Organic vs. Conventional Produce—What's Best?

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there’s a lot to choose from. It’s no wonder some consumers get confused about which produce to buy. Not to mention organic vs. conventional produce options—it’s hard to know what’s best. Fruit and vegetables contain vital nutrients your body needs to function properly and fight off disease, so it’s important to include plenty of them in your diet. Many varieties of produce have their own set of health benefits too, so it’s important to choose a good mix. Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for produce is pesticides. These days a lot of produce is heavily sprayed and contaminated with chemicals. Some produce has more pesticides sprayed on them than others, so you want to make sure you are educated about which ones to look out for.

Organic produce is always your best bet, since it is grown without pesticides and harsh chemicals. If you typically buy conventional produce because you are on a budget, that’s ok, as it much healthier than buying a bunch of junk food filled with unhealthy fats and sugar. It’s still a good idea however, to learn which fruit and vegetables contain the most pesticides and you can decide for yourself.

Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just recently updated their Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce lists, so I wanted to pass the information along.