You have a choice: buy organic produce and spend more money or buy conventional and save money but sacrifice health?
If you keep these 10 ingredients organic, you can safely pick and choose between organic and conventional on everything else.
In his book, Diet for a Poisoned Planet, researcher David Steinman took a hard look at the conventional farming industry to discover which produce absorbs the most toxins. Using extremely sensitive laboratory detection—10 times stronger than that used by the FDA—he tested for more than 100 chemicals and pesticides to discover which ingredients must always be bought organic.
Top 10 Must Buy Organic
- Apples
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Peaches
- Pears
- Raisins
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Summer Squash
Foods You Can Buy Conventional
Turns out that there are still some conventionally grown fruit and produce that you can buy without worrying that you’re ingesting a mouthful of chemicals with every bite.
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Onions
- Papaya
- Pineapple
Definition of Organic
Organic is a term that everyone uses, but does everyone know exactly what it means? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program defines organic this way: organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products must come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic plant foods are produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. A government-approved certifier must inspect the farm to ensure these standards are met. In addition to organic farming, there are USDA standards for organic handling and processing.
They go on to explain that there are three levels of organic claims on food labels:
- 100-percent Organic. Products that are completely organic or made of only organic ingredients qualify for this claim and a USDA Organic seal.
- Organic. Products in which at least 95 percent of its ingredients are organic qualify for this claim and a USDA Organic seal.
- Made with Organic Ingredients. These are food products in which at least 70 percent of ingredients are certified organic. The USDA organic seal cannot be used but “made with organic ingredients” may appear on its packaging.
What ingredients do you always make sure to buy organic? Do you commit to green living with organic food and eco-friendly products and services? What improvements have you noticed in your health or appearance by maintaining a green lifestyle?
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