Should You Eat Organic?

Q: Should I buy organic foods while following your program? Are they really better?

A: Yes! While no research proves yet that organic foods are nutritionally better for you, there are several good reasons to buy organic. For one, such foods are wholesome — and better for the environment! Produce that's labeled USDA Certified Organic is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms, and organic meats and dairy products are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. Choosing organic foods also supports local farmers who use renewable resources and promote soil and water conservation.

The downside to buying organic is that because it costs farmers more to produce these foods, they're often more expensive than conventional products. So you may want to be selective about which organic foods you buy. When it comes to produce, the fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticide residues are the ones you'd rinse before eating, such as peaches, apples, berries, bell peppers, potatoes, and spinach. Nonorganic foods that have skins or husks you'd peel off, like bananas, oranges, avocados, and sweet peas, are less likely to be contaminated. But whether or not you go organic, the most important thing is that your food choices are healthy ones!

What Does "Organic" Mean?

There is so much buzz these days about the origins of food — where it's from and how it was farmed. Because it's important to eat the healthiest, safest food possible, you're doing a great thing for yourself and your family by making careful choices! I recommend that you eat organic as much as possible — but the labels that proclaim foods to be organic vary.
If you've ever bought organic produce or meat, you've probably seen stickers on the packaging. Here's a quick guide to help you understand what's on these labels!

USDA Organic or 100% USDA Organic: This is the gold standard in the United States for organic certification. Anything bearing the USDA Organic label was made with at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients, the 100 percent USDA Organic label is reserved for foods that are entirely organic — meaning they were produced without hormones, pesticides, or other dangerous chemicals. Now, that's responsible shopping!
Certified Naturally Grown: This label is used by smaller farms that adhere to the USDA guidelines for organic food. Foods marked this way are usually only sold locally.
All Natural: Take this food label with a grain of salt. In fact, you might want to take the whole shaker! The United States has yet to officially define the term "natural," so it can be used whatever way the food manufacturer wants!