Going Organic? Get the Best Bang for Your Buck

The prevalence of organic food flooding the marketplace over the past 10 years is difficult to ignore. Right there, next to the regular apples – at a higher price – are the organic apples. Some grocery stores even dedicate their entire stock to organic foods.

So, you’re wondering, if I’m going to go organic, or even partially organic, what items will give me the best bang for my buck? Before we get to specific items, let’s consider where you’re shopping for your organic foods. On average, chain grocery stores charge between .45 and .79 more per pound than if you head to your local farmers market, which is where a large part of this organic movement was born. So, consider supporting your local farmers.

On to the foods themselves:

BEANS & LENTILS

Many health experts consider beans a super food. They are fibre-rich, and bank-account friendly and they have the power to fill you up without filling out your clothes. When it comes to the organic variety of beans, you’ll find the mark up isn’t going to set you back and may be so minimal you won’t even notice it.

CORN TORTILLAS

Corn is a mixed bag of differing opinions among health experts. But if you decide to go the organic route, it won’t set you back much. Corn tortillas are generally healthier for you than their wheat counterparts. If you can track down some tortillas made from non-GMO corn, you won’t be looking at a major cost increase.

FROZEN FRUIT

I know, I know, isn’t the point of eating organic to have the freshest produce possible? But hear me out. Frozen fruit is generally inexpensive, and, on average, the organic versions are close in price to the non-organic. That is some bang for your organic buck, but the real value comes in their best use – homemade smoothies. Smoothies are quick to prepare, delicious, simple and healthy. If you don’t make it yourself, the cost can feel unreasonably high. Having a large bag of frozen fruit on hand is an amazing way to save some money. Plus, they can last up to a year. If you decide to add organic fruit, berries are your healthiest option.

APPLES

We were all raised with the adage: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. According to the Environmental Working Group’s dirty dozen list, however, apples are near the top of the list when it comes to pesticide residue. Thankfully, organic apples may be the easiest of all organic produce to find, and relatively close in price to their dirtier non-organic counterparts.

MEAT

Generally, bang for your buck in terms of meat depends on the cut you choose. When we’re talking organic meat, it’s mostly the same situation. The bonus to organic meat is that you forgo the antibiotics found in much of the livestock in North America. For it to be certified organic, meat and dairy must be free of all antibiotics.

GREENS

Spinach, kale and lettuce are known for the heavy pesticide use it takes to keep mass crops of them alive, however, when grown organically, they carry a price that isn’t significantly higher. Making this change can be the easiest, if attempting to increase the number of organics in your life.

In most cases, you aren’t paying through the nose to go organic, but the costs can add up, so make sure you are getting the best health value for your dollar.

Lorne Marr is a fitness enthusiast and blogger. Visit his site at http://lornemarrfitafter45.ca

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