Do you think organic foods are really worth the extra money? Especially fruits and vegetables.
Organic Food?!
Good question! I sometimes wonder about it. If you buy at Safeways and you go to the organic side, most of what is on offer is pretty much shrivelled up and look pathetic. With double the price. But if you go to the Capers health store, and check out their Thursday evening Farmers fair, you can get fresh organic produce that does look the way it should. There is fresh organic, and not so fresh organic. And then one also has to trust that organic is organic. How does one always know?
what are "organic" food?, hearing this term for the first time, can you please detail it out...
If I am not mistaken organic food is produce grown without the use of any pesticides or other chemicals. It's supposed to be "All Natural".
Definitely. Most organic food just tastes better -- and it's definitely nice knowing that no pesticides are used. But, it's sometimes difficult for me as a poor college student to buy much organic food. 
It sucks that unless you have the money, you're stuck eating the cheap/shi**y things.
It sucks that unless you have the money, you're stuck eating the cheap/shi**y things.The vegetables out of my garden sure taste good. Cost less as well.
| Vrythramax wrote: |
| If I am not mistaken organic food is produce grown without the use of any pesticides or other chemicals. It's supposed to be "All Natural". |
| missdixy wrote: |
| Definitely. Most organic food just tastes better -- and it's definitely nice knowing that no pesticides are used. But, it's sometimes difficult for me as a poor college student to buy much organic food. It sucks that unless you have the money, you're stuck eating the cheap/shi**y things. |
Well, I think that it's worth some extra money. I try to buy as much as I can. But sometimes, the price is so high that it's not really interesting.
The thing about organic food is that it costs more because they get less yield without the use of pesticides or chemicals. It also has a greatly reduced shelf life, that's why at some stores like safeway, it looks so raunchy, it's been on the shelf a bit too long!
I know it is a higher price to buy and eat it, but if we don't support the organic food producers they will go out of business, or convert to conventional methods to stay in business, and we won't have a choice for Organic any longer. I know when you are on a budget it is hard to justify the increased cost, but consider this, is your health worth the savings?
I know it is a higher price to buy and eat it, but if we don't support the organic food producers they will go out of business, or convert to conventional methods to stay in business, and we won't have a choice for Organic any longer. I know when you are on a budget it is hard to justify the increased cost, but consider this, is your health worth the savings?
This is a good question. First of all how do we know something is organic if it claimed to by the seller or packaging? I do not want to pay double for something that is the same as all other non-organic products, because it has a label that says organic. The other thing to consider is this: is there any noticeable difference in organic products. I know with fresh produce the flavor is more often better. What about other products that are made from organic goods? If the flavor is the same and we never suffer from the affects of the "poisons" used to preserve the goods, why should we pay double?
I've never cared enough to buy organic products; I look at the price and say "I'm not going to pay that price". I know some things are healthier for you such as free-running chickens, but for other things I don't think it matters.
I've never cared enough to buy organic products; I look at the price and say "I'm not going to pay that price". I know some things are healthier for you such as free-running chickens, but for other things I don't think it matters.
I really don't think that organic foods are worth all the hype. Most pesticides and such that we use haven't been proven to do any harm. And the use of pesticides and genetic engineering to grow more crops faster is a great idea because then we have surpluses. Having too much food is better than not enough.
The same thing with "Organic" meats. The only difference between free-range chickens and regular chicks is regular chickens are in cages with free-range are not, and the only real benefit that you get from that is the free-range are leaner, which you really only NEED if you are on a diet.
Besides, if you are used to eating normal foods, then you are probably not going to like that "Organic" crap.
-Nick
The same thing with "Organic" meats. The only difference between free-range chickens and regular chicks is regular chickens are in cages with free-range are not, and the only real benefit that you get from that is the free-range are leaner, which you really only NEED if you are on a diet.
Besides, if you are used to eating normal foods, then you are probably not going to like that "Organic" crap.
-Nick
| polly-gone wrote: |
| I really don't think that organic foods are worth all the hype. Most pesticides and such that we use haven't been proven to do any harm. |
| deanhills wrote: | ||
|
Do you guys have any serious scientific study that states that there's no risk???
