What are the benefits of organic produce? What does “organic” actually mean? These are just a couple questions people ask themselves when making healthier choices for their fruits and vegetables. We want to keep you informed as you go out to buy produce for your Jack LaLanne Power Juicer. Juicing helps you live a healthy life. Let’s figure out if buying “organic” will make you even healthier.
Some studies have suggested that organic foods may contain higher levels of vitamin C, trace minerals, and other nutrients. However, others have found no real nutritional difference between organic and non-organic food. The real benefits occur from when the produce is initially grown.
When you see “organic” on a label, it refers to the way the produce was grown. In order for farmers to claim their fruits and vegetables were grown organically, they must follow strict guidelines. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic crops have to be grown in untreated soil, cannot be modified, and have to be grown away from conventional products. No pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, sewage sludge-based fertilizers, and bioengineered genes can be used. Here’s what the “organic” label on the produce actually means.
“100% Organic” means the produce is completely organic or made with completely organic ingredients and follows USDA guidelines. “Organic” means the food has at least 95% organic ingredients. These foods may display the “USDA ORGANIC” label.
Foods that have “Made with organic ingredients” mean they contain at least 70% organic ingredients. If the package says “Contains organic ingredients”, it means that it is made with less than 70% organic ingredients. These foods cannot display the “USDA ORGANIC” label.
It has been found that people with certain allergies to foods, chemicals or preservative may find their symptoms lessened when they eat organic food versus non-organic food. It is fact that organic produce contains fewer pesticides. Produce grown with pesticides can still contain them on, or even in, the food. Peeling the skin of the produce may help, but often times you are peeling away the nutritional value with the skin. Most organic food is usually grown on small farms near where it is sold (but not always). This means your produce will be fresher and taste better.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of U.S. government pesticide testing, found that there are several fruits and vegetables that have extremely high pesticide levels. So if you want to pick and choose which ones to buy organically, here are the ones that should be on your list:
- Apples
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cherries
- Imported Grapes
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Strawberries
These are also some of the most popular fruits and vegetables used in American households.
Give organic a try the next time you head to your local grocery store or farmer’s market for your Power Juicer. Or you can even try to grow your own organic produce right in your own backyard.
Have you noticed any differences when drinking juice made with organic produce?