Is there a benefit to paying extra for organic foods?
Q: I know that there is some controversy over whether or not organic produce is better than conventionally grown produce, but what about organic milk and beef? Is there a benefit to paying extra for organic versions of these foods?
A: Yes, certain produce are not worth spending extra cash on for organic. However, the nonprofit organization known as the Environmental Working Group came up with 12 fruits and vegetables refered to as "the dirty dozen", due to the fact that they are the fruits and veggies that have the highest amounts of pesticides on them. This means it may be worthwhile to go organic when buying these foods, which include: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes. Then there are studies showing that certain types of produce contain more antioxidants in the organic versions, which makes shelling out the extra cash for these foods, worthwhile. These include tomatoes, broccoli and berries, such as black-, blue-, straw- and raspberries.
When it comes to dairy, yes, it is definitely worth it to buy organic. Research studies have confirmed that organic milk (milk from cows raised organically) contains higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), than regular milk (milk from cows raised conventionally). These healthy fats can help you lose body fat, build lean, strong muscle, and help to protect against certain cancers, heart disease and disease. Since dairy products such as cottage cheese and yogurt are made from milk, it's also smart to choose organic versions of these products. Of course, if you buy skim milk or fat-free dairy products you won't be getting the benefits of these healthy fats. So only buy organic if you go with low- or reduced- fat versions, and of course, the full-fat versions of these dairy products.
Organic beef (beef from organically raised cattle) is also worth the extra bucks. Like the milk from organically-raised dairy cows, the beef from organically-raised cattle also contains higher levels of CLA and omega-3 fatty acids than the beef from conventionally-raised cattle. Research also has shown that organic beef contains higher levels of beta-carotene and vitamin E than conventional beef.
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