Are organic foods worth the extra cash?

By Melissa Goldberg, Green Luvin’

With the down turn in the economy it is sometimes hard to fork over all that cash for organic foods. We all have heard that organic foods are better for the environment but sometimes when you are cash strapped environmental issues fall by the way side. That’s not smart, and this should change your mind.

Did you know that organically grown foods are better for you? A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives revealed that harmful pesticides are found in everyday foods. More importantly, it was discovered that children eating conventionally farmed foods (meaning grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides), their urine and saliva tested positive for pesticides. Happily, this is not a permanent problem. When the same kids ate organic foods (fruit, veggies and juices), after an amazingly short time (36 hours) no further signs of pesticides were found in their urine.

If protecting them from unwanted chemicals isn’t enough to get you to change your buying habits, two more studies on organic foods sure to make you rethink your family’s food choices.

A study [see reference below], from the Organic Center compared the nutrient content in conventionally farmed vs. organically farmed foods. They discovered that organic plant-based foods are on average, way more nutritious in terms of their nutrient density. For example, the average serving of organic plant-based food contains about 25% more nutrients compared with the same food produced by conventional farming methods and, there is strong evidence that poultry and livestock that consume organic feed produce meat, milk and eggs that are more nutritious.

Plainly said organic food is healthier for you, and has more nutrients per serving. So if you are trying to stretch your food dollar, on a nutrient per nutrient basis, it’s actually cheaper to buy organic than conventional foods. And from personal experience, organics taste much better.

So when someone looks at you crazy because your kids lunch much is filled with only organic products you will have to facts …. Better for you, your family and the environment.

So, get on the bandwagon, get healthy and buy organic.

REF: Click Here

Melissa Goldberg has a Masters in Energy and Environmental Studies from Boston University. She has been thinking about, talking about and acting on environmental and food issues for her entire adult life. Her blog Green Luvin’ can be read on her site, DietDetective.com and Eco-Chick.com. Follow her on Twitter @Green_Luvin