Organic vs. non-organic: The pros and cons

We all want the best for our children – especially when it comes to
establishing a nutritious diet. My husband and I always strive to make
informed decisions when it comes to our daughter’s health, but there’s one
thing we can’t ever seem to agree on: organic or non-organic?

While my husband believes that organic fruits and veggies are healthier
(and thus only wants to feed our daughter organic produce), I am content
with giving her conventional fruits and vegetables as long as they’re
washed and scrubbed thoroughly under running water. In my opinion,
non-organic produce is healthy and a much more affordable option.

To avoid making a scene at the grocery store next time, I need to know: is
organic better?

What is organic?

First things first — what does organic really mean?

Organic refers to the way farmers grow, handle, and process food. To be
classified as organic, foods must meet

national standards

set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As part of these
standards, organic crops must be produced without conventional pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing
radiation.

The

process for producing organic fruits and vegetables

includes using natural fertilizers such as manure or compost, controlling
weeds naturally through methods such as crop rotation, hand weeding,
mulching, and tilling, and controlling pests using natural methods and
naturally-derived pesticides.

Benefits of Organic

Organic food advocates believe that these farming practices produce better
fruits and veggies. Here are some of the benefits of going organic:

1. Better nutrition.
   Studies have shown small to moderate
   
   increases in some nutrients
   
   in organic produce, including higher levels of vitamin C, certain minerals,
   and antioxidants.
2. Safety.
   Compared with conventionally grown produce, organically grown produce has
   
   lower detectable levels of pesticide residue. One study found that organically grown crops had about one-third as many
   pesticide residues as conventionally grown versions.
   
3. Better taste.
   Organic food often
   
   tastes fresher
   
   because it is often (but not always) produced on smaller farms near where
   it is sold and it doesn’t contain preservatives to make it last longer.
   
4. Better for the environment.
   Organic
   
   farming practices
   
   reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil
   fertility, and use less energy.

The Downside of Organic

Here is my concern (and that of many other consumers) with going organic:
it’s expensive. Organic foods typically cost more than their non-organic
counterparts. The USDA found that organic fruits and vegetables can

cost more

than 20 percent higher than conventional produce. Higher prices are due, in
part, to more expensive farming practices.

While organic produce may cost more, that’s not stopping some shoppers.
Sales of organic food are

steadily increasing. But some experts aren’t convinced that going organic is worth the cost.
Here’s why:

1. The amount of man-made pesticide residues found in non-organic foods is
   still well
   
   below the level
   
   that the Environmental Protection Agency has deemed unsafe.
2. Manure fertilizers used in organic farming raise safety concerns because
   they may
   
   increase the risk of contamination
   
   by dangerous organisms, like E. coli.
3. Another concern is that organic plants may
   
   produce more natural toxins, which can be harmful to humans.

Best Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic

So, what’s the solution? Should we buy organic produce or not?

If you’re sold on the idea of going organic (like my husband) but aren’t
ready to go completely organic (like me), you can always pick and choose.
Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out a list, known as
the

Dirty Dozen, of conventionally grown foods most likely to contain pesticide residue.
To help reduce your exposure to pesticides, consider buying organic
versions of these produce items: apples, celery, cherries, grapes, kale,
nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Produce You Don’t Need to Buy Organic

The EWG also produces the

Clean Fifteen, a list of non-organic fruits and vegetables that are low in pesticide
residues. The 2019 list includes: asparagus, avocados, broccoli,
cantaloupes, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, frozen sweet peas, honeydew
melons, kiwis, mushrooms, onions, papayas, pineapples, and sweet corn.

A Balancing Act

Balancing the health of our family is a top priority. While I may not be
100 percent sold on the idea of going organic like my husband is, I think
we can find a compromise by purchasing a mix of organic and non-organic
produce.

This article was originally published on

IBX Insights.