Eating Healthy on a Budget: How I Did a Whole Food Shopping Trip for Less Than $50

The organic food trend has been on the rise for a while now, and for good reason. Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals. They are also free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are often considered to be more nutritious than conventionally grown produce. However, organic food can be more expensive than conventional food, which is why many people wonder whether it's necessary to buy everything organic.

Today, I went to BJs and picked up a few basic staples. Out of the 11 items I bought, 4 items were not organic. While I usually try to buy as much organic food as possible, I don't stress too much about it if I can't find everything I need in the organic section. My personal philosophy is that if more than half of my diet is organic, then buying conventional at the moment is okay.

There are some foods that are more important to buy organic than others. These are known as the "dirty dozen" and include fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. The dirty dozen include strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, and potatoes. If you can't find these items in the organic section, it's best to avoid them altogether or buy them from a local farmer's market where you can ask about their growing practices.

On the other hand, there are some foods that are less important to buy organic. These are known as the "clean fifteen" and include foods that have the lowest levels of pesticide residues. The clean fifteen include avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, onions, papayas, frozen sweet peas, eggplant, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi, cauliflower, mushrooms, honeydew melon, and cantaloupe. If you can't find these items in the organic section, it's okay to buy them conventionally.

It's important to note that while organic food is beneficial for our health and the environment, it's not always accessible to everyone. Buying organic can also be more expensive, which can be a barrier for some people. If you're on a budget or can't find everything you need in the organic section, don't stress too much about it. Try to buy organic when you can, and focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.