The organic versus non-organic decision is still a cart-stopper in the grocery store. Which fruits are
healthier when grown organically? Which vegetables? What about that box of crackers? Trying to pick
the cream of the crop becomes a chore within a chore when you don’t know the ”why” and “what”
factors. All you need is a quick, Organic Shopping 101 course to narrow the selection and get you to the
check-out line in record time.

First, determine why you are shopping organic so your selection doesn’t feel so fruitless. If you need
to justify (to yourself or your budget-conscious significant other) why you’re spending a little more on
certain items, then consider these reasons:

Organic means farmers use no antibiotics and no growth hormones, grow produce within
sanitary and spacious facilities and use the fewest conventional pesticides
No GMOs– organic foods are not genetically modified in any way
A smaller carbon footprint–organic farms use the most sustainable methods to promote
biodiversity and a healthy eco-system
Cleaner water, soil and air–pesticides from conventional farming can intoxicate the water
supply, wildlife and the atmosphere

If these reasons don’t inspire you to go organic for every single purchase, consider that it doesn’t have
to be an all-or-nothing situation. Just keep in mind that certain conventional fruits and veggies are
produced with a high number of pesticides– these, you should buy organic.

Fruit:

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Apples
Any berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Cherries
Grapes (imported variety)

Veggies:

–
–
–
–

Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce)
Bell peppers
Carrots
Celery

Meat, eggs and dairy: The organic options ensure animals are provided healthy living conditions,
organic feed and adequate treatment for injuries or illness. When buying organic in the refrigerated
aisles, select “all of the above.”

Crackers, cookies, cereals, coffee and anything else in a box or bag: This is an open-ended question,
which means you can pick and choose which of these are better organic based on your preferences of
taste, brand, price and/or variety. The same rules apply, though: organic cereals must contain all organic
ingredients. If your mixed berry granola claims it’s organic, then it was made with organic berries. (Hint:
buy only as much as you need. Packaged goods usually find a place in the pantry for many months, but
organic versions have a shorter shelf-life due to their lack of artificial preservatives.)

Your final exam: Make your shopping list and match the items on it with the groceries above. If you
study the organic foods and brands you prefer, then you won’t second-guess yourself!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com who has been selling discount vitamins since
1994. They have grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with
vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! They sell everything from
Coq10 to Raspberry Ketones. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal
to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, health foods and sports nutrition to help with
your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content
outside of this article.The organic versus non-organic decision is still a cart-stopper in the grocery store. Which fruits are
healthier when grown organically? Which vegetables? What about that box of crackers? Trying to pick
the cream of the crop becomes a chore within a chore when you don’t know the ”why” and “what”
factors. All you need is a quick, Organic Shopping 101 course to narrow the selection and get you to the
check-out line in record time.

First, determine why you are shopping organic so your selection doesn’t feel so fruitless. If you need
to justify (to yourself or your budget-conscious significant other) why you’re spending a little more on
certain items, then consider these reasons:

Organic means farmers use no antibiotics and no growth hormones, grow produce within
sanitary and spacious facilities and use the fewest conventional pesticides
No GMOs– organic foods are not genetically modified in any way
A smaller carbon footprint–organic farms use the most sustainable methods to promote
biodiversity and a healthy eco-system
Cleaner water, soil and air–pesticides from conventional farming can intoxicate the water
supply, wildlife and the atmosphere

If these reasons don’t inspire you to go organic for every single purchase, consider that it doesn’t have
to be an all-or-nothing situation. Just keep in mind that certain conventional fruits and veggies are
produced with a high number of pesticides– these, you should buy organic.

Fruit:

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Apples
Any berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Cherries
Grapes (imported variety)

Veggies:

–
–
–
–

Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce)
Bell peppers
Carrots
Celery

Meat, eggs and dairy: The organic options ensure animals are provided healthy living conditions,
organic feed and adequate treatment for injuries or illness. When buying organic in the refrigerated
aisles, select “all of the above.”

Crackers, cookies, cereals, coffee and anything else in a box or bag: This is an open-ended question,
which means you can pick and choose which of these are better organic based on your preferences of
taste, brand, price and/or variety. The same rules apply, though: organic cereals must contain all organic
ingredients. If your mixed berry granola claims it’s organic, then it was made with organic berries. (Hint:
buy only as much as you need. Packaged goods usually find a place in the pantry for many months, but
organic versions have a shorter shelf-life due to their lack of artificial preservatives.)

Your final exam: Make your shopping list and match the items on it with the groceries above. If you
study the organic foods and brands you prefer, then you won’t second-guess yourself!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com who has been selling discount vitamins since
1994. They have grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with
vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! They sell everything from
Coq10 to Raspberry Ketones. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal
to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, health foods and sports nutrition to help with
your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content
outside of this article.