The 411 on Buying Organic Food
Don't go broke going organic.
1 / 11
Going Green! - We are living in an organic revolution! But with so many more options out there, it can be overwhelming. Do you know what you need and what you don’t? What can you spend more for and what is a waste of your money? Read and find out. — Kellee Terrell(Photo: Andersen Ross/Getty Images)
2 / 11
Organic Produce Is Not More Nutritious - Contrary to popular belief, a 2012 study confirmed that organic fruits and vegetables are not any more nutritious than conventional produce. But what organic produce does offer you are less pesticides and chemicals, which is important too. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
3 / 11
Organics Are More Expensive! - Although it’s unfair, on average, organic fruits and veggies can cost 50 percent more than conventional ones and organic meats and milk can be 100 percent more expensive. So keep that in mind when deciding what you are willing to spend extra on. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)
4 / 11
Splurge: Milk and Dairy - Organic milk, yogurt, creamer and other daily products are worth the money. These products have less hormones in them because the cows that they come from were fed a healthier diet. Plus, they have higher levels of omega-3s. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
5 / 11
Skip: Fruits and Veggies With Thicker Skin - Thick skin on produce protects the inner layers (what we usually eat) from the pesticides that are sprayed on veggies. So if you can’t afford it, it’s OK to skip on bananas, avocados, oranges and grapefruits. (Photo: Sandra Mu/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 11
Splurge: Meat and Poultry - This is one thing to spend extra cash on. Organic chicken and pork were 33 percent less likely than their conventional counterparts to have antibiotic resistant bacteria living within them. (Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
7 / 11
Skip: Condiments - Unless you can afford it or your local store offers it at a low-price, you don’t need organic ketchup, mayo, mustard, spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, etc. Sometimes, even the organic brands still have unhealthy ingredients like corn syrup and are high in sodium. Read the labels first!(Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
8 / 11
Splurge: Eggs - Organic eggs are void of pesticides, hormones, arsenic and other chemicals. They too have more omega-3 acids in them as well. (Photo: Adam Berry/Getty Images)
9 / 11
Skip: Seafood - Here’s the thing: Organic seafood doesn’t really exist. The USDA has no real guidelines set up for them. So instead, opt for low-mercury seafood such as salmon (wild), tuna, scallops, catfish and tilapia for healthier seafood options. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
10 / 11
Splurge: Thin Skinned Foods - Non-organic, thinner skinned fruits and vegetables are more likely to have pesticides absorbed in what you are actually digesting. So splurge on organic apples, cherries, strawberries, grapes, spinach, kale, etc. (Photo: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)