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Fresh Picked
Organic Produce Packs a Nutritious Punch
By Donna Smith
It's no wonder fruits and vegetables are at the bottom of the Food Pyramid – they lay the foundation for healthy eating. A diet high in fruits and vegetables has been shown to prevent certain diseases and help boost the immune system. But the use of pesticides on crops is a concern, and the purchase of organic produce is on the rise.
Avocados, pears, bananas, apples, beets and herbs are just a few of the organic items Jacqueline M. Duda buys regularly for her family. This Monrovia, Md., mom says taste was an important factor in her decision to go organic. "Whether it's spinach or especially tomatoes, the fresh taste just can't be beat," Duda says. But the absence of pesticides tops her list. "When I buy organic, I can be assured that my family isn't ingesting chemical and pesticide residue," she says.
Hallie Williams, an organic fan from Canmer, Ky., agrees. "I've yet to see bug spray with a suggested amount to ingest daily," she says.
Because organic produce is grown without conventional pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, it is better for the environment and for children's growing bodies. "During fetal development, infancy and childhood, we are especially sensitive and susceptible to harm from these chemical residues because young bodies are small and still developing," says Melinda Hemmelgarn, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant, Food and Society Policy Fellow and "Food Sleuth" columnist for the Columbia Daily Tribune in Columbia, Mo.