Organic versus non-organic food is becoming a hot topic. Foods are a necessity in our daily lives. We should eat at least three times a day to receive sufficient energy for a full working day. However, before eating the food on your plate, have you ever wondered where it came from or how it was made? Usually you go to your local supermarket to buy the ingredients to make some delicious meals for lunch and dinner. However, where do supermarkets get their supply? Is it organic? What’s the difference between organic and non-organic when it’s all being used for the same purpose? Is one better for you than the other?
What is Organic food?
Organic foods are foods that are produced with fewer chemicals and drugs. Most organic foods are created with no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetic engineering. Organic foods are much fresher than non-organic produce, and organic products do not use preservatives to prolong the shelf life of foods. Organic foods are delivered directly from the farm to our local supermarkets. In livestock, animals are free from cages and can naturally move with their instinct. Organic livestock aren’t raised with growth hormones and antibiotics.
With the growing popularity of organic foods, some people think that organic is much healthier than conventional foods. In nutritional facts, there is no significant difference between how much nutrients you can get from an organic food than in non-organic food. Organic is likely to be clean than non-organic food. In some cases, there are small to moderate increase in nutrition with organic foods and a higher level of omega-3 acids. The benefits of producing organic food are not just about the food itself. The method used for the organic process is good not just for health but also for the environment itself. Studies show that organic farms are using practices hugely beneficial to our environment. Organic farms help enhance soil and water quality and also help in reducing pollution. With healthy and clean livestock habitats, animals such as cows, chickens, and pig can exist in a freer environment more suited to their nature.
What is Non-organic food?
Unlike organic farming, non-organic farms use about 3000 synthetic fertilizers during their process. The use of chemicals and pesticides are common with inorganic foods or conventional foods. Conventional foods are described as food that almost looks “perfect” due to genetic engineering. Livestock are raised in cages and growth hormones and antibiotics are used, unlike organic livestock. One reason there is non-organic food is that conventional foods are much cheaper than organic foods.
Reasons why it is still safe to buy non-organic foods.
In regards to nutritional benefits, it is still okay to buy non-organic foods since there is no significant difference in the nutrients you can get from conventional foods and organic foods. Even though inorganic foods are produced with the use of chemicals such as pesticides, there are still different fruits and vegetables that can contain minimum pesticide. Most conventional foods cost less than organic foods.
Non-organic produced that contains high pesticide residue.
Knowing that non-organic products use pesticides and chemicals in their cultivation, some inorganic foods are likely to contain high pesticide residue. The foods listed below are usually cultivated using high levels of pesticides. These conventional foods show a significant amount of pesticide or chemical residue:
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Green Beans
- Snap Peas
Organic Foods to Buy On A Budget
Despite being pricey, there are still foods that are more beneficial to buy as organic as opposed to non-organic:
- Wines are made through fermentation of grapes. Grapes are usually fermented with the skin still attached. The pesticides always get connected to the surface of fruits. If bought non-organic, the pesticide residue will also be mixed in the wine.
- Apples are a great source of fiber. However, apples contain pesticide residue due to their thin skin. Going organic when buying apples might be the best choice.
- Dairy products are produced from livestock. Non-organic livestock is raised with growth hormones and antibiotics. So before buying a bottle of milk for your cereal, buying organic might be a better choice if additives are your concern.
- Leafy vegetables offer more surface area for chemical and pesticides to stick onto. Buying organic leafy greens is much safer and much healthier.
- Strawberries ranked the highest with the highest pesticide residue. Due to their properties said to improve heart health and the lowering of bad cholesterol, it is best to buy organic to receive their nutritional value to it’s full potential
Before buying foods in your local supermarket, always think of what’s best for you and your family. Food should be viewed as precious and the nutritional value of everything we eat should be taken into consideration for our overall well-being. Living a healthy lifestyle can significantly prolong your life. Sometimes, spending a little more on good food is a small price to pay in the large scheme of things. Health is wealth. However, if you can’t afford to buy organic foods, just thoroughly wash and clean all fruits and vegetables.