Most people walk into a grocery store and see rows of produce ready to be bought. Lines of brown crates fill the entryway with luscious fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, tomatoes, and even watermelon. Many people stop and pick up these delicious fruits and vegetables on the way around the grocery store; however, some people don’t. Others walk over to a smaller section where a banner hangs declaring the fruit and vegetables as “organic.” But what is the difference in these two sections and certainly why is one smaller than the other? Here are the pros and cons of eating organic foods:
Pros:
Free of pesticides
In recent years due to elevated rates pesticides have been associated with diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Since pesticides are used to avert harm from weeds and insects, they are known to be toxic. Pesticides have also been known to be hazardous to children and women who are pregnant. If you eat organic foods, then you don’t have to fear the harmful effects of pesticides.
When farmed are more eco-friendly
Standard farms create a lot of pollution through artificial fertilizers and pesticides. However, with organic farming, there is no artificial fertilizer or pesticides. When you buy organic food, you are promoting eco-friendly farming techniques. Organic farming decreases the chances of water pollution and prohibits soil erosion. Therefore, when you buy an organic product, you’re buying a product that was produced naturally.
Increased nutritional value
Some people might not believe there’s a difference in the amount of nutrition in organic foods. After all, an organic apple looks like an ordinary apple, how could it change? However, due to how organic foods are produced they usually have an increased nutritional value. In addition, organic foods typically contain antioxidants which protect the body from heart disease. Therefore, organic foods not only help the environment but also help your body too!
There are no GMO’s or additives
Due to food requirements in the United States GMOs are not required to be labeled. Therefore, when buying an organic food make sure that you eat food that is GMO-free. However, organic laws forbid the use of food additives. So when you eat organic food the sweetness you taste will not be from an artificial sweetener but instead be natural.
Better taste
Since organic food is produced naturally with eco-friendly farming techniques and no additives, the taste is overall enhanced. While everyone can attest to organic foods differently, organic foods target a specific flavor and make it succulent. Therefore, an apple is no longer just an ordinary apple, but you can taste the vibrate juices and tasty pieces that follow. Why not try some organic foods if not for the health benefits then for the taste.
Cons:
Can be expensive
Prices soar due to a massive demand for organic products. However, the price would lower if more farms would make organic products. The problem is organic farming is not easy. More labor is required, and it can be expensive to produce organic products. Therefore, the price of organic food is high to combat the hard-to-do farming and high demand. But isn’t organic products worth the extra cost? As always it’s your decision just check twice with your bank account before you buy.
All foods exhibit foodborne illnesses
Just because organic foods are produced differently than standard foods does not mean that organic foods are safer, in fact, all foods are prone to E.coli, salmonella, staph and more germs and illness. When eating organic foods, you run the equal chance of getting a foodborne illness, however, if you are careful about what you eat, how it’s prepared, and how much you consume you are less likely to get a foodborne illness.
Shorter shelf life
Due to the lack of additives in organic foods, they are more likely to spoil faster. Standard foods have preservatives or waxes that allows those fruits and vegetables to stay fresh for a more extended period. Therefore, a person could be wasting money on pricey organic foods that spoil in a matter of days. However, for some people, the taste of the organic food surpasses the high price or the short shelf life of these healthy foods.
Small selection
If you walk into your local grocery store, you might see a corner spot designed for organic produce. But why is it so little? It’s due to the low number of organic farms the product they produce goes to various places. While that produce may seem small in quantity, it is for a valid reason. Factor in the people that already bought produce, the food that has already gone bad, and the organic produce that is scattered around a store because of a bored kid and you have a lot of organic produce already. However, the produce you want is in short supply. That’s because the demand is more significant than the supply. If you want organic food, it is suggested you go to a health store rather than a grocery where they only have a small selection. At a health store, you might find a more extensive variety.
No crucial health benefits
While eating organic food is good for you and your body, but it’s not widely known for enhancing your health. There is no evidence of organic food changing a person’s health after a severe injury or medical problem. Although eating organic food can benefit your body and prevent your body from becoming unhealthy. Eating organic food is not going to turn someone into a superhuman.
Do these pros and cons sway your thinking on eating organic? Maybe only a little. Then don’t jump right in and change your whole meal plan. At first, try some organic fruit or vegetables and see if you like it. Make some adjustments here and there and tweak where it’s needed. Then if you want, you can go from there. You can make recipes and find other organic treats you might like, who knows in this world of possibilities maybe you’ll even want to join the organic community!
