FAQs About Eating “Organically”

What is organic food?
Food that is labeled “organic” has been grown or raised without chemical fertilizers, pest killers (pesticides), weed killers, or drugs. This means that farmers and ranchers who grow organic food use only natural pest killers and fertilizers, feed their animals only organic food, don’t give their animals antibiotics or hormones, and don’t use X-rays to kill pests, change plant growth, or keep produce from spoiling. The United States actually regulates which foods can be labeled “organic.”

Why does organic food usually cost more?
A regular food item that costs $1 may cost $1.50 or even $2—twice as much—when it’s grown organically. There are many reasons for the higher cost, including the cost of organic feed for livestock, the small size of organic farms, the additional labor necessary for growing plants and animals without chemical fertilizers and drugs, and government breaks that allow conventional farmers to sell their food for lower prices.

Is organic food  safer?
Nonorganic foods are grown with pesticides, and often there are still small amounts of pesticide left on the food when it gets to the store. Studies have shown that being exposed to large amounts of pesticides can cause harm. But they have not shown that the amounts of pesticides left on nonorganic foods are enough to cause harm.

Are organic foods  more nutritious?
There is not enough evidence to say that organic food is more nutritious than regular food.

Are they better for children?
Children may be more sensitive to pesticides because they are still growing. And they eat more food for their weight than adults do. Products such as organic milk and organic baby food can be good choices for your peace of mind.

Is organic food better for the environment?
Yes. Many organic farmers and ranchers work to conserve water and soil. Pesticides can kill birds and small animals and make it hard for them to reproduce, so using less of these toxic chemicals is good for the environment. Some people buy organic food because they are worried about the environment. But most people do it to avoid chemicals, especially pesticides, in their food.

You can avoid pesticides by buying organic food. But organic food can be hard to find, and it often costs more. If you don’t want to buy organic food, there are other steps you can take to lower the amount of pesticides on your food:

• Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables with detergent, such as liquid dishwashing soap. This will remove some of the pesticides. Use a scrub brush when you can. And always rinse well to get the soap off.
• Peel apples, pears, and peaches, especially before you give them to children.

Eating right boosts performance, endurance and recovery, and feeds muscle growth and repair. Want to learn how your nutrition measures up? Contact our nutrition analysis specialist to help get on the right meal plan for your activity level and health!