Organic fruits and vegetables are increasingly available at grocery stores and supermarkets—but with so many options, how do you know when to buy conventionally grown products and when to buy organic produce?
Why Buy Organic Produce?
Organic fruits and vegetables are better for the environment, because no harmful pesticides or herbicides are used on organic farms. Organic produce is also better for you—because no matter how careful you are to wash non-organic items, there is often a residue of pesticides.
What to Buy
Organically grown produce is unfortunately more expensive and sometimes more difficult to find, depending on where you live. That means you will often have to make decisions between buying organic versus conventional items. According to research by the USDA and Environmental Working Group, it’s possible to determine the best ways to shop for fresh produce. Following is a list of produce items that you’ll want to buy organic (because the conventional variety carries the highest levels of pesticide contamination), and those items that are safer to purchase non-organic (as they carry the lowest levels of pesticide contamination).
Organic Produce List: Nectarines, celery, pears, peaches, apples, cherries, strawberries, imported grapes, spinach, potatoes, bell peppers and red raspberries.
Non-organic Produce List: Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, kiwi, mangoes, onions, papaya, pineapples and sweet peas.
Carry a List With You
You will shop impulsively—yes, even in the produce section!—when you’re not prepared with a list and idea of what you want. Make a list of the produce items that are best to buy organic. There are plenty of resources available online to easily download and print, such as a seasonal fruit and vegetable calendar.
Eating organic, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables will enhance your overall health, and knowing when to buy organic is an important first step. Perhaps even trying a spring detox, using organic produce, will give you an extra boost of energy.
Nathan Joynt works with Gaiam.com, a world leader in fitness and health and wellness media.