by Dr. Charles Alonzo Peters
Sometimes the more expensive option is the better choice. Yes, we may frown at the high prices of organic produce. That is, until we realize that much of the food we consume contains pesticides. Many of these pesticide residues remain, even after washing and peeling.
The EPA warns that children may be especially susceptible to pesticides because their internal organs are still maturing. Even small levels of pesticides may have long term effects.
Particularly vulnerable are young nervous systems. Three recent independent studies discovered that pregnant women exposed to high levels of certain pesticides gave birth to children who displayed lower IQs by time they entered elementary school.
Unfortunately, US pesticide regulations are often less stringent than those found in many other parts of the world. According to the Pesticide Action Network , the average American child consumes 5+ servings of pesticide residues in their food and water each day.
Pregnant women and young children benefit from organic fruits and vegetables because US certified organic produce cannot be farmed with most synthetic pesticides. A University of Washington study found that the levels of pesticides in the urine of children decreased after these children were placed on an organic diet. The researchers also discovered that children eating a generally organic diet had one-sixth the amount of pesticides in their urine than children consuming a regular diet.
Yet, as many of us know, organic produce is much more expensive and can put the squeeze on limited budgets. What can we do to protect our children in tough economic times?
Many Americans are turning to growing fruits and vegetables in their own gardens. The National Gardening Association estimates the number of American families using all-natural fertilizer, insect, and weed controls grew from 5 million in 2004 to 12 million by 2008. Even in urban areas, people are growing vegetables and fruits in small pots, containers, and boxes, – a practice known as container gardening.
But even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still consider Community Supported Agriculture as another option. CSA, as it’s known, allows consumers to buy a “share” of a local farmer’s crop. Each week, during the farming season, customers receive a box of organic produce from the farmer. Even residents of large metropolitan areas are taking advantage of CSA’s. To find out more, visit localharvest.org.
A final option for the budget strapped family who doesn’t want to put their children in harm’s way may be to just purchase fruits and vegetables containing only the lowest levels of residual pesticides. Luckily, the non-profit Environmental Working Group has created a ranking of the pesticide loads of 43 commonly purchased fruits and vegetables. This ranking is based on 51,000 tests collected by the USDA and FDA between 2000 and 2005.
Amazingly, apples, celery and lettuce were among the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues. In these cases, it makes sense to buy the organic counterparts. Onions, pineapples, and mangoes had some of the lowest levels of residual pesticides.
You can view the full Environmental Working Group ranking of fruits and vegetables at www.foodnews.org.
It’s often said, we are what we eat. And for too many of us, eating pesticide laden foods may have serious health consequences.
BMWK, do you actively try to eat organic foods? What are some of the ways that you go organic on a budget? Have you taken up gardening or experienced using a CSA?