More than ever before, people are paying attention to what they eat. Years ago, few people knew the words organic, natural, free range or hormone free in respect to food. They just did not give it a second thought. Now, however, people are taking these words to the store and coming home with different products. What's more, people now want to find these words when they dine out. So, what's it all about, is it worth the price and do any restaurants actually serve this stuff? After all, aren't all foods organic?
In U.S.D.A terms, foods must meet certain criteria before they can wear the "USDA Organic" seal. It has more to do with manufacturing and production than anything else. To be organic, foods must contain no synthetic ingredients at all, including pesticides and fertilizer residues. A minimum of 95% of the ingredients must be organic or come from animals never receiving antibiotics or growth hormones. Foods labeled "Made with Organic Ingredients", however, may contain as little as 70% organic ingredients. The extra cost of the care needed to produce organic products is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices, but are the higher prices worth it? People are not sure.
At this point, there is no evidence that organic foods are superior in any way or that eating them will help you maintain better health. It seems to make sense, but even organic foods often travel long distances before you buy them and much of the organic benefit may be lost in transit. It may be a better choice to buy locally grown products that are handled less during the trip from field to table. Nonetheless, organic foods do have some benefits and scientists recommend buying organic when purchasing foods generally found to contain higher levels of pesticides when commercially produced. The fruits found to contain the highest level of pesticides are peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, raspberries and imported grapes. The vegetables found to contain the highest levels of pesticides are spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes and hot peppers. When choosing these foods, it is probably best to choose organically grown products. There are, however, many fruits and vegetables containing reduced levels of pesticides and do not warrant the extra cost of the organic price tag. The fruits found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelon, plums and kiwis. The vegetables found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli and onions. It is probably a good, money-saving idea to skip the organics when purchasing these foods. So, what about dining out?Well, you have to know that most restaurants see little difference in the foods they serve beyond the price from their suppliers. This is especially true when it comes to fruits and vegetables. There are, however, many good choices for organic dining in the Denver/Boulder area. Personally, I have never been able to taste the difference in organic products, but I still choose them when I can and when it is economically feasible. My favorite vegan, organic restaurant in Denver is still Watercourse, but there are many other good, organic restaurants in Boulder and many new entries into the market all the time. I want to try them all. As with any dietary choice, choosing organic comes down to personal needs and tastes. Whether or not you choose to eat organic is up to you, but knowing the facts always makes the decision easier.