12 Things You Should Definitely Buy Organic

By now, we all know there's a benefit to buying some stuff organic. But these days you're faced with the option of getting everything organic -- from fruits and veggies to mattresses and clothing. You want to do right by your body, for sure, but going the all-natural route en masse can be pricey.

So we wondered: What's really essential for our health? That's why we came up with this definitive list. Here's what should be in your cart -- and what you don't have to worry about.

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Beef

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You've probably read plenty of stories about the risks of eating chicken. But the most important protein to buy organic may well be beef. "Research suggests a strong connection between some of the hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans, particularly breast cancer," says Samuel Epstein, M.D., professor emeritus of environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Specifically, the concern is that the estrogen-like agents used on cattle could increase your cancer risk, adds Ted Schettler, M.D., science director at the Science and Environmental Health Network. Though there are strong regulations about the use of hormones in cattle, "not all beef producers are following those regulations strictly, and some studies continue to find hormone residue in cattle," Dr. Schettler says. When you buy beef that's been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you're not only cutting out those hormones, you're also avoiding the massive doses of antibiotics cows typically receive, which the USDA says may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in people. More from Health.com: 5 Surprising Things You Don't Have to Buy Organic 10 Types of Food That Can Make You Sick 10 Dirty (and 5 Clean!) Fruits and Veggies

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You've probably read plenty of stories about the risks of eating chicken. But the most important protein to buy organic may well be beef. "Research suggests a strong connection between some of the hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans, particularly breast cancer," says Samuel Epstein, M.D., professor emeritus of environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.

Specifically, the concern is that the estrogen-like agents used on cattle could increase your cancer risk, adds Ted Schettler, M.D., science director at the Science and Environmental Health Network.

Though there are strong regulations about the use of hormones in cattle, "not all beef producers are following those regulations strictly, and some studies continue to find hormone residue in cattle," Dr. Schettler says.

When you buy beef that's been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you're not only cutting out those hormones, you're also avoiding the massive doses of antibiotics cows typically receive, which the USDA says may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in people.

More from Health.com:
5 Surprising Things You Don't Have to Buy Organic
10 Types of Food That Can Make You Sick
10 Dirty (and 5 Clean!) Fruits and Veggies

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Comments

[Benjo333]

06:05 PM on 05/05/2011

Popcorn...yeah, popcorn seriously contains fiber and not much else that is nutritionally worthwhile. You might want to skip it...all together...

[Brendan Diamond]

10:56 PM on 05/04/2011

This is an obtuse article. If you're drinking milk at all, you're not doing right by your body, which hasn't needed milk since you were weaned.

[LovingFit]

08:39 AM on 04/25/2011

I think we should all support Organic Industry, because the conventional food is making us sick. I saw this amazing documentary and it ripped the eye lids off my eyes, I blogged about it, I think everyone should see that documentary.

http://www.lovingfit.com/nutrition/the-black-curtain-of-agriculture/

I also took a trip to my local supermarket and took some pictures of the ingredients list of so called "Natural and Healthy Foods" and this is what I came up with:

http://www.lovingfit.com/nutrition/natural-foods-exposed/

[Beth Alexander]

06:28 PM on 04/23/2011

I enjoy articles like these, but I just wish the heading was something more like "Things you should buy organic for YOUR health". Because it's true. These items seem like they would have a more negative impact on health when not organic. But people choose organic for more reasons than human health. For example, for the benefit of the enviromnent. Non-organic soybeans (roundup Ready) have a large negative impact on the environment since they can withstand so much of the poison sprayed on them. Evidence shows that because of crops like these, toxic hebicide use has greatly increased. I choose to eat organic soy because it is better for the environment, not just my health. I realize this article is only meant to cover the human health aspect of this subject, but the heading should reflect that.

[LovingFit]

04:46 AM on 04/16/2011

Apples, berries, veggies, anything that you eat with skin should be organic. If you peel it, it doesn't have to be. But to be honest, I wish everything would be grown organic and with nutrient rich soil. People will have a lot less health and weight problems. Follow my health and fitness blog
http://www.lovingfit.com

[Sandy Henson Corso]

12:37 PM on 04/13/2011

Great article! we talk about each of these on Peaceful Daily http://www.peacefuldaily.com

[kendrarenee1]

03:39 PM on 04/09/2011

U may say I'm in the wrong blog but this world needs to hear the basics from every angle.
When this world was created it was created balanced and upon it we had everything that every living organism needs to survive, stay healthy and to heal any illnesses. Not until the greed for $ came into play did this world start to die fast.Humans started tampering with natural creations, making synthetics, preservatives, splitting Atoms, which goes back to the greed for $.
To keep this topic believable and to fit into this box,the world governments have been blinding citizens from finding out about plans to destroy the world so they can recreate the perfect specimen of human,lol, by keeping man overly busy, over burdened and working harder than ever to keep their heads above water.
The more you simplify your life, the more happiness you will have. Face it, we are killing ourselves trying to achieve the American Dream,(artificial happiness), which became impossible to achieve years ago.Broadly spoken, Grow your own garden, make your own electricity with windmills, solar panels, and put these monopolizing energy companies - dangerous nuclear and gas plants - out of business. When you put food in your mouth, think about the source and you will eat healthier and become healther.
Due to space limits here, I cannot write anymore.If you've fallen victim to a "phantom" chronic illness, feel free to post or email me direct. Think about this - "Attrition by Physician".

