Goods That Are Suitable to Buy Inorganic if You Are Tight on Money
Buying organic food is good for everybody: you, who benefits from increased nutrients and decreased pesticides; the natural farmers who grow it; the earth, from the sustainability of the natural farming techniques used; farm workers, because you’re supporting clean, natural growing and not the deplorable work conditions found in industrial agriculture. In my opinion all of this justifies the extra cost, and no price is too high when it comes to doing what is right.
If the choice should come down to eating or doing the right thing, however, it may be necessary to compromise somewhat. I wrote another article on the foods its is most important to buy organic, because they are most heavily laced with pesticide even after washing and peeling. Similarly, there is a good amount of produce that has a higher resistance to pesticide, with low results to tests conducted on both organic and inorganic varieties. If you must save your budget by opting for nonorganic produce, make these particular fruits and vegetables your first choices so you can save money to buy organic produce that will offer you the greatest benefit for your contribution.
Onion are targeted by very few insects and pests, which translates to much less spraying of pesticides in general. To be safe, look for onions that have intact skins and no visible signs of damage or blemishes. The asparagus is another vegetable that is sprayed less as a direct result of being less vulnerable to diseases and pests in general, and cabbage too. (Cabbage is also a great source of immune system-boosting beta carotene.)
Avocados have a thick, protective rind that is removed and discarded prior to consumption and is quite effective at protecting the interior of the fruit from contamination by pesticides and chemicals. Even so, it’s still a good practice to rinse them thoroughly prior to cutting and eating.
While it may use a lot of fertilizer to grow, sweet corn is still a good choice because it’s unlikely for any residues to end up on the kernels themselves. Look for local deals in farmer’s markets and produce stands. The same goes for peas – with their protective pod, peas have been determined by the Environmental Working Group to be among the least likely vegetable to be found with pesticide residue on it. If you’re not growing them yourself in a private garden look for cheap alternatives at farmer’s market or grocery stores.
Like the avocados, the tender meat of a pineapple is encased in a tough armor-like skin that offers excellent protection from any insecticides it is exposed to. The same is true for the thick skin found on fresh mangos and, my personal favorite, the delicious and nutritious kiwi (the fruit, not the bird.) And like the avocado, make sure you wash before use.
This is just a handful of the best fruits and veggies that studies have proven carry less pesticide residue and are thus safer for consumption overall. It is safe to buy these items inorganic even if you’re sacrificing some of the nutrients and taste, so you can save money to buy organic versions of the most heavily pesticide laden produce. For a complete listening of the various kinds of produce and their typical pesticide levels, check out resources provided by the EWG. This article is part of an ongoing series entitled “Transitioning to Organic” that provides tips, information and easy ways to adopt some or all organic food into your lifestyle.
CB is a veteran generator of informative content and an adept prose writer, and presently writes on ideas including Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Speakers and Klipsch Home Theater Speaker.
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