Is Organic Food Better For You? Here’s What Experts Say

Here’s what you need to know the next time you’re in the organic section of your grocery store.

Some organic foods may have additional safety and nutritional benefits, but buying only organic foods is not the only way to have a safe, healthy and nutritious diet.

You have probably noticed the difference in price between organic and non-organic foods in the supermarket. Sometimes, it can be significant and amazing. So is organic food better for you and worth the money?

Maybe your healthy friends have told you that organic food is the healthier option. Or maybe you don’t know anything about it. Either way, the price difference might make you scratch your head and walk away.

So we talked to health and nutrition experts about the benefits of organic food, what organic really means, if it’s better for you, and of course, if it’s worth your hard-earned dollar.

What does organic food mean?

You’ve seen organic labels and heard people talk about their organic products. But what does organic mean?

In the simplest terms, organic refers to how their food was grown and produced. These foods include fresh produce, meat, grains, and dairy products.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates and certifies whether foods are organic. They label foods so you can tell if you’re buying organic groceries or not.

For food to be considered organic, must be grown without synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and GMOs (or genetically modified organisms). In addition, the cattle must have fair living conditions, such as being raised on pasture. They should also not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products to help them grow faster.

Also, always be sure to look for the USDA organic label when shopping. This means that the food production methods have been approved by the USDA and are regulated. While some brands may label their foods “natural,” don’t be fooled. It’s that USDA organic label you want.

Is organic food better for you?

Based on exactly what organic food means, it’s easy to assume that it’s better for you, and it’s often repeated that it is. let’s talk about why people believe that.

Kylene BogdenRD, the co-founder of FWDFuel Y pure boost Ambassador, spoke with LifeSavvy about the risk of synthetic chemicals and antibiotics that could enter your diet through non-organic foods.

“More and more research is emerging showing that many harmful chemicals can be avoided by buying organic,” Bodgen said.

Bodgen explained to LifeSavvy that buying organic food is the best way to limit your toxic exposure as organic products have done. less pesticide residue. That makes for a healthier and safer diet.

But it’s not just about security. Buying organic food could also have nutritional benefits.

“For consumers who can afford it, organic might be the right choice,” he said. Frances Largeman RothRDN, expert in food and nutrition.

Largeman-Roth told LifeSavvy that organic meats and dairy products have a healthier fatty acid profile, with omega-3 fats, which are high in health benefitsincluding reduced inflammation and better heart health.

While there are only a limited number of studies proving the benefits of organic food, there are preliminary evidence to suggest that this is the case. Plus, both of our experts agree: Eating organic food is the best way to limit your toxic exposure and potentially improve the overall nutrition in your diet.

Should you buy all organic food?

While the evidence seems to point towards buying organic food as a way to improve some aspects of nutrition and safety, not everyone can afford it. After all, we have seen the grocery cost has skyrocketed in recent months, and that has only made buying organic more difficult for many families.

So does all food have to be organic?

the Environmental Working Group (EWG) created a list of products that they advise you to always buy organic. According to the organization, these foods have the highest amount of pesticide residues and can lead to the greatest exposure. Called “the dirty dozen,” this list is the items you should strive to buy organically. the dirty dozen It includes:

• strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale, Collard Greens, and Mustard Greens
• Nectarines
• apples
• Grapes
• bell and hot peppers
• cherries
• peaches
• pears
• Celery
• Tomatoes

On the other hand, you don’t need to buy organic produce on the EWG’s “clean fifteen” list. If you’re looking for a way to buy organic but save money, these are the items with the least chemical exposure. the clean fifteen It includes:

• avocados
• Sweet corn
• Pineapple
• Onions
• Papaya
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Asparagus
• sweet melon
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Mushrooms
• Cantaloupe
• handles
• Watermelon
• Sweet potatoes

As for the general rule of thumb for when to buy organic and when to stick with conventional foods, Bogden told LifeSavvy that you’ll want to buy organic when you can’t remove the most exposed outer layer. When it comes to priorities, she suggested focusing more on buying the “dirty dozen” organically.

However, organic foods are not just products. meat also has organic options, but the science surrounding it is a bit fuzzy. Like fruits and vegetables, there are few studies exploring the difference between organic and non-organic meat, but they are not comprehensive enough to provide a firm answer. Some studies have found that organic meat offers more antioxidants— inflammation fighters that may help prevent disease. However, a 2010 studyposited that buying organic meat just because you believe in extra nutrition doesn’t give you much extra nutrition at all.

While some would point to the addition of antibiotics in non-organic meat, antibiotic levels in meat are low because the United States has strict regulations to ensure contaminated food doesn’t make it into the supply chain. the National Waste Program oversees all exhibits in the United States. While overuse of antibiotics could lead to resistant bacteria, the USDA updates its regulations to account for overuse.

When it comes to buy organic meatthis is an area you can probably skip over as there are few studies showing significant nutritional benefits and safety concerns are highly regulated.

What should you do if you can’t buy organic food?

No matter how much you want to buy organic food, due to budget constraints, some families may not be able to do so. It’s okay. There should be no shame around affordability needs.

Nevertheless, Ecological agriculture it is much more labor-intensive and time-consuming, which influences prices. Certification is also expensive, with organic animal feed costing significantly more. This means that organic food prices are unlikely to go down.

However, there is good news. There are still ways to eat well. To start, make sure wash and scrub your produce under running water.

Although this process may not remove all pesticides, it can also peel your fruits and vegetables. But keep in mind that this can remove some of the healthy nutrients on the outside of the product.

Bodgen also had money-saving tips if you want to slowly start buying organic without breaking the bank. She suggested buying season productsbuy locally and even work with local organic farmers in exchange for possible discounts.

So while organic food can be expensive, if you can’t afford it, washing and preparing your food properly and looking for creative savings are ways to eat healthy or include organic food in your diet.

So overall, is organic food worth it?

We have good news for your budget. Both registered dietitians agree that you can still eat well without buying all organic food.

“The single most important factor for your health is eating a variety of foods with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes,” said Largeman-Roth.

He also pointed out that only 10% of the US population eats the right amount of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis and stressed that it is more important for people to have a proper diet than to focus on eating only organic foods.

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If possible, mix conventional and organic foods in your diet. Always try to buy the dirty dozen organically and wash your produce well. While you prepare your food, maintain food safety rules in mind for a safe, well-balanced diet. But above all, make sure your diet is balanced and nutritious.