While we would be willing to spend extra cash on organic food, some of them aren’t really worth it. Sometimes, the ‘organic’ sticker is more about marketing than a health benefit. With that, we’ve looked into 13 ‘organic’ foods to uncover that they’re a total waste of money. Who knows? Maybe the frozen ones are much better and cheaper than the following produce.
13. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are that one filling snack we grab when we’re straight on our health goals. Why not? They’re packed with vitamins and fiber, and they’re versatile, as you can prepare them either roasted or mashed. If you’re wondering if you need to opt for organic, then they have low pesticide residue based on the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean 15” list. Their tough skin is enough of a barrier against contaminants, and they don’t really absorb pesticides, unlike other produce.
12. Carrots
While root vegetables can absorb more pesticides from the soil, there’s a simpler and cheaper way to avoid them than opting for organic. Many pesticide residues on carrots are found on their peel. Just make sure to give your carrots a proper and enough peel before you consume them. This step makes them as safe as organic ones.
11. Eggplant
The beautiful glossy appearance of the eggplant is more than just the looks, as it’s a natural shield. Its tough exterior won’t make the pesticide flow on the inner flesh. You can save money by skipping the organic ones and heading straight to the regular produce, which catches no pesticides.
10. Cabbage
Skip the organic cabbage and just get your regular ones to save you some cash. Cabbage features a natural defense system due to its tightly packed layers of leaves. Each time you prepare cabbage, you usually peel the outer leaves where the pesticide residues lie. The inner leaves, on the other hand, are protected and free from pesticides.
9. Mushrooms
This fungus is a great addition to dishes and your diet, but you don’t really need those organic ones. Mushrooms have a unique growing process that doesn’t absorb pesticides in the way that some vegetables do. You’ll find very low pesticide residue in its body, so buying the regular ones will do.
8. Honeydew Melon
You don’t really need organic honeydew melon for dessert. Just opt for the regular ones to save your money. It has a thick, protective rind that pesticides can’t really enter. It has a natural barrier to keep the actual consumable part safe and clean. Buy them at a conventional price and serve them for dessert.
7. Kiwi
If you get your dose of vitamin C from kiwi, then you don’t really need its organic version. The kiwi’s fuzzy skin that you throw away is its natural barrier to protect the edible part. As you peel the skin, you’re also removing any potential pesticide residue. Yup, you get its nutritional benefits without spending too much.
6. Mangoes
Save money on your next mango purchase by skipping its organic version. Mangoes feature a thick, inedible skin that provides a strong defense against pesticides. You get to enjoy the sweet and juicy part as it remains safe and clean inside. You can even create smoothies or salsa without the fear of pesticide residue mixing.
5. Watermelon
Here’s another refreshing kind that doesn’t need an organic label. As the cousin of the honeydew melon, the watermelon also has a thick and tough rind that provides a natural barrier against pesticides. Its sweet and watery flesh remains protected and safe against residues, so there’s no need to opt for organic when it comes to watermelon.
4. Sweet Corn
Lessen the cost of your backyard barbecues by skipping the organic sweet corn. It has a thick husk that you can just peel away. It does an excellent job of protecting the kernels from pesticides. It’s one of the cleanest conventional foods you can buy, with less than 2% of samples showing detectable pesticides.
3. Onions
Remember how Shrek told Donkey that onions have layers? Well, it’s the layers that protect the inside against pesticides. From the outside alone, it already has a paper-like skin, and when you remove it, it leaves you with just the clean and crisp onion. Organic can cost you twice as much as the regular ones. This simple switch will help save you money.
2. Pineapple
Like any other produce on this list, the pineapple has a thick enough and spiky skin that’s comparable to armor. With that, it’s an excellent protection against pesticides. This means that the tangy fruit inside is safe and clean to consume since you get to peel away the hard stuff. Now, you can enjoy a sweet dessert without paying too much.
1. Avocados
Love it or hate it, skip the expensive organic variety. Avocados feature a thick and tough skin that can give a powerful natural defense against pesticides. Like the sweet corn, they also show less than 2% of samples with detectable pesticide residue. Also, organic avocados can cost up to 67% compared to the regular ones.