What is the difference between organic and non-organic?  Have you found yourself asking that question?  Well it is an important question to know the answer to as you venture into healthy buying habits.  It is always best to have as much information at your disposal in order for you to make the best decisions for you and your family.

The only thing you may know about organic is that it is more expensive and suppose to be healthier for you, but that’s it.  But there are a lot more intricacies going on than meets the eye.  Organic is certified by the USDA with strict guidelines and non-organic is conventionally grown and fed products (produce, dairy, eggs, meat).   Non-organic can use any legal pesticide/insecticide as they chose and organic have many more limitations which we will talk more about below.  

Organic pros: 

• 4 fold lower levels of pesticides²
• Organically raised livestock are exposed to less toxins due to their living conditions required.
• 47% more Omega-3 Fatty Acids in organic meat³
• 17% more antioxidants⁴ 
• Greater concentrations of polyphenols (micronutrients in plants that have many health benefits)⁵
• Cannot be Genetically Modified (GMO)

Organic cons:

• more expensive
• Some synthetic pesticides are still allowed, all be it much less than conventional methods⁶

Where do you go from here?

1. The best is to buy from a local farmer that you know uses zero pesticides / insecticides.
2. If that is not an option and you can afford it then, buy organic.  
3. Going organic doesn’t have to break the bank. Focus your budget on the “Dirty Dozen” items, buying organic for those and opt for nonorganic options when it comes to everything else–you’ll still be making a healthy decision!  (see “Dirty Dozen” blog post)
4. At the end of the day just do the best that you can and continue to research the foods you buy. 

Sources:

1. https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling
2. https://csanr.wsu.edu/significant-benefits-organic-plant-based-foods/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4838835/
4. https://csanr.wsu.edu/significant-benefits-organic-plant-based-foods/
5. https://csanr.wsu.edu/significant-benefits-organic-plant-based-foods/
6. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-G/subject-group-ECFR0ebc5d139b750cd

*This article is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations in this and other articles is at the choice and risk of the reader.

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