When's the Best Time to Buy Organic Food?
There are so many more organic labels popping up everywhere you go. From your favorite restaurants, to the aisles of your local grocery store. The organic trend shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. And while eating a diet high in organic health food can give you a lot of benefits, an all organic diet can be pricey. Here’s how to know when it is the best time to buy organic, and when you should just save your money.
Do: Fruit with Edible Skin
The warmer weather brings delicious fruit to local grocery stores, but biting into a luscious strawberry or juicy peach can also mean consuming a load of unwanted pesticides too if it is not organic. If you eat the skin, aim to buy fruits that are organic. Even though they are organic, they should still be washed before consumption.
Don’t: Fruits with Hard Skins
There is no reason to pay a ghastly amount for an organic watermelon. Chances are you will pay a premium for it, but will not be doing your health any special favors. Fruits with harder and inedible skins or peels can be bought conventionally. This includes bananas, avocados, onions, watermelon, melons, and pineapples.
Do: Meat
A lot of meat today has been treated with growth hormones or other additives. These are just not healthy for consumption. Another common problem is that the animals are eating genetically modified corn and feed, which makes their meat not as nutritious as it should be. Organic meat is quite pricey, but it can benefit your health more. Try looking at local farms for more affordable organic meat options.
Don’t: Seafood
If you see a piece of seafood that has an organic label on it, don’t let yourself be fooled. The USDA does not currently have any organic requirements in place for seafood, so there is no reason to pay an arm and a leg for a piece of fish with an organic label on it. However, it is smart to purchase wild caught fish over farm-raised.
Don’t: Organic Processed Foods
If you go into a specialty health store, you will easily find almost any type of organic food you want. From packaged macaroni and cheese, to poptarts, to cookies. There are so many packaged goods that are switching to the organic label. While these processed foods might be healthier than the non-organic types, they are still processed food. It is better to consume your calories from organic produce and meats rather than organic boxed foods and treats.
When it comes to picking the best organic foods, remember these tips. They will help you boost your health and spare your wallet.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of WILLIAM ISMAEL