Should You Buy Organic?
By Sara Butler
One of the biggest concerns people have when it comes to produce is pesticides. That is why so many people are now looking to buy organic. The truth of the matter is that not everything you buy needs to be organic. If you're concerned about how much pesticide residue may be on the fruits and vegetables you're feeding your family, then these are the products you should focus on buying from the organic section.
Should You Be Concerned?
Foods grown with the USDA organic certification label are free of synthetic pesticides. Organic diets have been proven to reduce pesticide exposure in people. But if you cannot afford to go totally organic, then that doesn't mean you should avoid all fruits and vegetables because of pesticides. You still need them in your diet. It's merely suggested that if you can, there are a few foods that are worth it to buy organically.
Strawberries
Strawberries are great for you. They're full of nutrients and make a great snack or addition to any smoothie or Greek yogurt. They're also full of fiber and Vitamin C that can help to support your overall health, so they should be a part of your diet.
The problem is that non-organic strawberries can have a lot of pesticide residue on them, so they're a good choice if you want to go organic.
Spinach
Spinach is a great source of iron and other nutrients, so it's a good item to have on had to add to soups, stews, casseroles, or even a breakfast scramble. But it's also a vegetable that tends to test high for pesticide residue when not grown organically.
Kale
Just as with spinach, kale is an amazing green to add to your diet. It's full of fiber and beta-carotene. It also happens to be rich in Vitamin K which your body uses to clot the blood -- it contributes to cognitive function and bone health, too.
But kale can have a lot of pesticide residue when growing conventionally, so it's another addition to the organic list.
Apples
Apples are very high in fiber, which makes them a perfect snack to help keep your blood sugar steady and your belly full. One medium apple has four grams of fiber, which is quite a lot for one piece of fruit. But again, it's a fruit that tends to hang on to pesticide residue so it should be bought organically if you're concerned.
These are great ways to start buying organic for your family, so give them a try.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.