Which foods do you buy organic?

JDMs_Girl

I'm looking to start buying some foods organic/all natural to eliminate at least some pesticides, artificial hormones and antibiotics, etc. I'm not going to go 100% organic because I don't think that's necessary, but want to switch for those foods that are most sensitive to chemicals. Problem is I don't know what they are. I read an article about it not too long ago but can't remember where I read it.

How do you decide?

Are there any good resources that present the latest science in an unbiased way?

Thanks!

Alirebco

Here is a list of the "dirty dozen" which are the 12 most contaminated foods. 

 http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

 If you click on methodoloy, you'll get more info.  Hope that helps!

CDMay2006

Three factors help me decide whether to buy the organic or conventional versino of a product: consumer's health, environmental health and workers' health.  The dirty dozen/clean fifteen lists will help you decide in terms of your own health, and may help direct your information searches (i think it lists explanatory information, but i don't recall for sure).  In addition to the list, which includes produce, only, I also buy organic dairy.
Organic is better for the environment, but is especially significant in major crops (because of scale; corn, because of GMOs and chemicals, cotton, etc.).  Workers' health is generally overlooked, but agricultural chemicals are extremely unsafe for workers (who are generally underpaid and often lack access to healthcare) and their families. 

GRKaters

Carrots, celery, and often mushrooms and spinach. Everything else is hit-or-miss for us depending on prices and what we need.

We get a lot of our produce from the farmers market and our local food co-op, where the producers largely use organic practices even if they are not certified. 

Awtrey3810

All of our meat is organic, no question. I watched a movie about how chicken was processed, and trust me, you would never eat reguar chicken after that. Of course I cannot think of the name. But deff organic chicken. (We dont eat red meat, so...) Then any fruits & veggies...

Adb6283

I actually just posted a blog about this.  Feel free to read.

I include information on the dirty dozen and clean 15 as well as some other choices I've made to eat better and more eco-friendly (even if it's not organic):

http://grasso-isms.blogspot.com/2010/02/green-eggs-ham-aka-green-eating.html

 

Alisha_A

I pretty much buy everything organic, but then, my reason isn't just to avoid the pesticides and artificial hormones, but also to stop supporting companies that pollute our planet -- which we pay for financially with taxpayer funded cleanup, and increased prices on affected species like local fish, and in other ways, and so that I don't eat or support GMOs.

jennyk213

Most of what we buy is organic, too.  It started out as a health thing and then it grew to be about supporting companies with values more in line with mine (like what Alisha mentioned).  I'll also add that I do it to supporting companies that treat workers well and don't endanger their lives by using chemicals to produce food. 

StephCHK63

I usually go by the rule that, if it has a thin skin - potatoes, apples, tomatoes, etc. - then I try to buy organic because pesticides can penetrate the skin easier.  Things like bananas, which have a thick peel, I just buy regular.

SuperGreen

I start by buying everything I can locally from our Farmer's Market.  It's more important to me to have fresh, local food that supports my local economy than food that's grown organically hundreds of miles away and probably picked by migrant workers.  Most of our farmer's market grows organically they just can't afford the organic certification.  Eating seasonally has its limitations, I must say I'm getting pretty tired of potatoes and apples, but it's important for me to cut as much fossil fuel out of my food as I can.  When I do need to buy from the grocery store I go with the Dirty Dozen.  I also try to buy mushrooms organic since they're grown in mud basically, and if that mud isn't compost god knows what could be in it.  I buy all organic dairy, because conventional cows are fed GMO feed and pumped with growth hormones, which are causing early puberty in young girls.  We're vegetarians so we don't eat meat, but we'd been buying our meat exclusively from the farmer's market for several years before we went veg.

To cut costs, if it's not on the Dirty Dozen and I won't be eating the skin, I don't usually buy organic.  Like avocados or onions.

I don't eat GMOs at all, which is getting really hard.  If it's not explicitely labeled organic, that includes corn, canola, soy, cotton, and sugar.  So if a bag of chips says "sunflower and/or canola oil," I don't buy it.  I drink soda once a week at most, and that's usually when I'm out to eat with coworkers and don't want to get hassled for getting water.

CarrieB.

