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Get Healthy and Go Organic With These 8 Foods

December 23, 2009

Organic Foods

Once just a fringe fad carried out by hippy types, organic foods are now a mainstay in the main aisles of most of the grocery stores and markets in the country. Everyone seems to want to eat organic foods.

So what exactly are organic foods?

Here’s the definition as laid out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

“Food produced without: antibiotics; growth hormones; most conventional pesticides; petroleum- based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. USDA certification is required before a product can be labeled “organic”.”

Some foods are more susceptible to the nasty chemicals and processes mentioned above than others. Knowing which nutritious foods you should go organic with is important to avoid possible exposure to chemicals and pesticides.

Organic Meat

Although meat has less pesticide residue than plant foods, the typical cow is injected with hormones, antibiotics, and is given food that is filled with chemicals and fertilizers. Organic meat comes from cows that are fed a natural grass-diet without any chemicals or hormones.

Organic Apples

Apples are bathed in a variety of pesticides designed to kill off insects and fungi. Scrubbing them does not completely rid the apple of the pesticide residue and pesticides can become embedded in the skin.

Organic Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are sprayed with quite a few pesticides and their skins offer little protection from them.

Organic Celery

Celery has absolutely no protective skin from the pesticides. Either go organic or use alternatives such as broccoli, radishes or onions. Besides…who likes celery anyway blahh.

Organic Nectarines

Scientists at the USDA have found as many as 26 different pesticide residues on nectarines. Enough said.

Organic Leafy greens

Although an incredibly way to get a lean waist, green leafy veggies get soaked with the harshest and most potent of pesticides and obviously have no protective barrier. It’s best to go organic with the greens to avoid the harsh chemicals.

Organic Grapes

Grapes are sprayed with a variety of pesticides during their growth phases. In fact, grapes that are imported can be even more exposed to pesticides because of looser guidelines in foreign countries.

Organic Carrots

Some of the pesticides used on carrots have been banned in Europe but are still used in the United States. Plus, many pesticides used on carrots are becoming more resistant to pesticides -meaning more and more has to be used to get the same effect.