Weighing Your Options About When To Buy Organic
By Better Health Research Team • Aug 26th, 2010 • Category: Health E-Hint
Buying organic is not only beneficial for your body, but it can be good for the Earth and the environment, too. Guidelines that are regulated by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) under the Organic Foods Production Act ensure that foods labeled organic are grown using methods that promote biodiversity, minimize pollution and use cultural, biological and mechanical methods of agriculture in place of synthetic materials. According to the board website, this also covers pesticide usage, but also the protocol for handling and labeling foods.
But organic foods can be expensive. So when should you splurge and when should you be cautious? Toxins and chemicals contained in pesticides used on foods have been linked to abnormal cell growth, hormone imbalance, fertility problems, neurological disorders, skin irritations and more.
Fruits and vegetables that you should consider buying organic include peaches, lettuce, spinach, apples and strawberries, since they have soft outer skins. Other foods such as onions, asparagus, cabbage, blueberries, bananas and pineapples have been shown to be the least affected by pesticides.
Organic meats can be especially beneficial. Often poultry and livestock are injected with hormones intended to speed the growth process. Those same chemicals and toxins can end up on your dinner plate. By making smart choices for what’s best for your family, you can help protect them from unsafe food practices.
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