There are lots of reasons for eating organic. Some are healthy ones–less toxins, more nutrients. Some are philosophical–support local farmers. And some, as the photo above suggests are on principle.
But choosing organic can be a challenge for some people either because of budgeting concerns or because of the lack of good organic food in the area. If that is your case, stop beating yourself up. You can still make progress on your path to healthier eating without feeling guilty if you can’t do it all. Here are some tips that might help. All you need to do is figure out the one or two that work for you and start there. Eating healthy is a lifestyle and a process. That means variables change over time so knowing different options can be helpful.
Vegetables: If you are lucky enough to live in an area that abounds in local farming then start there. Many farmers, while not being Certified Organic, opt to use very limited pesticides on their plants and try to offer vegetables with very little exposure to these. Seek out those and support them. Eating local produce not only supports your local farmers but the produce is fresher and therefore more nutrient-dense.
Dairy: If you consume a lot of milk then switch to buying organic. That is an easy place to start and even though it may cost a bit more it may actually save you money in the long run. The 2 biggest advantages to buying organic milk are 1. It has a longer shelf life because it’s sterilized at very high temperatures, and 2. Organic milk has no hormones or antibiotics which are often found in regular milk.
Meat and Fish: If you’re buying meat try to choose packaging that says No hormones or Steroids. AND no antibiotics. In Fish, only buy fish that is “wild caught”. Never buy farm raised since these are often treated with antibiotics.
Where to Shop: If you are finding choices poor in your local grocery store, go to the Clubs like Sam’s Club or BJ’s. They often have good organic choices in the above areas and the prices are quite reasonable.
The important thing is to do what you can. Taking even a small step is still taking a step in the right direction. And that is what’s important.