With the knowledge that organic foods are typically grown using fewer chemicals, why do grocery shoppers still buy inorganic foods? The answer is simple: organic foods cost a whole lot more.
Still, when it comes to buying produce, there are foods that you should consider buying organically and others where this doesn’t really matter. Examples of foods where the regular old non-organic product doesn’t make that much of a difference are kiwis, melons, sweetcorns, pineapples, onions, cauliflower, and mushrooms, to name a few.
Most of us do not have the cash to splurge on expensive groceries every week, so if you’re on a budget and still want to buy organic, here’s a list of foods to prioritize.
Berries
Annual testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) finds that non-organic strawberries regularly carry residues of many types of pesticides. Blackberries are also due to special attention because of illegally high pesticide residue levels. Simply put, if you’re going to buy berries, go organic. Other fresh fruits such as conventionally produced cherries, apples, and applesauce should also be bought organically if possible.
Kale and spinach
These salad fixings have often been found to have potentially unhealthy pesticide residues. The USDA found insecticides in 76 percent of non-organic spinach samples, as well as different fungicides which kill mold and mildew.
Meat
If you eat meat, make sure to go organic. Non-organic chickens are often raised in tightly confined spaces with hundreds of other birds causing health problems and making them endure high levels of stress and frustration. Plus, the widespread use of antibiotics has been tied to antibiotic resistance health problems in humans. Beef farming is much of the same, as well as the milk that comes from these cows.
Oatmeal
Surprisingly enough, this is another food that should be bought organic as non-organic oat farmers spray their oats with herbicides to dry them out right before the harvest. These herbicides have been classified as probable human carcinogens.
Bread
Preservatives and other additives are almost four times higher in conventional bread than in organic bread. Potassium bromate is one of these additives and is banned in Europe as classified as a possible human carcinogen.
Tofu
Conventional tofu typically comes from soybeans sprayed directly with glyphosate weedkiller and other herbicides. So to avoid a weedkiller cocktail, it is best to avoid non-organic tofu.
Eggs
Instead of buying conventional eggs that come from chickens living in battery cages, choose organic eggs from chickens raised on a diet free from most pesticides and not confined to tight cages. These eggs are is better for your health and by buying them you are supporting more ethical methods of chicken farming.
