Recent studies like one at the University of California, Davis, indicate that organic foods do indeed have more nutritional value. For example, the study found that organic tomatoes contained higher levels of phytochemicals and vitamin C than did their conventional counterparts.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has outlined the benefits of healthy eating in its "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides". Compiled to educate consumers on which produce contains the least and most pesticide contamination, it ranks produce so that all shoppers can make informed decisions on when buying organic is a wise investment and when it is less essential.
For example, non-organic celery is often priced at about half the cost of its organic counterpart, making it tempting to purchase the "regular" version. But celery takes the top place for the worst food in terms of pesticide levels. And washing it doesn't eliminate the problem, according to the EWG. Celery and the other 11 of the dirty dozen are worth spending an extra dollar or two.
Prioritizing where to spend and splurge is about making wise trade-offs. Luckily, there are also some produce items where the non-organic alternatives aren't so bad. For example, non-organic onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, mangos, sweet peas and asparagus rank relatively low in pesticide levels.
And of course, remember that there are affordable alternatives to buying organic that don't have to involve tripling your grocery bill or shopping at a specialty retailer. Check out local farmers' markets or search online for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in your town.
It's also important to remember that locally grown doesn't necessarily mean organic. There are regulations defining organic, and in order for a farm to be a certified USDA producer, it must go through a three-year process of converting the land and soil to meet organic standards. While you're at your local produce stand, ask the staff if their farm is organic. If it's not, inquire about their policies on pesticides and crop treatments. An informed customer is a smart customer, and in the end, it all counts towards bettering your health.
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