We've heard the buzz about organic foods and we know the potential health benefits, but buying green may not always be affordable or available. Next time you're trying to make a conscience health decision in the grocery store, consider splurging for these five organic products:
1. Dairy! Organic Dairy can have a positive impact on your health as well as the environment. Organic yogurts contain significantly higher levels of of healthy omega-3s, as well as beta-carotene, which may play a role in cancer prevention. With the average American consuming more than 500 pounds of dairy products annually, buying organic is definitely the best way to avoid consumption of synthetic hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides. In addition, organic producers tend to have a more compassionate outlook on the environment, but with large corporations fighting for a piece of the organic market, it's good to double check whether your organic choice comes from a sustainable manufacturer. Check out www.eatwellguide.org for a list of sustainable farms in your area.
2. Lettuce! Generic lettuce brands contain some of the highest levels of pesticides compared to any other food. Rinsing produce is always a good idea, but it doesn't entirely eliminate all the possible health risks associated with pesticides. Go for the organic brand and you will treat yourself to 25 percent more antioxidants than regular lettuce!
3. Apples! They are the second most commonly consumed fruit (after bananas) and rank high on the toxic pesticide list! Conventional varieties, even when peeled, contain chemicals called organophosphates that can damage brain and nerve cells. Organic apples tend to be higher in nutrients and have known to taste better in blind taste tests! When it comes to your health, there are some fruits you don't need to worry about buying organic like oranges, bananas, pineapples which all have very low levels of toxic chemicals.
4. Pasta sauce! Going organic with your pasta topper won't cost you a lot in the checkout line, but can save you when it comes to your health! The average American consumes 90 pounds of tomatoes per year, most of that in sauces and in ketchup and when you choose organic, you're choosing more nutrients, more lycopenes and more environmentally-friendly practices.
5. Meat! If you enjoy a good burger every now and then, I'd recommend going organic. Grass-fed beef tends to be leaner and can contain about five times the healthy omega-3 fats than non-organic meat. Not to mention, modern methods of animal production utilize hormones to speed up the growth process, chemicals and pesticides to grow the grains fed to the animals and antibiotics to prevent the spread of disease among feed lots. By going organic, you can feel secure that your meat comes from an animal was fed a more natural diet, containing not antibiotics or hormones.
*Information provided by Glamour Health, The National Dairy Council and The University of California, Davis
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