It seems we are faced with an ever-growing number of choices in the grocery store—organic or conventional, local or imported, natural or unnatural (whatever…). To make matters worse, the economic squeeze doesn’t appear to be loosening its grip and food prices are rising. While we all want to feed our families a healthy diet, going all organic is often just too pricey.
When standing in the aisle at a Denver King Soopers or Safeway, should you buy organic or not? Is it worth the extra bucks to look for only organic foods at Colorado farmer’s market? Not always. Here is a list to live by and help ease your wallet and your peace of mind when grocery shopping.
Organic Yes: Apples, Berries, Peaches
Though apples, berries and peaches are definitely in the great for you category, they are likely to have been exposed to an many as two-dozen pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group. Apples are worm prone, so orchard growers often use pesticides that are particularly concerning for children’s health. Organic apples are easy to find and well worth it, especially if your kids eat them often. The soft skins and bumps on berries make a perfect hiding spot for unwanted pesticides to cling. Fuzzy peaches are a delicate fruit, hard to grow, hard to pick and hard to transport, which is why some farmers use a hefty does of chemicals. Colorado organic peaches will be here soon, so save your money for the good ones.
Organic Yes: Celery, Potatoes, Bell Peppers and Spinach
Celery stalks are like big straws, they soak up everything, which is why the EWG consistently notes celery as the most pesticide-laden vegetable. Other vegetables known for higher pesticide residues include potatoes, bell peppers and spinach. These should be purchased organically whenever possible.
Organic Yes: Beef and Milk
Hormones are the biggest worry here. Conventional cattle operations rely on growth hormones to fatten up cattle before processing. Medical researchers cite this as a concern because some of the hormones are estrogen-mimickers, which may present increased risk of reproductive cancers like breast cancer, say a number of scientists at the Science and Environmental Health Network (SEHN).
As many as 17 percent of cows in this country are treated with bovine growth hormone (rBST or rBGH) to increase milk production. This milk is pooled with milk from cows not treated with the hormone. While the companies that make the hormone, and the FDA, claim there is no human health risk, some scientists aren’t so sure. Dr. Ted Schettler, Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health NetworkMilk, and winner of the Environmental Health Hero Award, recently told a number of news outlets (Health.com and Huffington Post) that the hormones given to cows, increase an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which may raise breast cancer risk. Shettler recommends buying milk that is certified organic or labeled as milk from cows that are not treated with rBST or rBGH.
Organic Maybe, but Antibiotic Free, Yes: Poultry, Eggs and Pork
There is a common misconception in the media (one that is perpetuated by misleading) food labels that since poultry, eggs and pork are labeled as hormone-free or steroid-free, that there is no reason to buy organic brands. This is a myth. Hormones are not allowed in poultry or pork operations, this is true, but antibiotics are allowed. Antibiotics are used as growth promoters. These antibiotics transfer to humans when we ingest the eggs, chicken or pork, which can lead to antibiotic resistance. So, it is best to look for brands that are either certified organic or are naturally-rasied with no antibiotics. Safeway brands just introduced a line of meats, chicken and poultry raised with no antibiotics called Open Nature that meet this definition. In this food-writer’s opinion, this is a great move in the right direction.
For more on this topic, check out Kimberly Lord Stewarts book, Eating Between the Lines, the supermarket shopper’s guide to the truth behind food labels (St Martin’s Press, 2007). Stewart has a free book giveaway on her website, www.eatingbetweenthelines.net.
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