Hello!

43 Comments

Have you ever stood in the supermarket wondering whether you should pay the extra dollars for organic produce over the non-organic? Or maybe you’re a person who doesn’t question and only buys organic. However you approach your shopping, wouldn’t it be great to understand if organic food really is better for you?

Is it healthier?

It’s difficult to get a definitive answer on whether organic foods are scientifically proven to be better for you. Some studies, including this one conducted in 2014, found that organic fruits had higher levels of antioxidants compared to their non-organic counterparts. But there doesn’t seem to have been any significant research conducted.

The ABC report on organic produce quoted Tim Crowe, a nutrition scientist at Bond University, who states that there’s no definitive research to prove organic food is more nutritious than conventionally farmed produce, given the variation in climate, soil and processing conditions.

In the same ABC report Dr Liza Oates, who teaches Food as Medicine at RMIT, says sometimes organic produce does have a better nutritional profile. Although this can’t be said for all foods. She also goes on to say that it could be where the produce is purchased that makes it more nutritious as they tend to be bought closer to the source. This means it’s less likely to have been in cold storage for long periods of time as it would have been harvested more recently – which does have an impact on the nutritional value.

How about those pesticides?

Conventional farming methods use synthetic pesticides which can be absorbed into the body. However, there are clear chemical residual limits set by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand which are well below levels that they deem could be a threat to health and safety.

If you’re looking to reduce or remove synthetic pesticides from your lifestyle, genuine organic crops are grown completely pesticide-free.

Are they better for the environment?

This could be seen as a catch-22. Yes, organic farming is better for the environment as the process doesn’t use water-soluble nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser – both of which have significant impact on the environment. However, due to relying on a more natural growing process, the volumes are lower and therefore the producers require more land.

Is the extra cost worth it?

In general, organic produce does cost a little more than non-organic because there are more costs involved which in the end, need to be passed on the consumer. However, a lot of health food providers do try to make organic produce available to everyone by keeping the costs as reasonable as possible.

Does it taste better?

The less the natural process is interfered with, the better the food is going to taste. Organic fruits and vegetables are generally sourced locally and are therefore fresher (most having not spent much time in cold storage). This can make the flavours can sweeter, sharper and more akin to what the produce should taste like.

 

Do you only buy organic or don’t buy into the whole organic thing at all? Tell us in the comments below. 

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • It really depends. I purchased organic celery and it was a massive disappointment. Cost the earch and had no taste.

    Reply

  • Wish organic foods were cheaper to buy.

    Reply

  • I will buy organic vegies if they are discounted but generally I don’t, no are they are too expensive.

    Reply

  • I notice the question “is the extra cost worth it?” Isn’t really answered. It seems to be not a lot of difference between organic and the other stuff, so I would say it’s not worth forking out the extra dollars. Each to their own tho. I always thought it was the pesticides that were the issue, I didn’t realise they also argued it was nutritionally better

    Reply

  • I don’t buy organic, purely because we are on such a strict budget that every extra dollar adds up. I am planning on growing my own garden and when I do, it will be organic though.

    Reply

  • Organic definately tastes different. And also when juiced it looks completely different. We try and buy organic from the fruit and veg shop, but it does depend on price.

    Reply

  • No I don’t buy organic but I do Grow a lot of my own in my veggie patch and the taste difference is awesome

    Reply

  • I buy certain organic food products organic is rather expensive to buy

    Reply

  • Often products labeled organic are very expensive.

    Reply

  • I love the concept of organic but the price Variable is a bit crazy…

    Reply

  • They are better and chemical free.Most of all environment friendly.But price is always high than normal products.

    Reply

  • I think they’d be better for you simply because you are not consuming any nasties,

    Reply

  • I must admit I’ve never brought organic, fruit and veg is fruit and veg, as long as we are feed and neatly that’s all that matters

    Reply

  • Organic foods are out of our price range so we try to grow our own. sometimes our food costs about as much or a little bit more the the stores but we know how fresh it is.

    Reply

  • I try to buy organic whenever possible but it does get expensive. I started my own fruit and veggie gardens. Its a much cheaper way to do it and then I know 100% that it is pesticide free.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join