Does Organic Always Mean Better?

I recently received an e-mail that asked whether or not buying organic produce was "better" than buying conventional fruits and vegetables. Going organic has become very popular and has many people asking whether or not they too should jump on the organic train. In order to limit exposure to pesticides and chemicals, buying organic fruits and vegetables is the way to go. But does organic always mean better? Let's take a look:


Is there really a difference between organic and conventional?If you take an organic strawberry and conventional strawberry side by side, you probably won't detect any differences. On the surface, a conventional strawberry looks harmless, but what you can't see is the chemical toxins that are in it! Chemical toxins that you are putting in your body...yuck!!! Take a look at this picture that really put things in perspective:

In the case of strawberries, I say organic is most definitely BETTER! I can barely pronounce most of the words on the conventional strawberry ingredient list and certainly do not want them in my body! Seriously though…say Pyraclostrobin 5 times fast… I can't even say it once! Who even made up this word?? It sounds like a poisonous dinosaur!

Strawberries are just one example of a fruit that is contaminated with carcinogens, hormone disrupters, neurotoxins, and developmental toxins. But fortunately, not all vegetables and fruits have this many toxins.  The  Environmental Working Group (EWG) compiled a list to help guide consumers on in which cases going organic is truly "better". 

The EWG, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C recommends going organic with certain foods that are most susceptible to pesticide residue. They also provide the Clean 15, a list of fruits and vegetables least likely to contain pesticides:


The Dirty Dozen

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry Tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Hot peppers
7. Nectarines (imported)
8. Peaches
9. Potatoes
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet bell peppers

The Clean Fifteen

1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Sweet corn
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Magoes
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Pineapples
13. Sweat peas
14. Sweet potatoes

Refer back to these lists before your next grocery shopping trip in order to limit chemical exposure! Choose organic foods from the first list when possible, but know that there is no need to obsess over eating everything organic if you are on a tight budget.  They say that you are what you eat, so if you don't want to be a "Pyraclostrobin" then go organic!!!