Why would anyone choose to spend more money for an organic apple versus a commercially grown apple? Those individuals who spend the extra money for organically grown foods are almost always those who fully understand the direct benefits of consuming foods that are not grown using pesticides and other chemicals. Those individuals who spend the extra money are most likely those who are serious about their health and are passionate about the foods they put into their bodies.
As far as we know, the nutritional content of foods remains the same whether they are grown commercially using pesticides and other chemicals or whether they are grown naturally. Studies on this are still being conducted but the studies do show and simple logic will dictate that foods grown in ground that is treated with pesticides and fertilizers containing chemicals will absorb certain amounts of these potentially poisonous chemicals and then pass it along to anyone who consumes the food.
How much pesticides and chemicals enter the foods you buy depends on the grower and the type of food. However, it just makes good sense that if you are greatly concerned about your health and wellness, you will also be greatly concerned about any potential toxins that you feed your body. The organic produce cost weighed against your overall health should be an important consideration for everyone. This is the motivation for paying a higher price for organically grown foods.
Can I Go Organic on a Budget?
If you have a tight budget it can be difficult to buy all your foods organically grown. The price is higher. The good news is that as more and more consumer information spreads and more people are buying organic foods, the cost factor will be dropping over time. For now, a more economical way to buy organic foods for your health and still maintain a modest budget for your groceries, you can buy organic vegetables and fruits that are in the top twelve lists of those foods that have the highest pesticide residue. Buy buying these foods from the organically grown section of your grocery; you will at least be eliminating the highest risk foods. According to the EWG, Environmental Working Group of Washington D.C. these foods are as follows:
Organic fruits
Organic vegetables
These twelve foods are considered the 'dirty dozen' according to researchers. However, there are other foods that do contain pesticides that can easily be added to your regular organic shopping list that will not damage your budget too much. These foods are as follows:
These foods are something you probably don’t buy every time you shop so when you do buy these why not spend just a little more and get a product you know is safe for your whole family.
Organic produce costs are worth stretching your budget:
Pesticides and chemicals found in commercially grown foods do damage to your immune system. Children do not have fully developed immune systems and therefore consuming foods that have a high content of pesticides will put their health at even higher risk than your own.
Organically grown foods are better for the environment so by buying these products you are indirectly helping the environment of your planet. Also, you are supporting the organic farmers and their workers by buying their products.
There are studies that say the pesticides and chemicals in foods will interfere with weight loss. Whether this is true or not, organic produce costs may be higher but just buying the fruits and vegetables from the ‘dirty dozen’ list will not only be well worth it for your overall health but for that of your family.
