Organic vs. Non-organic: Does It Really Matter?
Since raising monarch butterflies, I learned that the caterpillars will only survive on their milkweed host plant IF it is pesticide free. If it is not, then they will fall off, squirm around, produce green vomit, and die 95% of the time. It got me thinking, what does our non-organic produce do to our insides if it’s killing an insect? Yes we are bigger and stronger than they are, but think about it…if those caterpillars are dying, maybe pesticides are slowly killing us too….hmmmm, something to think about. And what about our kids? Do we really want our kids ingesting this stuff? So I did some research on this topic.
Scientists have shown that children age 5 and under ingest an average of eight pesticides each day. And young children, whose internal organs and systems are developing rapidly, are particularly vulnerable to pesticides’ harmful effects.
Organic Is Better Because:
Studies have linked pesticide exposure to cancers, neurological damage as well as birth defects and even possible early onset of Parkinson’s.
Choosing fresh, organic ingredients you’ll not only lower the amounts of toxic pesticides in your body, but also halves your levels of bisphenol A and phthalates, both of which can alter your hormones.
Supporting organic farmers reduces the amount of pesticides, such as atrazine, that enter our waterways where they harm aquatic life and end up in our drinking water supplies.
Sustaining and helping organic farms grow also provides habitats for many more species than conventional agriculture. Among those animals that benefit are song birds, which thrive on insects found in organic fields.
5 Foods You NEEd To Buy Organic:
The best foods to buy organic are apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery and strawberries.
Nonorganic Seasonal Options:
While there are many reasons to buy organic foods not everyone can find fresh organic produce at their corner store, or afford the premium price tags, so it’s important to remember that there are some smart shopping decisions we can make that will help us save money while also reducing the pesticides on our plates.
Organic is not the only option for people that want to reduce the amount of pesticides they consume. There are fruits and vegetables that are known for having very low pesticide residues.
Costs:
Organic foods can cost more than non-organic, sometimes 40 to 50 percent more. If you’re like me though, you really can’t put a price on your health. Below are the Fresh Direct prices for 1 piece of produce:
| Food | Organic Price | Conventional | ||
| Asparagus | $4.99 | $2.99 | ||
| Avocado | $2.99 | $1.99 | ||
| Sweet Peas | $1.59 | $1.59 | ||
| Grapefruit | $2.49 | $0.89 | ||
| Onions (Y) | $1.29 | $0.99 | ||
| Sweet Corn | $2.89 | $1.69 | ||
| Pineapple | $5.99 | $3.99 | ||
| Mango | (no organic option) | $1.99 | ||
Note some of the most important produce to buy organic:
Apples, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Lettuce, Potatoes, Strawberries
| Food | Organic Price | Conventional | ||
| Fuji Apple x4 | $4.89 | $3.89 | ||
| Bell Pepper | $4.99/lb. | $1.99 | ||
| Carrots | $1.99/bag | $.89 | ||
| Celery | $3.99 | $3.49 | ||
| Lettuce | $2.99 | $1.99 | ||
| Potato | $1.49/lb. | $.99 | ||
| Strawberries | $5.99 | $4.99 | ||
Pesticides Used:
Knowing how many pesticides are used when growing your produce is important. Check out the table below to help you make informed decisions.
| Food | Percentage of Samples With Pesticides | Total Number of Pesticides |
| Asparagus | 6.60% | 22 |
| Avocado | 1.40% | 2 |
| Sweet Peas | 22.90% | 5 |
| Grapefruit | 54.50% | 10 |
| Onions (Y) | 0.20% | 2 |
| Sweet Corn | 3.70% | 3 |
| Pineapple | 7.70% | 6 |
| Mango | 7.10% | 13 |
Based on what I know pesticides can do and what it DOES do, my recommendation would be to go completely organic. Do you ever wonder why people are getting sick all the time, why there is so much cancer? It all boils down to what we actually put in our bodies. Like I mentioned earlier, and I will reiterate it, you really can’t put a price on your health. Sure, going organic may cost a little more, but if you don’t go organic, you may pay A LOT MORE later on when you’ve been diagnosed with stage IV cancer when you may have been able to prevent it.
Our bodies are a temple of the Lord. We need to do everything in our power to take care of it. That means staying active, nourishing our bodies properly, and being selfless to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our loved ones.
