In the last twenty years, Americans have been a part of a fast-growing movement.  It’s a movement so strong that even the nation’s largest food companies and retailers could not overlook it.   What could be responsible for $24.5 billion dollars in retail sales in 2009?  ORGANICS! 

 

In 2009, the Organic Trade Commission sponsored the US Families’ Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study.  We
learned that at least 73% of all US households are purchasing some
organic products regularly and 41% of US households have been purchasing
organic products for at least 5 years. As an integrative physician who practices Lifestyle Medicine, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on the practical side of ‘going organic’. 

 

 Let’s begin with the basics.  A product can be considered organic if:

1. Plants and soil are free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers for 3 years.  This includes the soil that plants are grown in as well as the food that are fed to organic livestock.
2. Livestock are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, and feed additives.
3. No bio-engineering is permitted – otherwise known as ‘Genetically Modified’ or ‘GMO’.  This applies to plants, animals, or animal feed.
4. No irradiation is permitted.  This also applies to plants, animals or animal feed.

 

It’s
also important to note that seafood is a class of food products that
are not regulated as organic and cannot be labeled as such.  It’s best to avoid all seafood labeled as organic.

Since
cost is generally a consideration for most patients, I have included a list of
produce that helps make the most of your organic budget.  This
list includes the cleanest produce with the lowest chemical residue and contains those food items generally considered to be the safest of the non-organic produce .  I encourage you to copy and paste this list into your phone or other PDA so that it’s available during your next shopping trip.

 

Without further ado, I give you The Clean 17!

 

Asparagus

Avocado

Bananas

Blueberries

Broccoli

Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Garlic

Kiwi

Mango

Onions

Papaya

Pineapple

Shelling Peas

Sweet Corn

Sweet Potato

Watermelon

 

This post is Part 1 of a 6 part series where we will explore  The Practical Guide on Going Organic.  If you are empowered about knowing the Clean 17, stay tuned for the Dirty Dozen coming up in the next post.  Until then, I hope you are spending a majority of your grocery shopping time in the fresh produce section at a minimum and saving money with better organic food choices while you are there!