How to Determine When to Buy Organic

Everyone today knows that buying organic or growing your own fruits and vegetables is the healthiest option. But not all of us can afford to buy organic, buy it all the time, or buy all organic. So how can you distinguish which vegies and fruits are lower on the pesticide scale?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. A good rule of thumb for determining which vegetables have low pesticide risk and therefore safer to buy without an organic label are those that have a peel of some kind. However, this can also vary from vegetable to vegetable. Vegetables that have a low pesticide risk include: avocados, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, sweet corn, kiwis, mango, onions, papaya, and pineapple.

2. Vegetables that are higher in pesticide risk are apples, carrots, celery, cherries, graped (imported), lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes (go figure they have a peel), spinach, strawberries, and sweet bell peppers. You should always buy these organic if you can afford to.

3. How do you know if something is organic? Of course you can read the signs, but a sure fire way to know is the code listed on the fruit itself. If it begin with a "9" it's organic, if it does not it is not. So always do a double check on your fruit and vegies even if the sign leads you to think you are buying organically.

Tips & Warnings

• To save money you can also buy frozen vegetables that are low on the pesticide scale. Sweet peas, corn, and broccoli would be good examples of vegies you might consider buying frozen.

[sdmcclusky]

on 12/31/2009 This is a great article. It is so important to be informed about what goes into the food we consume. 5*

[mvalora]

on 8/20/2009 Good advice on organic food!

[keithgarrick]

on 8/4/2009 Great article thanx for sharing, 5*

[knelson]

on 7/30/2009 Very good tips! Liked the info on the codes and which veggies to choose organic! 5 *s

[hollywin]

on 7/22/2009 Thanks for the frozen veggie reminder. Great article. 5*