Common Sense Organic Food Shopping
More than ever before, people are paying attention to what they eat. Years ago, few people knew the words organic, natural, free range or hormone free in respect to food. They just did not give it a second thought. Now, however, people are taking these words to the store and coming home with different products. In addition, people now want to find these words when they dine out. For reasons of both budget and availability, it is important for the consumer to note that all organic foods are not equal in overall benefit.
In U.S.D.A terms, foods must meet certain criteria before they can wear the "USDA Organic" seal. It has more to do with manufacturing and production than anything else. To be organic, foods must contain no synthetic ingredients at all, including pesticides and fertilizer residues. A minimum of 95% of the ingredients must be organic or come from animals never receiving antibiotics or growth hormones. Foods labeled "Made with Organic Ingredients", however, may contain as little as 70% organic ingredients.
The ideal choice for organic foods is to buy locally grown products that are handled less during the trip from field to table. Organic foods that travel long distances before you buy them can lose some of their organic benefits. Scientists recommend buying organic when purchasing foods generally found to contain higher levels of pesticides when commercially produced.
In the vegetable family, high amounts of pesticides are often found in potatoes, celery, spinach, bell peppers, and hot peppers. For fruit, the ones to watch out for are apples, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, pears, imported grapes, and cherries. In other words, although they are more a little more expensive, it is best to buy organic when shopping for these items.
Commercially grown fruits that are lower in pesticide levels are watermelons, plantains, bananas, pineapple, kiwi, plums, and mangoes. Vegetables that fall into this lower pesticide category are broccoli, cauliflower, onions, radishes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. These fruits and vegetables are a relatively safe option for those on a budget who can't afford to buy organic. These products present less of a degree of risk than produce that contains higher levels of pesticides.
Searching the Internet for advice on things like what cookware is best or the best utensil or appliance to use will provide you with countless results. The Internet can also give you facts and figures about organic foods, pesticide levels, and what are the best products, but ultimately the choice of what to buy is left to the shopper's own preferences. An informed shopper should take all of the information about organic food into account before making that choice.
Stan Dyer is a prolific writer and photographer residing in Colorado. To have organic food and products delivered to your doorstep, visit http://www.OrganicFoodeStore.com. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
Tags: diet, Food, Food and Drink, organic, organic food, organic products, shopping