I've read several serious studies that mention neurological problems with babies related to pesticides... read this short study : http://www.asehaqld.org.au/?q=node/101
Well, before you eat a fruit or vegetable you are always supposed to wash it. But it does not harm to the food, so once its gone, you are fine. If the pesticides did any harm, the FDA would remove them from the market like they have done for many, many things.
-Nick
-Nick
Where I live you can get organic veggies for really really cheap, at the Farmer's Market. It's all really delicious and you get to meet nice people. Totally worth the trip. 
OH and the thing with non-organics is not just what they do for your health personally, but what it does to the environment. BUT I don't know if buying organic food from the supermarket is the solution because then you've still got all the other problems inherent to factory farming. So I like growing my own and buying from others who grow their own. Kind of reminds you that food comes from the ground, not from the grocery.
OH and the thing with non-organics is not just what they do for your health personally, but what it does to the environment. BUT I don't know if buying organic food from the supermarket is the solution because then you've still got all the other problems inherent to factory farming. So I like growing my own and buying from others who grow their own. Kind of reminds you that food comes from the ground, not from the grocery.
Somehow I just don't think it's worth the extra money. I mean, how do we know for a fact what they say is organic really is organic? We just have to believe them? Sorry but it's a bit iffy. Anyway, there's probably not much difference between "organic" and "non-organic" I'm sure. Other than taste maybe. And cost. lol.
We (my family) always buy the regular stuff, and we've never gotten sick.
We (my family) always buy the regular stuff, and we've never gotten sick.
| SpellcasterDX wrote: |
| Somehow I just don't think it's worth the extra money. I mean, how do we know for a fact what they say is organic really is organic? We just have to believe them? Sorry but it's a bit iffy. Anyway, there's probably not much difference between "organic" and "non-organic" I'm sure. Other than taste maybe. And cost. lol. |
There are actually really strict guidelines about what can be labeled "organic" and apparently people come and inspect the farms to make sure they meet those guidelines. Which is why most of the organic veggies I eat aren't actually "certified organic", because it's way too expensive for small farmers. haha But yeah, if something is "certified organic" then somebody out there is actually checking up on it and making sure it's up to standards. That's why those foods are more expensive.
EDIT: Err. One of the reasons they're expensive anyway. You know the rest.
If it wasn't so expensive, I'd definitely exclusively buy organic food. I like it better, and it makes me feel better eating it 
This may be a stupid question, but if I don't ask I'll never know...what exactly is the difference between "free range" chickens and the caged variety? I know one is allowed to roam around before becoming dinner (a furlough?) and the other is kept caged up (disciplinary action?), but how does this effect the taste, or how good/bad it is for you?
Don't both taste just like chicken?
Don't both taste just like chicken?
If possible I'd grow my own veggies and stuff. Cause I like home gardening.
In my experience when I get the chemically treated veggies they don't last long, if I forget them in the bag I bring them home in sometimes greens and stuff melt
In my experience when I get the chemically treated veggies they don't last long, if I forget them in the bag I bring them home in sometimes greens and stuff melt
| missdixy wrote: |
| Definitely. Most organic food just tastes better -- and it's definitely nice knowing that no pesticides are used. But, it's sometimes difficult for me as a poor college student to buy much organic food. It sucks that unless you have the money, you're stuck eating the cheap/shi**y things. |
Its not always true...I worked in the laboratory of a dairy for a few years before resigning, and we packed "standard" milk as well as "organic" and "biodynamic" milks. The only difference from the standard milks is that the farms werent allowed to have pesticides ,etc on them, but the Milk in the packaging/processing side of things was treated EXACTLY the same (with the exception that Organic milk was not Homogonoised) and it had to be pasteurized and packed first before standard Milk to avoid "contamination". a major part of my job besides Micro and Chemical testing was taste testing, and to my trained pallet, Organic milk and Standard Milk taste exactly the same...so dont be fooled into thinking that organic always tastes better because its not always the case....
| polly-gone wrote: |
| Well, before you eat a fruit or vegetable you are always supposed to wash it. But it does not harm to the food, so once its gone, you are fine. If the pesticides did any harm, the FDA would remove them from the market like they have done for many, many things.
