UNDATED -- Organic food was once only available at health food stores, marketed to consumers willing to pay extra for natural, environmentally friendly foods. But with today's shrinking dollar, is buying organic worth the cost, especially since it can cost up to twice as much as conventional foods?
Experts say if going organic is important to you, you should spend most of your organic food dollars on foods you eat most often and on produce that's most susceptible to pesticide residue. Dietician Kamie Stoner says, "It's a continuum. You start where you can and include as much as you can."
So here's the Dirty Dozen as recommended by the D.C. Non Profit Environmental Working Group: Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, and spinach. Along with white potatoes, imported nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and both hot and sweet bell peppers. In addition, organic meat and milk cannot contain hormones or antibiotics. Some experts think using antibiotics may contribute to the rise of superbugs.
Sandra Yocum says she buys organic as much as possible, mainly lettuce, herbs, and most fruits. "I have grandchildren and I don't want them exposed to all that because the are so young."
So what do all those organic labels really mean? 100% organic means the food has no synthetic ingredients. And just organic is defined as having a minimum of 95% organic ingredients.
Stoner says they aren't enough good studies to show long term health benefits from eating organic, but she says, "We do have evidence that says those who eat fruits and veggies conventional or organic are healthier in general."
For more information on the Environmental Working Group, click here.
Image courtesy of ABC.
Experts say if going organic is important to you, you should spend most of your organic food dollars on foods you eat most often and on produce that's most susceptible to pesticide residue. Dietician Kamie Stoner says, "It's a continuum. You start where you can and include as much as you can."
So here's the Dirty Dozen as recommended by the D.C. Non Profit Environmental Working Group: Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, and spinach. Along with white potatoes, imported nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and both hot and sweet bell peppers. In addition, organic meat and milk cannot contain hormones or antibiotics. Some experts think using antibiotics may contribute to the rise of superbugs.
Sandra Yocum says she buys organic as much as possible, mainly lettuce, herbs, and most fruits. "I have grandchildren and I don't want them exposed to all that because the are so young."
So what do all those organic labels really mean? 100% organic means the food has no synthetic ingredients. And just organic is defined as having a minimum of 95% organic ingredients.
Stoner says they aren't enough good studies to show long term health benefits from eating organic, but she says, "We do have evidence that says those who eat fruits and veggies conventional or organic are healthier in general."
For more information on the Environmental Working Group, click here.
Image courtesy of ABC.