin of the tomato almost all the time, again, it's super important to wash them thoroughly before eating them.
Do you always buy your foods organic, "regular" or a mix of both? Are there any foods you always buy organic? If so, which ones? Share your opinions with us.
Click here to learn more
You might also find the following articles interesting:
