10 Foods in Your Fridge That Should Always Be Organic ...

By Jennifer

10 Foods in Your Fridge That Should Always Be Organic ...

Organic foods may be up to 50% more expensive than their non-organic counterparts, but for some food items, it’s worth every penny. Why? Because in some foods, especially fruits and vegetables with peels that we eat, the pesticides and fertilizers used during the growing process seep into the parts of the foods we eat! Ick! Here’s a list of the foods in your fridge that should always be organic… these are affectionately known as “the dirty dozen.”

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1

Peaches and Nectarines

Peaches and Nectarines Photo Credit: my whimsy

Both peaches and their non-fuzzy relatives, nectarines, top the dirty dozen list, because somehow their skins, which we consume, let in the most pesticides and other nasty stuff. It may be a little more expensive to buy organic peaches, but they’re much, much safer. And once you eat one, you’ll be hooked — they taste better, too!

2

Apples and Pears

Apples and Pears Photo Credit: @mands

For the same reason peaches and nectarines are better organic, apples and pears are, too. Again, we consume the peels, which means we’re also consuming the harmful chemicals used in keeping pests away.

3

Bell Peppers

Bell Peppers Photo Credit: Edmond Valerio

Bell peppers are much more flavorful if you purchase the organic versions, and you’ll also notice they’re a little smaller. While this may seem like you’re not getting as much for your money, it’s not really true. They’re so much more flavorful, a little less goes a long way!

4

Celery

Celery Photo Credit: Beth Wold

Celery grows close to the ground, so consider the planting, growing, and harvesting process. Do you really want to ingest any of that nasty stuff, some of which is actual sewage sludge? Ick! No way! Buy the organic stuff, rinse it, and enjoy it with a little peanut butter.

5

Grapes

Grapes Photo Credit: swt snookie

Non-organic grapes, especially those grown outside of the United States, have a very high concentration of harmful chemicals in them. Beware of the ones from Chile in particular, but if there aren’t organic grapes where you shop, at least try to buy the ones grown in the U.S.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

Cherries

Cherries Photo Credit: Edmond Valerio

Cherries have a thin, edible peel that makes them another one of the dirty dozen. Spend a little extra to get the tastier, safer organic versions, and use them in pies, or just eat them by the handful!

7

Spinach and Lettuce

Spinach and Lettuce Photo Credit: Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

Spinach and lettuce are a prime example of produce that can contain high levels of deadly E. Coli bacteria, so it’s a great idea to buy the organic version. Either way, rinse the leaves very carefully before you cook or eat them, just to be on the safe(r) side.

8

Strawberries and Raspberries

Strawberries and Raspberries Photo Credit: Anushruti RK

What summer would be complete without fresh, ripe strawberries and raspberries? But agaon, because we consume the peels, we could also be consuming the harmful chemicals used in planting, growing, and even harvesting them. Pay the little bit extra to buy the organic versions, especially if you plan to feed them to children.

9

Beef and Poultry

Beef and Poultry Photo Credit: ninjapoodles

This is going to be graphic and gross, but you need to know this — cattle that’s not organic is actually fed the blood and bones of other cattle. Those same cattle are also fed huge doses of antibiotics and growth hormones. Cattle are meant to be fed grass… feeding them all of these other things is not only disgusting, but they’re not designed to digest it well. Our cattle is infected with all manner of deadly diseases, including Mad Cow. Why else would other countries, including the U.K., ban imports of our beef? The same can be said for chickens, turkeys, and their eggs. This is definitely a case in which buying the organic versions, or at least the free-range versions, is a very, very good idea. Want to learn more? Read Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation.”

10

Milk

Milk Photo Credit: willycoolpics.

Scientists are still debating whether or not milk that comes from cows that have been given growth hormones and antibiotics is harmful, especially to children. Some studies have shown that organic milk is safer, and I’m not taking that chance — the milk in my fridge is always organic. Why take the chance?

Don’t bother spending extra on organic bananas, broccoli, or cauliflower. Also, be aware that there currently aren’t guidelines for designating seafood as organic. So play it safe and spend your grocery budget on the items from my list! What organic items do you always buy, and why? Please let me know!

Top Photo Credit: elefanterosado

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

The purest organic veggies come from my own garden, as I know exactly how I cultivate them. I do buy organic milk, and peel my fruits. I am sure there are many allowable impurities even in organic foods.

I'm in need of an update in my fridge!!!!!!!

I will admit, I am not sold on organic products completely. Working with a close budget we eat in moderation. As for Organic milk, I am married to a dairy farmer and regulations from our coop prohibit us to sell milk to them that contain added hormones and antibiotics. I will say that one more time, NO hormones and No antibiotics can be in our bulk tank when the milk leaves our farm. We are very regulated and we feel we help to provide a safe, good, wholesome dairy product to consumers.

You've made me hungry! These foods all look delish. And I agree, they should always be organic! I don't buy non-organic food anyway :)

I am one of those, how do they say, "organic health nuts", but I love it. It's worth it; it helps you stay healthy, fit, and live longer. This is a great list to help others become little organic nuts like me! But, as I said, it's worth it.

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