Organic Food: Is It Worth The Price?

The responsibility to eat foods that supply our bodies with the proper building blocks for health makes it necessary for us to have a knowledge of which foods to eat. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine states, "Let food be your medicine, and medicine by your food", while the hugely successful Andrew Weil M.D. empowers us by saying, "Diet has the distinction of being the only major determinant of health that's completely under your control." These quotes share how large an impact food has on our well being and most importantly who is in charge of this part of our lives. Lately there has been a huge push in grocery stores around the country to carry locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. Further, in specialty stores such as Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Henry's there has been a call from consumers to carry organic meats. The answer to the question, is spending a little extra money on these organic products worth the added cost, depends on your priorities. As a future doctor and a concerned consumer I have tried to weigh the pros and cons.

-Here are a few arguments for buying organic goods.

• Americans have become nutrient deficient due to the premature picking of fruit and vegetables in order to transport the products to their foreign markets. The last two weeks of vein ripening for fruits and vegetables is crucial because this is when 60% to 80% of the nutrients are created. If these products are picked too early, they run the risk of going to market without the majority of their advantagous properties. Organically grown produce is locally grown which means decreased transportation time which allows for picking much later. This in turn gives the produce more time to become nutritious.



• Pesticides and hormones are left out of the organically grown goods, many of which are known to be toxic to the human body, especially when consumed for long periods of time.



• Environmentally, organic produce is produced without the heavy use of pesticides which is toxic to our water and our earth.



• Grass fed, free range chicken and beef which are hormone-free carry much more of the essential fatty acids (omega-3's and 6's) in comparison to non-organic meats.



• Purchasing organic goods supports our local farmers which helps to distribute the wealth of our country rather than big businesses.

-Here are a few arguements for not buying organic goods:

• The cost of organic goods is between 10% and 20% more expensive than non-organic.



• The selection for non-organic goods is much larger than organic.



• The number of stores that sell non-organic foods far out number the ones that do carry organic goods.



• Non-organic foods commonly need less preparation time in comparison to organic foods.

As for me, I have chosen to purchase and consume organic produce and meats on a weekly basis because I feel that this is not only a better way of living for my body, but also for the environment. For information on food co-ops which will deliver organic fruit and vegetables to you or, very near you, please check out this website, http://www.greenpeople.org/csa.htm. To purchase grass fed, free-range chicken and beef please check out Trader Joes meat section.