Purchasing organic products has recently become extremely popular. More Americans than ever before are purchasing organic foods. Critics may dismiss it as a passing fad, but in most cases, it is here to stay! While price is the primary reason why consumers hesitate to buy organic, the second most common reason is confusion about which products to buy. You might not know what to buy organic to improve your health and when to skip the organic label to save money. We’ve compiled a list of the most important organic items to help you narrow down your options.
Fruits with Eating Skins
Apples are consistently among the worst pesticide offenders, particularly in the skin, which is the healthiest part to consume. Organic apples have one of the smallest price differences between organic and nonorganic varieties. Berries have a soft skin that is exposed and unprotected. Blueberries from other countries are less contaminated than those grown in the United States, and strawberries are difficult to clean of pesticides due to the crevices in their skin. According to Dr. Greene, apples are the second most popular fresh fruit after bananas, and they are also used in the second most popular juice after oranges. Apples, on the other hand, are one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables. The good news is that organic apples are widely available in conventional grocery stores.
Vegetables with Consumable Skins
Leafy greens, in particular, are highly susceptible to pesticides and are sprayed with the most toxic pesticides permitted for use. If they are not organic, they should be cooked before eating. It makes no difference whether you consider tomatoes to be a fruit or a vegetable when it comes to the nutritional value of purchasing them organically. Organic tomatoes contain nearly twice as many healthy flavonoids as nonorganic tomatoes. Traditional cucumbers are coated in a wax that traps pesticides and is impossible to remove. Organic cucumbers are free of both harmful pesticides and wax. The average American consumes 142 pounds of potatoes per year, or about one potato per day. Given how many potatoes we consume in their various forms, as well as the fact that they contain more pesticides per weight than any other fruit or vegetable, going organic is a simple decision.
Milk
Hormones given to cows to increase milk production are passed on to the person drinking it. The majority of the estrogens you consume are found in dairy products. Search for rBST-free milk. This hormone, which increases the risk of cancer, is already prohibited in Europe and Canada. “When you buy a glass of conventional milk, you’re buying into a whole chemical agricultural system,” explains Dr. Greene. People who switch to organic milk are typically concerned about the antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and pesticides used in the commercial dairy industry. According to a recent US Department of Agriculture survey, certain pesticides were found in approximately 30% of conventional milk samples and at low levels in only one organic sample. Although the level is low in comparison to other foods, milk is consumed in large quantities by many children.
Meat
Organic meat is not only free of hormones and antibiotics, but it is also the more humane option. Animals on organic farms are given more space, are allowed to graze, are fed natural feed, and live a happier, healthier life in general. The most important meat to buy organic is beef. The hormones given to cattle are strongly linked to breast cancer. According to the USDA, antibiotics given to cows may result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans consuming it.
Cookware
When heated, nonstick cookware contains a chemical that emits toxic fumes. They have the ability to coat your lungs and cause allergy-like symptoms. Switch to stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron cookware.
All-Purpose Cleaning Supplies
Some cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause irritation to your skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. There are even cleaners containing phthalates, which affect hormones, particularly in children who are still growing. The majority of the cleaning products you use should be natural.
Containers for food and water
BPA raises the risk of breast cancer while decreasing sperm count. If you must use plastic, make certain that it is BPA free. Your best bets are glass for food storage and stainless steel for on-the-go beverages.
Fabrics
Whether it’s your clothing or your bedding, you spend nearly your entire life draped in fabrics. Because of the amount of time spent in fabric, you should do your homework before purchasing clothing and bedding. If you don’t want to buy organic, look for companies that have textile certifications that avoid chemicals. Avoid fabrics labeled as easy-care or wrinkle-free because they have been treated with formaldehyde resin, a known carcinogen. We believe it is critical that you have high-quality, safe bedding. As a result, One must buy bedding made from organically grown 100% bamboo viscose and is OEKO-TEX® certified to be free of harmful chemicals.
Potatoes: According to one survey, potatoes account for 30% of total vegetable consumption in the United States. Because commercially grown potatoes are among the most pesticide-contaminated vegetables, a simple switch to organic potatoes has the potential to have a significant impact. According to a 2006 USDA test, 81% of potatoes still contained pesticides after being washed and peeled, and the potato has one of the highest pesticide contents of 43 fruits and vegetables tested.
Peanut butter: According to the USDA, peanuts are grown on more acres than any other fruit, vegetable, or nut. More than 99 percent of peanut farms use conventional farming practices, which include the use of fungicides to treat mold, which is a common problem in peanut crops. Given that some children consume peanut butter on a daily basis, this appears to be a simple and practical substitution. Although commercial food companies now sell organic brands in regular grocery stores, you can prefer to go to a health food store and grind your own peanut butter.
You are not required to buy every organic product on the market. Investigate the products you use the most. Take advantage of buying locally if you live in an area where you have the option! Your decisions today are paving the way for a brighter future for your family tomorrow.