Should You Buy Organic or Not?

We've all been there - you're at the grocery store, and you don't want to spend an entire paycheck on fruits and vegetables alone, but if you go the organic route, you know you'll be cutting it close. Surely not all fruits and vegetables are created equally, so perhaps you've wondered, "Which foods should I buy organic or not?" Think about the foods you eat on a daily basis. These are the foods you should consider purchasing organic, such as apples, strawberries and berries, peaches and nectarines, grapes, celery, cherry tomatoes and spinach, as they all have shown positive tests for pesticides by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fruits and vegetables containing a thick outer layer of skin tend to be less susceptible to pesticides, acquiring a larger defense mechanism to chemicals. Save yourself some money and load up your meal management system with the foods on our list of what you don't need to buy organic.

Avocado

The thick shell of avocados protects them from chemicals imposed during the agricultural process. According to the USDA, foods that must be peeled are likely to contain fewer residues by the time they are ready to be eaten.

Cabbage

When it comes to organic or not, cabbage doesn't need to be. The outer leaves of cabbage shelter the inner leaves and collect most of the pesticides that are exposed to the plant, so cabbage is naturally low in pesticides and protected from most toxins.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is non-organically great because the edible flesh part of the fruit is well separated from its stiff skin (which is where the pesticides are). In addition to being delicious, cantaloupe offers vitamins B, C and K, as well as potassium and antioxidants to protect your skin, eyes, and hair.

Eggplant

During commercial growing, pesticides do not always stick or remain on the vegetable's skin. Eggplant is a safe inorganic choice because of its strong purple coating. Eggplant also has significant potential health benefits, including reduced risk of a number of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Grapefruit

Grapefruits are especially not worth buying organic because their greatly thick coat is a barrier for unnatural pesticides. Also, grapefruits are an outstanding source of lycopene for body cells, and hesperidin for blood flow.

Kiwi

A refreshing and sweet kiwi has a coat that is rough and tough, not allowing pesticides to seep through. That being said, you should avoid eating the skin, which does get exposed to chemicals. Organic or not, kiwi is a great treat, but saving money and avoiding organic when you can is a treat that is even greater.

Onion

According to one sample of one study, a high percentage of onions were found with little to no pesticides. The bitter smell of onions naturally wards off many insects, and the vegetable's underground growth allows it to withstand pesticides well, so you can skip the organic onions.

Mango

When it comes to organic or not, another food you can avoid the organic version of is mango. Its firm covering divides the insides from agricultural contamination and sprays, so it's safe to eat when it's inorganic. They also test low for pesticides, which are usually exposed mostly to the outside of the food.

Pineapple

Pineapple's thick and stubby skin prevents expansion of chemicals to the sweet, soured center. Not only are pineapples vitamin C friendly, abounding with manganese and inflammatory enzymes, but they are also a safe selection when avoiding organic. Studies conducted by the USDA claim almost two-thirds of sampled foods contain excess synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which is why it is more important than ever to be aware of foods containing more pesticides versus those containing less, so you can decide when to buy organic or not. Should you buy organic or not? In the end, the choice is up to you. There is always a way to have balance, even between your organic and inorganic diet. Save the change at the grocery store, keep these healthy fruits and vegetables in mind, and always maintain balance in your important meal management system, with a gym backpack or gym tote containing all the nutritious produce anyone could ever want.