Is Organic Food Worth the Money?

Buying organic produce is expensive. Sometimes when I see the total cost of my purchase, a few questions run through my head. Things like – is organic food worth the money? Why is it so expensive? Should I buy everything organic? I’m only buying bits & pieces – is it worth it?

I often reflect on the fact that perhaps I’m a big hypocrite as there are some things I buy (and eat!) that are nowhere near healthy or organic (hello potato chips). So does it matter that I am buying some things organic and others not? Is there any point to it? Am I doing enough?

Maybe I should stop thinking.

Before then, here is my attempt to answer those questions for you.

Why Should I Buy Organic?

Chemical Exposure

There are many reasons. The main one for me is the fact we are being exposed to so many chemicals every day (there are over 84,000 new chemicals in existence nowadays!). They are in the majority of things we buy, yet most of us aren’t aware of them. We need to limit our exposure to them for the sake of our health!

Here are some quick points to ponder. Did you know:

1. Synthetic pesticides are linked to an increased risk of learning disabilities in children?
2. Hormone disrupters in some pesticides can affect women who suffer from hormonal imbalances?
3. Some allergies and behavioural issues in children have been linked to pesticides?

The Environmental Working Groups (An American Organisation who study pesticide levels in foods) stated on the “Dirty Dozen for 2014”:

“A single grape sample contained 15 pesticides. Single samples of celery, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas and strawberries showed 13 different pesticides a piece”.

If you buy organic fruit and vegetables you know it hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or fertilisers and the farmer hasn’t used genetically modified seeds. I like the sound of that!

Seasonality – Quality of Produce

Organic produce is seasonal, which is much better for you. From the minute they are picked fruit and vegetables start to lose their nutrients (and taste!). When you purchase organic produce, generally they haven’t had to travel far, are fresh and full of flavour. A lot of the produce sitting in your {insert large supermarket here} has been around for a long time. Special techniques that allow us to buy Apples all year round means those shiny Granny Smiths could be up to eleven months old.

Conclusion: my family’s health is too important to risk overexposure to harmful chemicals (the true effects of which we are not sure of). And organic fruits and vegetables taste yum too!

Also please note – wash all your food thoroughly (especially apples)! Peeling alone isn’t enough to remove the chemical residue.

Why Is Organic So Expensive?

Have you tried to grow your own fruit and vegetables without using pesticides? Its hard work! Doing this on a large scale is difficult and achieving organic certification is timely and expensive. More attention and resources are required to get the end result.

Conclusion: there isn’t a lot you can do about the price – so work out what you can afford!

Should I Buy Everything Organic? Where Do I Draw the Line?

This is a constant argument for me. Where do you stop with it all? Is it worth buying organic vegetables then munching on those potato chips? How do you know what is enough!

Well you don’t really. I believe the best approach is to keep it simple. If you do your best 80% of the time, then I think that’s pretty good (in my humble opinion!).

Buy as many organic goods as you can afford and focus on a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Make as much of the food you eat yourself so you know what’s in it. Keep it simple – remember!

Focus on reducing your chemical exposure in all areas – buy organic produce, look for non-chemical cleaning products (think vinegar and bi-carb) and stop before you buy cosmetics and look for lower chemical alternatives (coconut oil as a moisturiser – that’s me!).

Conclusion: I would rather be doing something than nothing. Work on one thing at a time and make small steps. As you run out of items, see if you can replace them with a better alternative.

Can You Afford to Buy Organic? How Can We Reduce Costs?

The fact of the matter is that for most of us, we need to budget for our groceries. You can’t put a price on your health, but at the same time you also have to pay for a roof over your head right?

So with that in mind, should you decide to go organic there are some ways you can do so without blowing the budget:

*        Grow as much of your own as possible. If you don’t have a backyard, try pots of herbs or a vertical garden.

*        At the least focus on organic meat, dairy and poultry only. Chemicals can be stored in animal fat so focusing here will reduce your intake.

*        Buy fruit & vegetables at a local farmers market (see Local Harvest for Australian  and USDA for American locations).

*        Get a small box of organics delivered each week. Choose a smaller size (perhaps just fruit for example) and buy the rest “non-organic”.

*        For packaged items, find a good online store and order in bulk.

If organic is just not in your budget, here are some ideas for reducing your exposure to chemicals:

*        Be aware of the “Dirty Dozen” (foods highest in pesticides) and “Clean 15” (foods that require the least intervention to grow & therefore have the least pesticides) and focus on buying the Dirty dozen organically.

*        Buy a box of organic produce every other week.

*        Focus on other areas, such as cutting down on chemical cleaners or changing cosmetics

So is organic food worth the money? Well after my internal dialogue above, I feel pleased that I’m actually aware of what is going into mine & my family’s bodies – good & bad! We are definitely not perfect – but I’m working towards it.

I think working towards limiting your exposure to chemicals and preservatives, even if it is in small steps, is better than doing nothing at all.

Do you buy organic foods? If not have I swayed you at all?