Meat, dairy, coffee and most vegetables and fruit. I stopped buying bananas because of what I've heard on this board, but I may buy the organic ones someday if they ever look decent. I bake my own sandwich bread, but its kind of hit or miss if I buy organic beans, couscous, rice, oatmeal, etc. It just depends on the price and how it looks in the store. I can't shake the canned tomato and bean habit yet. Maybe someday...

foundmylazybum

SuperGreen:

I start by buying everything I can locally from our Farmer's Market.  It's more important to me to have fresh, local food that supports my local economy than food that's grown organically hundreds of miles away and probably picked by migrant workers.  Most of our farmer's market grows organically they just can't afford the organic certification.  Eating seasonally has its limitations, I must say I'm getting pretty tired of potatoes and apples, but it's important for me to cut as much fossil fuel out of my food as I can.  When I do need to buy from the grocery store I go with the Dirty Dozen.  I also try to buy mushrooms organic since they're grown in mud basically, and if that mud isn't compost god knows what could be in it.  I buy all organic dairy, because conventional cows are fed GMO feed and pumped with growth hormones, which are causing early puberty in young girls.  We're vegetarians so we don't eat meat, but we'd been buying our meat exclusively from the farmer's market for several years before we went veg.

To cut costs, if it's not on the Dirty Dozen and I won't be eating the skin, I don't usually buy organic.  Like avocados or onions.

I don't eat GMOs at all, which is getting really hard.  If it's not explicitely labeled organic, that includes corn, canola, soy, cotton, and sugar.  So if a bag of chips says "sunflower and/or canola oil," I don't buy it.  I drink soda once a week at most, and that's usually when I'm out to eat with coworkers and don't want to get hassled for getting water.

You get hassled for getting water? That's the strangest thing I've heard..ever..maybe I'm hanging out with too many jocks! Water ALWAYS comes to our tables! You can come hang out with the sportos ;D  

Tambcat

I started w/ meats, then used that dirty dozen list, then moved to all dairy, and lately we are buying about 95% organic. With a little creativity, it hasn't been more expensive than shopping conventional groceries at Walmart and Publix, which is what we were doing before. I know that sounds like a crock of sh!t, but I swear! No matter what we do or where we shop, we somehow end up spending $100-150 on groceries per week (including paper products, toiletries, etc.)

Tambcat

foundmylazybum:

SuperGreen:

I and that's usually when I'm out to eat with coworkers and don't want to get hassled for getting water.

You get hassled for getting water? That's the strangest thing I've heard..ever..maybe I'm hanging out with too many jocks! Water ALWAYS comes to our tables! You can come hang out with the sportos ;D  

I agree! I don't hang out with jocks, but I do hang out w/ a lot of health-conscious people and/or people on a tight budget and/or dieters, so water is pretty standard. I'm usually the only one getting soda.

treesapplaud

I buy all animal products in organic (except a few cheeses sometimes).

I also buy organic corn to avoid GM food. Aside from that we usually end up buying organic garlic, tomato puree, lettuces, etc. by habit. This deends on money. 

Alisha_A

Tambcat:

foundmylazybum:

SuperGreen:

I and that's usually when I'm out to eat with coworkers and don't want to get hassled for getting water.

You get hassled for getting water? That's the strangest thing I've heard..ever..maybe I'm hanging out with too many jocks! Water ALWAYS comes to our tables! You can come hang out with the sportos ;D  

I agree! I don't hang out with jocks, but I do hang out w/ a lot of health-conscious people and/or people on a tight budget and/or dieters, so water is pretty standard. I'm usually the only one getting soda.

I actually find drinking soda strange! Wine, water or beer!

Actually that was another thing stupid bad date from Saturday night hassled me about, not drinking soda. Nowhere as much, or as belligerently as tv, but he did bring it up a few times. Loser.

SuperGreen

Tambcat:

foundmylazybum:

SuperGreen:

I and that's usually when I'm out to eat with coworkers and don't want to get hassled for getting water.

You get hassled for getting water? That's the strangest thing I've heard..ever..maybe I'm hanging out with too many jocks! Water ALWAYS comes to our tables! You can come hang out with the sportos ;D  

I agree! I don't hang out with jocks, but I do hang out w/ a lot of health-conscious people and/or people on a tight budget and/or dieters, so water is pretty standard. I'm usually the only one getting soda.

These are my coworkers at the environmental consulting firm where I work.  I already get tons of flack for being a vegetarian.  I found this on my chair a few months ago.  The restaurants I will dine with them at (Chipotle and Noodles) give you a different cup for water, and they make snide comments like "like the sippy cup" or "how do you get through your day without Coke?"  I do like how soda tastes, especially Mr. Pibb, so I have one every once and awhile.

foundmylazybum

:::pats SuperGreen::: That is so weird...(and rude!) I don't like your coworkers very much! 

shortycake

100% of our produce is organic. Everything else is pretty much organic too now that i think about it....organic soy milk, almonds, beans, cheese.

I like knowing that i am supporting a good cause and cleaner food.