Health & Beauty
Health & Beauty By Naomi Kenan Is Organic Food Worth the Extra Bucks? the Sometimes it is–sometimes it isn't rganically grown food spares you and your family from pesticides, additives, hormones, antibiotics, and other unwanted, unpronounceable, and mysterious ingredients. But it also costs more—sometimes a lot more. In fact, prices for organic food are often about double those of traditionally produced food, according to Consumer Reports and SmartMoney.com. Yet organic food may be one investment with a priceless return: your health. Consider this: in 100,000 lab tests done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, some fruits and vegetables still contained pesticide residue, even after washing. However, not all foods are created organically equal. Here's a quick guide to help you decide. O Fruits and Veggies e Environmental Working Group (EWG) in Washington, D.C., came up with what it calls the "dirty dozen"—fruits and veggies that you should always buy organic, or risk the side effects of the pesticide-laden traditional produce. (It based its list on the USDA studies.) Go organic with: • Fruits: apples, red raspberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries, and imported grapes • Vegetables: bell peppers, spinach, celery, and potatoes During the summer, when you can buy from local farms, you may not even pay more for the organic produce. Just keep in mind that organic produce won't stay fresh as long as the traditional supermarket fare. Dairy, Eggs, Meat, and Poultry Consider whether you can work "organic" into your budget for these foods. Why? You'll avoid ingesting what many of these animals have been fed—such as hormones and antibiotics, which can lower your resistance to bacteria. Some non-organic feed has been found to contain toxins like the one linked to mad cow disease. 52 SUBURBAN ESSEX MAGAZINE Summer 2009
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