To Buy Organic or Not Organic, That is the Question

Buying organic can often increase your grocery bill by 50%. For many, that is too high a price tag. We could easily get into a debate on the benefits of organic foods and the brain development of our children. Or if indeed organically grown food is nutritionally superior to conventionally grown or if it tastes better. Or the controversy over whether or not it is better to buy foods locally grown or organically grown. However, what my research has unfolded is this, there is a list called the dirty dozen, the 12 fruits and vegetables that have the most contamination when conventionally grown.

Dirty Dozen:

  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Apples
  • Spinach
  • Nectarines
  • Celery
  • Pears
  • Cherries
  • Potatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Raspberries
  • Grapes (imported)
Additionally some experts in the field also recommend that beef, milk, coffee, tomatoes, peaches and lettuces be added to this list as they too can have high contamination levels.

This is a list of items that if you can, try for organic. They are the middle of the road as contamination levels go:
  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Hot peppers
  • Oranges
  • Apricots
  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Collard greens
  • Grapes (domestic)
  • Turnip greens
  • Honeydew melon
  • Lettuce
  • Kale
  • Mushrooms
  • Cantaloupe
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Grapefruit
  • Winter squash
  • Blueberries
  • Watermelon
  • Plums
  • Tangerines
  • Cabbage
Foods that show the least level of contamination when grown conventionally:
  • Papaya
  • Kiwi
  • Bananas
  • Broccoli
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Peas
  • Mango
  • Cauliflower
  • Pineapple
  • Avocado
  • Corn
Additionally, there is no USDA organic certification yet for seafood; even seafood raised in the wild can contain mercury, PCBS and other contaminants. Check the safe seafood link at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or call your local Wildlife and Game department for more information about local fishing. Processed foods may also contain non-organic ingredients, so read the labels. Besides processing of foods reduces it’s nutritionally value anyway so you want to limit these in your diet.