HOW TO AFFORD AN ORGANIC DIET..

It's not news to anyone that organic food is more expensive and I'm sure most of you laugh at the idea of eating a 100% organic diet. You might be wondering if organic food is really that superior to non organic food and how on earth you are meant to afford to buy everything organic!?

Well I can tell you that yes, although results are mixed, there are studies that have proven organic food is more nutritious, and in particular it can be higher in antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, phosphorous and omega 3 fatty acids. But what I think is more important is the reduced toxic load organic food has on your body. Toxicity has been associated with many health issues such as behavioural and mood disorders, reduced immunity, neurological problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, reduced fertility, increased adipose (fat) tissue and many more. I personally don't think it's a coincidence that over the past four generations when the use of artificial chemicals has risen, so have obesity rates.    

One study has shown that one of the main pesticides used on our food (organophosphates), was reduced by up to 90% from just one week of organic eating!!. So for me, I choose to eat organic as much as I can because I think there are enough unavoidable toxins in our world today for our bodies natural detoxfication system to cope with. Why risk adding more to the equation, especially when there are proven detrimental health effects from toxic build up. Beside, do you really want to eat a food that’s been sprayed with chemicals toxic enough to kill living insects?

So I am a big advocate for organic food but what I suggest is to have a budget for organic food and use it wisely. Firstly, grow as much as you can in your own backyard - it's easily accessible, it's free, it's organic and best of all it tastes SO much better!

Secondly, toxins from pesticides accumulate in fatty areas so when it comes to spending money go for organic meat, dairy, nuts, seeds and oils first. With what you have left of your budget I suggest buying organic fruit and veg from the local farmers markets or find a local organic veggie delivery/co-op which tend to be cheaper. The Environmental Working Group have put together the 'dirty dozen' list below which is the top 12 foods with the highest pesticide load so it's worth trying to buy these products organic. There is also a 'clean fifteen' which lists the foods with the least traces of chemicals and pesticides so perhaps leave these as your non organic purchases if your budget doesn't cover everything.   

DIRTY DOZEN

1 Strawberries

2 Apples

3 Nectarines

4 Peaches

5 Celery

6 Grapes

7 Cherries

8 Spinach

9 Tomatoes

10 Capsicum

11 Cherry tomatoes

12 Cucumbers