Organic Food Vs. Non

I'm a big believer in organic foods. Even if studies prove that there is no difference in nutritional value... I still believe. My doctor says- "Most people who eat organic foods make healthier food choices." Which I fully agree! Processed USDA organic foods don't have the added junk that non-organic foods have. Most organic products don't have added sugar. And if they do, it's organic cane sugar- which is a healthier choice. Plus, not eating pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers is a good thing in my book. Granted, there are organic chemicals used to keep out the bugs and other pests... but it's better than the alternative.

After we made the switch to organic foods, I lost 40 pounds!! I didn't go on a diet or start exercising. We still eat fried foods with organic panko and have organic alfredo every week. My mom has lost weight as well, so it's not just me or a metabolism thing. But I've personally seen a difference by going organic.

There are great organic companies out there with affordable prices. Our grocery bill has remained the same and you can find coupons online for larger companies. I really love Organic Valley, Horizon, and the Harris Teeter brand organics. I will have some more amazing companies to share this week, so stay tuned!!

There was a test done on 43 different fruits and vegetables to see which retained the most pesticides. Here are the 12 dirty dozen foods you should always buy organic:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Lettuce
• Grapes (imported)
• Pears
• Spinach
• Potatoes

This is from Foodnews.com:
Why Should You Care About Pesticides?
The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood.Scientists now know enough about the long-term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides.
What’s the Difference?
EWG research has found that people who eat the 12 most contaminated
fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. The Guide helps consumers make informed choices to lower their dietary pesticide load.
Will Washing and Peeling Help?
Nearly all the studies used to create these lists assume that people rinse or peel fresh produce. Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse all produce and buy organic when possible.
How Was This Guide Developed?
EWG analysts have developed the Guide based on data from nearly 87,000 tests for pesticide residues in produce conducted between 2000 and 2007 and collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can find a detailed description of the criteria EWG used to develop these rankings and the complete list of fruits and vegetables tested at our dedicated website, www.foodnews.org.