Whether to buy organic or not can be an emotional topic. There is so much conflicting information as to whether organic foods contain more nutrients than their conventional counterparts.

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However, with the amount of permissible additives in our foods, the chemicals and pesticides used in fertilisers, and the whole debate surrounding GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) or GE (Genetically Engineered) Foods, my advice is to choose organic when feasible.

Yes, this comes at a cost, but as we continue to vote with our dollars, organic produce becomes more available and more reasonably priced.

Regarding what to prioritise in our organic choices, my advice is:

1. Baby Foods (made fresh or purchased), as infants are more vulnerable to pesticides and chemicals
2. Foods you and your family eat often (subject to below)
3. Milk and dairy, as many animals are fed antibiotics, hormones and steroids
4. Meat and poultry, for reasons similar to the above

Regarding fresh produce, every year the Environmental Working Group publishes a list of fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides (Dirty Dozen) and the least (Clean Fifteen). By purchasing ‘Dirty Dozen’ items in their organic form, rather than conventional, the EWG claims we can rid our body of up to 80% of pesticides from fresh produce. We don’t get the same benefit by purchasing items from the Clean Fifteen list, so save money by buying these in their conventional form.

I suggest that all produce is washed, and non-organic peeled, prior to consuming. For more details and updates go to http://www.ewg.org/.

The list below is from the latest research, details released in February 2015.

Supporting local and seasonal produce also has many health benefits, and when we purchase these in their organic form, we can be very proud that we are doing the best for our health and our environment.

 Visit the Health and Vitality page to find out more about Liza's work.

Image: www.pexels.com, www.flickr.com

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