Are Organic Foods Healthier?
Experts Say Fruits, Vegetables Good To Focus On
Updated: 2:45 pm CST November 19, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- People are increasingly adopting a more natural lifestyle by buying organic foods at the grocery store.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBut Lisa from Sun Prairie wanted to know whether organic foods are truly healthier. In this week's "Good Question," WISC-TV looked at if organic products live up to the hype.St. Mary's nutritionist Tammy Fumusa helped WISC-TV navigate through all the different organic options at a grocery store. She said that if consumers want to go organic, the fruits and veggies section should be the first stop in the store."There is so much pesticide on the vegetables used in farming," Fumusa said. "That would be one (area) that you'd want to try and go organic, if you could."It might be healthier, but it costs more. For example, WISC-TV found bell peppers for $4.49 per pound, while a single organic bell pepper cost $5.29.In the dairy section, Fumusa said the price difference is also significant. A gallon of organic milk is about double the cost of a regular gallon of milk."With milk, you don't necessarily need organic," Fumusa said. "What I want to clarify there is you want to make sure it doesn't have the growth hormone."Fumusa ranked meat third on her list for those considering going organic. Again, it's more expensive, but consumers are also eliminating any growth hormones.So, is organic worth all the hype. Fumusa said not completely."I know some people who really believe in it and really go by it," Fumusa said. "And that's great if they can afford that. But No. 1, I would say, would be the fruits and vegetables."Health experts said if consumers on the fence about organic, they should at least consider the "dirty dozen" -- or the 12 fruits and vegetables that are most susceptible to holding onto pesticides.The dirty dozen are: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportBut Lisa from Sun Prairie wanted to know whether organic foods are truly healthier. In this week's "Good Question," WISC-TV looked at if organic products live up to the hype.St. Mary's nutritionist Tammy Fumusa helped WISC-TV navigate through all the different organic options at a grocery store. She said that if consumers want to go organic, the fruits and veggies section should be the first stop in the store."There is so much pesticide on the vegetables used in farming," Fumusa said. "That would be one (area) that you'd want to try and go organic, if you could."It might be healthier, but it costs more. For example, WISC-TV found bell peppers for $4.49 per pound, while a single organic bell pepper cost $5.29.In the dairy section, Fumusa said the price difference is also significant. A gallon of organic milk is about double the cost of a regular gallon of milk."With milk, you don't necessarily need organic," Fumusa said. "What I want to clarify there is you want to make sure it doesn't have the growth hormone."Fumusa ranked meat third on her list for those considering going organic. Again, it's more expensive, but consumers are also eliminating any growth hormones.So, is organic worth all the hype. Fumusa said not completely."I know some people who really believe in it and really go by it," Fumusa said. "And that's great if they can afford that. But No. 1, I would say, would be the fruits and vegetables."Health experts said if consumers on the fence about organic, they should at least consider the "dirty dozen" -- or the 12 fruits and vegetables that are most susceptible to holding onto pesticides.The dirty dozen are: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
