Organic foods: What are they, and why should I eat them?

I had another great question from someone asking about buying organic, and what my opinion is on the subject. There are a lot of debates out there...  I know people who only buy organic, and some people who don't even know what it means. Organic foods are foods that are produced without modern synthetic inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMO's), and are not processed using chemical food additives.

I definitely think there is something to buying organic. There is a risk of pesticides and chemicals, but research has shown that non-organic foods do not have as much nutrients as organic foods. "It’s a difference in soil fertility, says Mitchell: “With organic methods, the nitrogen present in composted soil is released slowly and therefore plants grow at a normal rate, with their nutrients in balance. Vegetables fertilized with conventional fertilizers grow very rapidly and allocate less energy to develop nutrients.” Buying conventional produce from local farmers also has benefits. Nutrient values in produce peak at prime ripeness, just after harvest. As a general rule, the less produce has to travel, the fresher and more nutrient-rich it remains." http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/green_sustainable/organic_or_not_is_organic_produce_healthier_than_conventional

There are some people who are very passionate about buying organic. However it can be more costly.

"Going organic is good for you and the Earth, but if you can't always afford it -- since organic can cost

50%-100% more -- experts recommend spending most of your organic food dollars on produce and the foods you eat most often. " http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

In my opinion, the most important thing is just trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, rather than stressing about the extra cost. There are not very many people out there these days that eat their daily serving requirements. (How many of you have eaten your veggies today??) "The truth is that most Americans eat so badly — we get 7 percent of our calories from soft drinks, more than we do from vegetables; the top food group by caloric intake is “sweets”; and one-third of nation’s adults are now obese — that the organic question is a secondary one. It’s not unimportant, but it’s not the primary issue in the way Americans eat." http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.html

Here's food for thought, everyone: If you can eliminate some (OR ALL) of the sugary, processed food you consume on a regular basis, you will have that extra money to buy healthier food!!! (Anyone heard me say this before??) The worst excuse ever is that you can't afford to eat well.  Well then I guess you can afford those carbonated beverages, cookies and potato chips?? Hmmmm....

We don't buy junk food, so I personally don't mind spending a few extra dollars on healthy food. Sometimes I buy organic, and sometimes I don't. Unfortunately, we do not live near a grocery store that carries a lot of organic produce, so we try to buy locally as often as we can. Farmer's markets are a great way to do that, but again, we don't have those nearby either. We have our own garden too, and that is our goal... to grow as much as we can on our own.

Mrs. Obama also emphasized that there were many changes Americans can make if they don’t have the time or space for an organic garden.“You can begin in your own cupboard,” she said, “by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.html

Should you be worried about buying organic? Not nearly as worried as you should be if you don't eat healthy food in the first place. If you have some healthy habits in place, and you are getting most of your daily serving requirements, then you should start looking at organic foods, and deciding if it's the right thing for you and your family.