Organic foods for dummies

I know, I know. Anyone can simply Google "organic foods" and find about a petabyte of information regarding what you should or should not eat, the benefits, setbacks, etc. But usually the search results state long, monotonous scientific facts, that frankly, nobody really has the patience to read (I know I don't). Voila, some basic facts about organic foods that are actually readable:

WHAT ARE ORGANIC FOODS?
Organic foods are foods grown without the use of pesticides or sprays. These foods are not allowed to contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES ORGANIC FROM NATURAL?
Natural food is treated with natural sprays (sprays made of natural ingredients).

SOME BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOODS:
Lack of toxins
No artificial sweeteners
“Super foods” reduce cancer risk, reduce high blood pressure
No antibiotics
No added hormones
Good for environment

WOW, ORGANIC FOODS REALLY DO SOUND WORTH IT! WAIT, WHAT ABOUT COST?
On average, they cost 60% more than ordinary produce
Cost about $260 more per month
Often double the cost of regular food

AW, DARN IT. WHY DO THEY COST MORE?
Since there are no pesticides used, organic foods require extra care in order for them to grow properly. These foods are more labor-intensive—thus the higher cost.

HOW DO ORGANIC FARMERS FERTILIZE CROPS AND CONTROL PESTS, DISEASES, AND WEEDS?
Organic farmers' primary strategy in controlling pests and diseases is prevention through good plant nutrition and management. Organic farmers use cover crops and sophisticated crop rotations to manage the field ecology, effectively disrupting habitat for weeds, insects, and disease organisms. Weeds are controlled through crop rotation, mechanical tillage, and hand-weeding, as well as through cover crops, mulches, flame weeding, and other management methods. Organic farmers rely on a diverse population of soil organisms, beneficial insects, and birds to keep pests in check.

WHAT ARE NON-ORGANIC FOODS TREATED WITH?
Pesticides & Herbicides: Highly toxic chemical residues found in foods.
Hormones & Antibiotics: In meats & dairy.
Irradiation: On non-organic spices.
Contaminated Sewage Sludge: Used in the growing process.

HOW ARE THESE TREATMENTS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
-Pesticides and herbicides: Highly toxic chemical residues
-Contaminated sewage sludge: Tests have shown that large amounts of this in the human body may contribute to chronic illnesses.
-Irradiation: This also does more harm than good since it can lead to various diseases. Studies on animals fed irradiated foods have shown increased tumors and kidney damage.

THAT IS GROTESQUE. WHAT ARE SOME DISEASES YOU CAN DEVELOP?
There is growing scientific consensus that even very small doses of pesticides can adversely affect people, especially during the vulnerable periods of early childhood development.
Exposure to pesticides is linked to chronic diseases including Parkinson's Disease, child and adult cancers and neurodevelopmental harm.
Recent studies suggest switching to an organic diet can eliminate residues of certain pesticides in children's urine in just a few days.
“The one disease that comes to mind is cancer…”

WHAT ARE SOME FOODS THAT ARE BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU GET ORGANIC?
Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported (Chili)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Raspberries
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

NO NEED TO GO ORGANIC WITH THESE FOODS:
Bananas
Kiwi
Mangos
Papaya
Pineapples
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn
Onions
Peas
These products generally do not contain pesticide residue

WHY ARE THESE CERTAIN PRODUCE ITEMS WORTH IT?
The food is connected to the ground in some way, so whatever pesticides that are in the ground will soak up and residues of pesticides will show up in the foods.
The US Department of Agriculture found that even after washing fruits and vegetables, there is some residue of pesticides still on them.

  HOW WILL PURCHASING ORGANIC PRODUCTS HELP KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN?
Conventional agricultural methods can cause water contamination.
The organic farmer’s elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, in combination with soil building, works to prevent contamination, and protects and conserves water resources.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NON-ORGANIC PESTICIDES:
Produce
Buy fresh vegetables and fruits in season…
Trim tops and the very outer portions...
Peel and cook when appropriate…
Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables…
Purchase only fruits and vegetables that are subject to USDA regulations…
Wait until just before preparation to wash or immerse your produce in clean water…
Special soaps or washes are not needed and could be harmful to you, depending on their ingredients…
Meats/poultry/fish:
Trim the fat from meat, and fat and skin from poultry and fish. Residues of some pesticides concentrate in animal fat.

IS ORGANIC FOOD BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?
Yes. By eliminating massive quantities of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used in conventional farming, organic methods help protect the health of our air, water and soil.
“Purchasing organic foods will be better for our environment in the long run because we aren't saturating the land with pesticides. Eventually, over the course of years pesticides will make the land they are sprayed on toxic and unusable. This may take a few years or decades, time will tell.” –Brett of Big Bear Natural Foods Store

Notes
Organic milk and non-organic milk is the same thing
Organic poultry and vegetables have shorter shelf life
100% Organic vs. Organic
--100% means that ALL ingredients must be completely organic and raised with the specific requirements.
--Organic means that 95% or more of the ingredients are grown organically.