[StephenJK]

10:26 AM on 04/17/2011

I will be your first fan....gladly.

[kendrarenee1]

04:37 PM on 04/21/2011

Thank you for being a "fan" of what I've stated on the Huffington Post. I probably was in the wrong section for posting but every time I think about problems we are having it all goes back to one thing, the government and money.
I just learned about the Huffington Post and it really has some good topics. Are you a regular? I'm surprised that I haven't received hate mail about my post. lol.
Thank You!!

[beauley]

08:21 PM on 04/07/2011

To feed your family the most nutritious foods grow your own organic vegetables.
How to Grow Organic Tomatoes in Your Backyard Garden
http://www.ehow.com/how_5834697_grow-organic-tomatoes-backyard-garden.html

[jacquelinenh]

09:42 PM on 04/06/2011

I use this veggies/fruit wash recipe -- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/05/food-addiction-brain_n_844931.html (about halfway down) -- basically water, baking soda, and a little lemon. Can be a soak or a spray. I see a lot of gunk after rinsing berries. Just follow up with a water rinse before eating. It works!

[StephenJK]

10:27 AM on 04/17/2011

Thank you! Do you make the solution in batches to be stored or do you make it everytime you want to wash produce?

[Endogenous Light Nexus]

11:00 AM on 04/04/2011

This article talks about the importance of organic beef without any mention of the fact that any beef from any source has the potential to be contaminated with mad cow disease because there is not universal testing in this country and optional testing is specifically prohibited -- meaning no beef farmer can market his product as Mad Cow Free. The disease is rampant in wild deer and many other animals including cats, truly an epidemic. Good studies have shown that around 5% to 15% of people dying with Alzheimer's actually have the human version of the disease and that means it is epidemic in the human population too, but the beef lobby or whoever else feels they benefit from minimal testing of the food supply this way have apparently bought the votes they've needed in Congress so far to keep them deregulated. While people have to be getting exposed to the disease, after all when they went to full testing in Europe there were thousands of infected cattle discovered that in America would have gone on to make hamburgers.

Yuk.

PS: anyone interested in radiation protection please see my ebook Antinuclear Nutrition at http://antinuclearnutrition.com and track the spreading contamination from Fukushima from my blog at http://blog.antinuclearnutrition.com.

[Chuck Bluestein]

06:50 PM on 03/30/2011

I know that it is better to get organic food when you can. As far as the strawberries and other berries, it says that they have a lot of surface area. But if you wash them then that should take almost all of the pesticides off. This is whan you cannot get the organic. Sometimes even the Whole Foods do not have organic. http://bit.ly/card-io Berries have lots of health benefits especially for heart health.

[cynthiabaileymd]

06:49 PM on 03/27/2011

This is a nice summary of recommendations that have been coming out slowly over the past year or so. I buy organic and it isn't that expensive because I'm careful not to overbuy. When food goes bad before we eat it, it's wasteful and expensive. I pay more per item but buy less. It helps me to shop more frequently and buy just what I know we'll use in a few days.

As a dermatologist, patients come to see me for skin diseases and don't expect me to address their diet but I do. We are what we eat, skin issues included. Organic foods have fewer chemicals but also I think organic foods are more nutritionally rich. I encourage patients to consider a predominantly plant based organic diet to support their healthy skin: http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/diet-recommendations-for-healthy-skin/

I'm also glad to see this article point out the amount of hormones in meat and dairy. I've always been concerned about that and my kids got hormone-free dairy and beef for the last 15 years. I've wondered about acne and these hormones with my patients and have encouraged them to eat hormone free options when possible.

I do wish I'd been better about the plastic containers when my kids were growing up. In fact, we still have some plastic containers and this article inspires me to get rid of them. We never heat food in them, but still, it's concerning.

[beauley]

08:14 AM on 03/27/2011

Our foods are now so processed and adulterated that they have lost most of their original food nutrients.
How to Realize That: Organically Grown Foods Are Our Only Hope
http://www.ehow.com/how_4932588_organically-grown-foods-only-hope.html

[Maranda MassieGuthrie]

09:34 AM on 03/26/2011

Good to know, some of it i already knew, but i have for years been questioning even those at farmers markets about their pesticides in fruits!! Even some of them us some dangerous products..I noticed they left out eggs, that is a big one! To those of you who are skeptical, think again, when my daughter was 18 months she started growing breasts, i talked to my doctor and he said buy organic eggs, and milk, within 6 months her boobs went away!!

[TSRVT]

08:42 AM on 03/23/2011

Ah, the Consumer Paranoia Institute at work again.