Every time I’m at the grocery store, I am torn deciding if I should be buying organic foods. I try to eat healthy, and wonder if I’m doing more harm than good if I buy non-organics.
Organics are foods that meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animals can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormone. Farmers can’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides on their fruits and vegetables.
In a 2010 study, researchers analyzed fruits, vegetables and juices consumed by elementary school children and found 11 different synthetic pesticides being ingested. Some experts say the pesticide levels in most people’s bodies were too low for concern. However, other experts disagree. Laura Vanderburg, a biologist at Tufts University says, “The hormones are incredibly potent. Even if a chemical is present in only trace amounts, it can still be at a level where it’s incredibly biologically active.”
So based on that knowledge, it seems like a wise decision to buy organic when I can. However, ther are certain foods that don’t absorb pesticides or are peeled and aren’t worth the price. These include asparagus, avocados,bananas, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi, mango, onions, papaya and pineapple.