7 Foods That Aren’t Worth Buying Organic!

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Eating organic foods 100% of the time would be great.
But let’s face it – buying organic gets expensive. In fact, WebMD reports that organic foods and beverages can cost as much as 50 percent to 100 percent more than conventional foods…

… and that’s a price tag many of us just can’t afford.

The good news is, recent studies published by organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) show that not everything has to be purchased organic. In fact, we now know that some non-organic fruits and veggies are just as safe to eat as their organic counterparts (and they don’t come with a hefty price tag)!

Check out the list below to discover 7 safe foods that aren’t worth the organic splurge…

Onions

According to the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, 98 percent of sampled onions were pesticide-free – making onions a particularly clean crop. This bulblike vegetable grows underground – and is safe from many pests. Plus, onions have a pungent flavor that naturally repels many bugs – so they aren’t sprayed as heavily with pesticides as some other vegetables.

Betcha didn’t know: Raw onions help hair growth! Onions are high in sulphur which helps in the regrowth of hair follicles. Massaging onion juice on the scalp is one of the best ways to stimulate hair growth! You can also mix equal parts onion juice and rose water and spray directly on to your hair. Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Pineapple

Pineapples have a tough, thick skin that protects the fruit inside from harmful pesticides (think how hard it is to cut through the skin with a knife)! The good news is, this tough, spiny skin helps keep the fruit from absorbing agricultural chemicals.

When picking a pineapple, keep in mind that this is one fruit you don’t want if it has a strong, sweet smell. That usually means the pineapple is over ripe and has started to ferment. Instead, choose one that is firm with green fresh-looking leaves.

Betcha didn’t know: Pineapple can help save your vision! A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of pineapple per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the primary cause of vision loss in older folks – by 36% compared to people who consume less than 1.5 servings of the fruit per day.

Avocados

Avocados have some of the lowest pesticide residues around. Even though a pretty significant amount of chemicals can be used on avocado orchards, they just don’t make it into the inner fatty, delicious flesh that tastes so good. Like pineapples, avocados also have a rigid outer skin. You shuck off most pesticide residue simply by discarding the shell.

Betcha didn’t know: Avocados are the ultimate bad breath remedy! They help cleanse the intestines – which is the underlying cause of “coated tongue” and bad breath. What’s more, avocados are considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet because they contain over 25 essential nutrients – including vitamin A, B, C, E, K, cooper, iron, magnesium and more!

Coconut

Ever tried to crack open a coconut? Pretty tough, right? Well it’s equally as tough for pesticides and bugs to get through the shell. This thick outer layer is keeps the coconut “meat” fresh and safe to eat. It’s also what makes coconut water so pure! Best part: Several studies have looked for pesticide residues in coconut products and come up virtually empty handed. For example, in a 2008 study researchers were unable to detect any pesticide residues in crude coconut oil!

Betcha didn’t know: Coconut oil can help you lose weight! Coconuts contain special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Research has shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. A recent study published in the journal Lipids found that women who consumed 30ml (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil every day for 12 weeks not only did not gain weight – but actually had lower amounts of abdominal fat!

Cabbage

Cabbage is generally low in pesticides because of its natural resilience to bugs. Plus, Cabbage doesn’t require much help to grow, so not many chemicals are sprayed on these veggies. Keep in mind though, that the outer cabbage leaves tend to shield the inner leaves from most of the toxic sprays. Be sure to discard them if you’re not buying organic!

Betcha didn’t know: Cabbage is the ultimate headache reliever! Next time you have a headache, instead of reaching for ibuprofen, try a warm compress made with cabbage leaves. Crush cabbage leaves, place in a cloth, and apply on the forehead. Also, drink raw cabbage juice 1-2 oz. (25-50ml) daily for chronic headaches.

Quinoa

It’s a great source of vegetarian protein that’s loaded with nutritional benefits! What many people don’t know, is that this grain is low in pesticides. “People may use pesticides, but quinoa doesn’t need them, since it has a coating that contains bitter-tasting saponins, making the crop nearly impermeable to pests,” says Carolyn Dimitri, an associate professor of food studies at New York University, in New York City. Most quinoa manufacturers remove this coating before packaging – but it’s worth it to rinse thoroughly before cooking just to be sure.

Betcha didn’t know: Quinoa contains twice as much fiber as most other grains! Fiber helps relieve constipation (and may even lower your risk of hemorrhoids)… lowers cholesterol and glucose levels… and may even help you lose weight (you’ll feel full longer). And here’s another benefit: quinoa is gluten-free grain making it an excellent choice for people with celiac disease… gluten intolerance… or gluten sensitivity!

Mangoes

A thick skin protects this tasty fruit from harmful chemicals. But you’re not totally in the clear— be sure to wash the fruit carefully before eating! “,” says says Alex Formuzis, a spokesperson from the EWG.

Betcha didn’t know: Mangoes are great for treating skin blemishes and removing blackheads! Prepare a scrub by mixing a teaspoon of mango pulp, half a teaspoon of milk or milk powder and honey. Rub it all over your face in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. This will help in removing dead skin and blackheads – and leave your skin feeling refreshed and healthy!

Did you know that these foods were on the “safe” list?

For a list of foods that are worth buying organic check out the Dirty Dozen list published by the Environmental Waste Group (EWG).