Organic foods are hot and trendy. They are the cream of the crop, pampered and babied from the grower to the table. Studies have indicated that organic produce is more nutritious, and this niche market has exploded as consumers try to avoid commercial pesticides and other chemical contaminants in their food.

There is a down side, however. Organic food is pricey. It costs more to grow food without chemicals, and farmers pass the increased cost on to their customers. What’s a health conscious greenie on a budget to do?

You don’t have to buy everything organic in order to eat healthier. Foods with thick peels that will be discarded, such as bananas, oranges, and watermelon, are less likely to contain pesticide residue.

Save money by buying organic only when it really counts. The most chemically contaminated crops, most likely to be subject to heavy spraying, include strawberries, peaches, spinach, potatoes, nectarines, grapes, and celery. Peel your fruit and vegetables when possible, buy organic when it’s not.

Know what you’re getting. Fruits and vegetables generally are marked with a four digit code, and foods that are organic will have a number that begins with 9. Watch out for foods with a code beginning with 8 – they’ve been genetically modified.

Read Labels. A food may be labeled “all natural” and “organic”, but that doesn’t mean it’s chemical free. High fructose corn syrup, and monosodium glutamate are examples of problem chemicals that could be hiding behind a “natural” label.

Do your research. Did you know the most pesticide contaminated “natural” food isn’t a plant – it’s non-organic butter? Browse natural foods websites online, or see if there is an email loop for organic eating in your city. Aim to learn one new thing per week, and you’ll be an expert in no time!

Knowledge is power, and a little know-how will go a long way towards stretching your budget!

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