what should I eat organic?

Hello Nutrigirl,

I'm overwhelmed by all the different diets and not sure where to start.  I'm trying to add in more fruits, veggies and dairy.  I'm wondering how concerned I should be about buying organics.

Thanks!!

Thanks for your question!  Always good to "eat more plants and less cow".

 

The foods you should consider buying organic include those that you'd eat the skin as they contain the highest amount of pesticides.  These include apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, cherries, grapes, bell peppers, greens/lettuce, celery, potatoes, domestic blueberries, nectarines.  Here's a recent article from CNN on organic food:

 

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/13/apples-top-2011-dirty-dozen-list-says-group/

 

You might also consider organic milk due to increased hormone use in commercial milk.  Keep in mind that all milk contains hormones, but most non-organic milk has higher concentrations of synthetic hormones.

 

Organic meat (beef/pork) is also not a bad idea- it comes from smaller farms and is typically grass fed, VS grain fed.  I prefer Amish chicken because there aren't any antibiotics used.  Hormone use is illegal in poultry and pork, but is allowed in beef.  Antibiotics are used widely, unfortunately in the meat industry.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Lisa

 

Lisa C. Andrews, MEd, RD, LD
Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC
(513) 675-6780
http://www.soundbitesnutrition.com/