Should You Eat Organic Fruits & Veg?

Fresh fruit and vegetables are a vital part of a healthy, balanced diet.

But should we be choosing organic produce?

Here, we take a closer a look at what organic actually means and whether it really is a better choice and worth the extra cost.

What does “organic” actually mean?

The term ‘organic’ is used to describe foods grown without pesticides, artificial fertilisers, hormones or antibiotics. Organic farms use techniques that promote environmentally-sustainable farming and prioritise animal welfare.

Is organic produce more nutritious?

The jury is still out as to whether organic foods are more nutritious or not.

The nutritional quality of our fresh food varies widely, regardless of whether it’s organic. This is because nutritional quality is influenced by the climate, soil quality and how it’s processed, among other factors.

There has been minimal research to indicate that organic food is more nutritious. One study found organic produce may contain higher levels of antioxidants compared to conventional produce, however these findings aren’t consistent across all studies.

Is organic better for the environment?

Organic farming is widely considered a far more sustainable alternative when it comes to food production.

The lack of pesticides used, and the greater variety of plants being harvested enhances biodiversity, resulting in better soil quality and reduced pollution from fertilisers or pesticide run-off.

However, scientists are concerned that organic farming has far lower yields compared to conventional farming, and so requires more land to meet this demand.

Are there any fruits and veg where organic is better?

There has been research done looking at which fruits and veggies are best to buy organic (if you can). Generally they tend to be ones where you eat the skin.

The Dirty Dozen was created by an American Environmental Working Group, which tests a collection of conventionally-grown fruit and vegetable samples for pesticide residue each year. The top twelve containing the most pesticides make up the Dirty Dozen list, and the ones with the least residue comprise the Clean Fifteen. The idea is that if you can only afford to buy some organic foods, then the dirty dozen are those you should prioritise. Whereas conventional produce is perfectly safe when it comes to the ‘Clean Fifteen’ foods.

In 2020, the Dirty Dozen consisted of (i.e. the ones you should buy organic if you’re able):

Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Pears
Tomatoes
Celery
Potatoes

The Clean Fifteen included (i.e. the ones you don’t need to buy organic):

Avocado
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Peas
Eggplant
Kiwi
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to the Dirty Dozen.

The levels of pesticides detected on the produce in the Dirty Dozen is still so minimal, it doesn’t warrant any concerns about our health.
It’s also important to note that practices and testing in Australia are different to those in the US, and the produce in this list are only based on a small sample of produce grown in the USA. This means the list (and results of the analysis) are unlikely to be representative of the conventional fruit and vegetables we have access to here in Australia.

If you wish to go organic, here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which produce is worth the extra money:

Produce with skins you eat, such as apples, or thin skins, such as berries, may contain higher amounts of residual pesticides. These are more worthy recipients of those extra dollars.
Fruits and vegetables with thick skins, such as pineapple and avocado, are less likely to be penetrated by pesticides, so may not be worth the extra money.

Other ways you can eat sustainably:

Reduce food miles by buying local
Buy seasonal produce
Always wash all your fruit and vegetables thoroughly
Consider growing your own fruits and vegetables! We’re big fans of the Vegepods! They are essentially a raised gardening bed that makes growing fruits, veggies & herbs so easy! Vegepods have self-watering technology, which means your plants can last weeks without watering! They also have a protective cover which protects your plants from harsh sunlight and pests and helps manage temperature by allowing water and air to get through.

Our Verdict

Organic is a ‘nice to have’ not a ‘must have’. Organic or not, you can rest assured your fruit and veggies are very safe and nutritious for you to eat and enjoy!

Research from CSIRO has shown that 4 in 5 adults don’t consume enough fruits and vegetables. So organic or not – eating more fruit and vegetables should be your priority. It’s one of the simplest ways you can improve your health and wellbeing, and prevent against the growing rates of obesity and lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

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