Go Organic! Here's Why.

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat). Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled.

Non-organic, "conventional" growers use chemicals to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases and for weed control. When these are used, the chemical residue can be left on – or in – the produce you eat. Non-organic agricultural producers also use non-organic feed, hormones, and antibiotics to increase the size or yield of their farm animals, and these substances can end up in the milk, beef, or poultry you purchase to feed your family.

Farmers who grow organic produce, on the other hand, don't use pesticides. Organic farmers also don't use conventional chemical methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical herbicides, organic farmers conduct sophisticated crop rotations or use weed barriers. Organic farmers with small farms may even hand-weed their plots.

Because they aren't treated with preservatives or skin waxes, organic fruits and vegetables may not look as “pretty” as non-organic produce. You might see odd shapes, dull colors and even smaller sizes. You may also notice that organic produce tends to spoil a little faster. Organic foods also tend to be more expensive; although prices have dropped with its increased popularity, most organic foods still cost more than conventional food products. Keep in mind that the higher prices are due to tighter government regulations, lower crop yields, and the fact that organic farming techniques are more labor-intensive, which translates to a slightly higher cost.

The main reason to buy organic is that organic food limits your exposure to unnecessary chemical residues. Although most doctors and government agencies will argue that the amount of chemicals found in conventional, non-organic foods poses a very small health risk, it's important to realize that no long-term studies have been performed to show what these small amounts of chemicals might have in our bodies when they've been accumulating over a lifetime. Buying organic also supports small, sustainable farms, and helps protect our planet from the negative impact of man-made chemicals. In addition, organic foods tend to have higher levels of nutrients -- a four-year study at Newcastle University found that organic fruits and vegetables contained as much as 40% higher levels of antioxidants, and higher levels of beneficial minerals; also, milk from organically-fed cows had antioxidant levels up to 90% higher than milk from conventionally-fed herds.

However, do remember that just because a product is labeled "organic" or contains organic ingredients doesn't always mean it's healthy for you! Organic products may not contain pesticides or other chemicals, but they can still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories. When going organic, the other "rules" for healthy food choices -- choosing higher fiber / limiting low-glycemic-index foods, minimizing animal-based saturated fats, opting for low sodium / no-added-salt foods, and avoiding trans fats -- still apply.