The Controversial Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Buy Organic

It’s hip, it’s trendy, but it’s not necessarily better for you or better for the environment, and it’s certainly not better for your bank account! Buying Organic produce has long been touted as the better alternative, but a closer look at the facts may just prove otherwise:

You’re paying more than you should. Organic produce should certainly demand a premium given increased production costs, but whereas a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the cost of producing organic would require a 5-7% markup, on average, the markup on organic produce in stores is 29-32%.

Organic is no better for the environment. Thinking you’ll save the planet by buying organic? Think again. A 2010 study conducted by the University of Guelph found that some organic pesticides can actually have a worse environmental impacts than conventional ones. Additionally, most organic growing is done by large scale commercial growers who still emit plenty of greenhouse gases thanks to the machinery they use.

We’re not consuming enough pesticides for them to be a threat. A recent analysis in the Journal of Toxicology found that the levels of pesticides detected in the “Dirty Dozen” - a name given to the 12 fruits and vegetables that typically contain the most pesticides, all fell below the acceptable limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency. We’re not talking just below the limit here, we’re talking 1,000-or 30,000-fold under the legal limit in many cases.

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Water and Weight Loss

Some say it’s about cutting carbs, others argue it’s about favoring fats when it comes to weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight the debates around diets and eating habits are seemingly endless. Yet for all the trends there’s one very simple element to maintaining a healthy weight (not to mention a healthy lifestyle) that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: Water. Here are three simple ways to use water in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Drink more water, more often. It’s likely that between our busy lifestyles and our fast food choices that we don’t drink enough water anyway, but studies have shown that proper hydration can actually lead to weight loss by keeping us full, just in case you needed another reason to drink more water. Additionally, water can help break down fat cells and slightly increase metabolism.

Favor foods that are full of water. Fruits and vegetables with high water content make for filling snacks that pack fewer calories. As an added bonus they’re packed full of vitamins and minerals and the fiber from these healthy snacks helps improve digestion.

Substitute sodas. Sodas tend to be full of sugars, which are not only unnecessary calories but can be detrimental to overall health. The same, unfortunately, applies to most fruit juices which are artificially sweetened. Substituting water for these sugary beverages is not only the healthier choice, but it can also significantly reduce your calorie intake throughout the day.

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