Clearing Up Organic Produce Confusion
When Should You Buy Organic Produce and When Will Conventional Produce Suffice?
If you’re wondering whether or not you really need to buy organic produce or if conventional produce will suffice, I’m here to help you sort through this complicated topic. Organic produce can definitely be a healthier alternative for you and your family, but it usually costs more -- which can put a dent in even the most generous grocery budget. If you want to know how to get the best of both worlds, read on…
Origin Matters
There are certain types of fruits and vegetables which you should always try to buy organic. Some examples include root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. Root vegetables lay very low to the ground, literally in the dirt and soil, so you many people prefer organic root vegetables rather than conventional. The prolonged exposure and contact that conventional carrots and potatoes have with the ground (and therefore pesticides) may pose a greater health risk than other types of fruits and vegetables.
You should definitely try to purchase organic cucumbers over conventional. Conventional cucumbers are treated with a waxy substance that helps them retain water, which causes them to weigh more on the produce scale. When you buy organic cucumbers, you don’t have to worry about that.
It is also important to purchase organic greens. It is difficult to wash the pesticide residue off lettuce and spinach completely. Raspberries are another produce item that can be hard to wash completely.
Sometimes It Doesn’t Matter
There are certain types of fruits and vegetables that you can buy as conventional produce rather than organic. Bananas have a hard, outer covering. You can purchase conventional bananas in order to save money and won’t be exposing you and your family to excessive pesticides. In general, if you are peeling an item and aren’t eating the skin, you don’t have to purchase organic. If you eat the apple whole, stick with organic, but if you are planning to peel apples to make a dessert, you can buy conventional.
Keep the above tips in mind the next time you go to the grocery store. Organic produce is certainly more expensive, so you can save a little money by only buying organic when it is necessary and preferable.