Being a consumer and a mum is confusing when doing grocery shopping. There is so much information out there it is really hard to know what is right or wrong. Organic foods, what are they and what are the key benefits of buying organic?
Organic food is farmed and made differently, there is no use of synthetic fertilisers, they are grown without the use of pesticides, and organically farmed means that the animals have not had growth hormones or antibiotics. One of the main reasons people choose to buy organic is to reduce the load of toxic chemicals that you are eating or even putting on your skin. Also, there are no preservatives added to organic foods to make them last longer, so the produce you consume is often fresher. Organic versus non-organic food may look different, organic often have blemishes, are not perfectly round and look more like your household garden vegetables.
Organic meat, dairy and eggs use disease prevention such as rotational grazing, healthy diet and also have access to the outdoors. Instead of antibiotics. Also by eating organic produce, you are also helping the environment. Organic farming practices reduce pollution, reduce soil erosion and use less energy. It is also better for other wildlife such as birds, and the people that live close to the farms.
Non-Organic food is often sprayed with herbicides and pesticides, (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php)
You may not have the financial means to be able to buy all organic or you may not have the choice in your town or where you live so here are the top 12 dirty dozen of 2019 which have the most pesticide and herbicides residues on them.
Dirty Dozen refers to the most sprayed fruit and vegetables that we should try to buy organic if possible.
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Sweet bell peppers
- Imported nectarines
- Cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Imported snap peas
- Potatoes
The dirty dozen foods are also easily made in an outside vegetable garden. Understandably you may not always be able to get these organic where you live, so local farmer’s markets are a great option where you can support your local farmers and also ask the growers questions about the produce.
There is produce that is non-organic and fine to buy in vegetables if you are wanting to know products with the least residues found.
(EWG,2019) - Avocados
- Sweet Corn*
- Pineapples
- Sweet Peas Frozen
- Onions
- Papayas*
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew Melons
Bluebell has chosen to go organic for their formulations, and it is the first New Zealand made Certified Organic Toddler milk drink available on the market in New Zealand. Bluebell Organic Toddler milk drinks are made with organic and high- quality ingredients. Organic food and ingredients are grown and produced naturally without harmful chemicals and produced as nature intended. Choosing organic can be a solid choice for children especially with a compromised immune system, minimising any further health conditions.
