Why Pick Organic Food Over Conventionally Grown Food

I love vegetables and fruits, but for various reasons I have stopped buying some of them, such as carrots, bell peppers, nectarines, peaches and strawberries etc. One time I brought a bag of carrots from a supermarket and ended up throwing them out because the carrots are tasteless and dry. Some bell peppers have a strange chemical flavor. Even after washing, and cooking, it’s still there. Nectarines, peaches and strawberries used to be my favorite fruits, now they are on my blacklist. Often they look irresistible, big and shining. Yet the meat tastes unnatural, dry and tart, sometimes even bitter.

A recent study done by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S. shows that 12 common fruits and vegetables contain the highest pesticide levels on average. (Perhaps that answers why some fruits and vegetables taste awful these days.) The fruits are: Apples, Nectarines, Peaches, Grapes (Imported), Pears, Cherries and Strawberries. The Vegetables are: Kale, Bell Peppers, Lettuce, Carrots, and Celery. Because of their high pesticide levels when conventionally grown, it is best to buy them organic.

Organic products are more expensive. However, there are several ways for average people to save money and eat well at the same time. If you have a big back yard, and some spare time, grow your own organic vegetables, or fruit trees. It may require lots of work, but look at the bright side, compare to planning flowers, you also enjoy the fruit of your labor.

The second best thing is to shop around. The good news is that more and more supermarkets are carrying Organic products, and prices may vary depend on where you go. Stores like ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Path Mark, H-Mart, etc. carries limited organic products. If you pay special attention to the weekly ads or pass thru each section carefully, you will find products with the Organic Certified Seal on them, and every week, certain organic items may be on sale. Stock plenty when the price is low, but watch out for the expiration date, make sure you consume the goods before they go bad.

For the freshest, and richest high quality Organic Products, I suggest go to the big store like “Whole Foods Market”, more than 65% of the products there are labeled Organic. You can easily find Organic (fresh, dried, or frozen) fruits, vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, wine, ice cream, chips, rice, nuts, flour, and many, many more. 7 days a week or one day a week, the store has special sales events, cutting prices from 10% to as much as 65%. I recently brought Organic Cherries for half price, $2.99 per lb. (one day only), which is lower than the conventional cherries, and they taste sensational. Trader Joe’s also carries some Organic Products, not as much as the Whole Food Market, but more than the average supermarkets.

If Organic Foods are too costly, you may also try these conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that have the lowest levels of pesticides. Most have thicker skin or peel, which naturally protects them better from pests, therefore does not require the use of as many pesticides. The fruits are: Kiwi, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Watermelon, Avocado, Sweet Potatoes, and the vegetables are: Asparagus, Onion, Broccoli, Cabbage, Corn, Eggplant, Peas, and Tomatoes.

Organic or conventional foods, no matter which one you decide in the end, wash the fruits, vegetable and your hands thoroughly. Good habit brings good health. And personally, I think Organic Foods taste much better than the Conventional Foods. I hope you agree.