-Nick |
| Vrythramax wrote: |
| This may be a stupid question, but if I don't ask I'll never know...what exactly is the difference between "free range" chickens and the caged variety? I know one is allowed to roam around before becoming dinner (a furlough?) and the other is kept caged up (disciplinary action?), but how does this effect the taste, or how good/bad it is for you?
Don't both taste just like chicken? |
I think that Organic food is generally better tasting and healthier but its not good enough for me to pay double at the time.
It seems that some foods start with a chunk of flavor and the larger the food gets the less flavor per bite. I have noticed that radishes that are very large have less flavor than homegrown small ones so I think that the plant chemicals to get strawberries to the size of apples makes them less flavorful but then it takes less to fill there crates and more profit for them.
I guess you get what you pay for, however I prefer a large quantity over a little higher quality so I get the non organic.
Vrythramax, in answer to your question, Free Range chickens generally have less fat as they can run around and generally aren't fed as much food that just makes them weigh more quicker.
Also if you buy a normal chicken it has a flavor injected into it that has very interesting taste, but if you buy a free running chicken from a small farm then it is just plain chicken taste and not as oily.
It seems that some foods start with a chunk of flavor and the larger the food gets the less flavor per bite. I have noticed that radishes that are very large have less flavor than homegrown small ones so I think that the plant chemicals to get strawberries to the size of apples makes them less flavorful but then it takes less to fill there crates and more profit for them.
I guess you get what you pay for, however I prefer a large quantity over a little higher quality so I get the non organic.
Vrythramax, in answer to your question, Free Range chickens generally have less fat as they can run around and generally aren't fed as much food that just makes them weigh more quicker.
Also if you buy a normal chicken it has a flavor injected into it that has very interesting taste, but if you buy a free running chicken from a small farm then it is just plain chicken taste and not as oily.
| Ghost900 wrote: |
|
Also if you buy a normal chicken it has a flavor injected into it that has very interesting taste, but if you buy a free running chicken from a small farm then it is just plain chicken taste and not as oily. |
http://www.hurryburry.com/broilers.htm
moved, this forum is for food stuff
this is an interesting topic, good job on starting it. I personally haven't tried to eat organic foods regularly, because currently I don't have kitchen in my rented room , so I just eat outside everyday. But I'll definitely try it once I get any cooking space. This "organic food" things are pretty popular here (Taipei), and they're always associated with health, but sometimes I wonder too if it's significant enough to justify the price.
, so I just eat outside everyday. But I'll definitely try it once I get any cooking space. This "organic food" things are pretty popular here (Taipei), and they're always associated with health, but sometimes I wonder too if it's significant enough to justify the price.| deanhills wrote: |
| I did not know this. Do you know whether anything else is injected as well? Sounds gross! Just googled it and found that they get injected with lots of anti-biotics as well, since too many birds together is a risk for all kinds of diseases. The article below gives more information about chickens that are harvested in cages vs the free-range kind:
http://www.hurryburry.com/broilers.htm |
Many animals that are raised just as a food product are treated with different chemicals over the course of their lives, I imagine that some of those chemicals must effect the flavor of the meat over time.
I guess I am so used to it by now it just bother me...if you put one of those free range roasted goodies on my plate I'd more than likely send it back because it tasted funny.
| Vrythramax wrote: |
| I guess I am so used to it by now it just bother me...if you put one of those free range roasted goodies on my plate I'd more than likely send it back because it tasted funny. |
You're right, and it won't taste oily enough either. I wonder how much of chicken I taste however, as I very rarely eat it on its own, usually always as part of some or other stew and soup, or my favourite coconut based Thai dish. | deanhills wrote: |
| You're right, and it won't taste oily enough either. I wonder how much of chicken I taste however, as I very rarely eat it on its own, usually always as part of some or other stew and soup, or my favourite coconut based Thai dish. |
That just brings us full circle back to the old question..."If chicken tastes like everything else, how do we really know what chicken tastes like?" I still find this whole organic thing amusing though....I mean, we eat so much garbage everyday in the form of chemicals and preservatives, I can't really get too worked up over if my dinner was able to run around free, ate all the right foods, worked out 4 times a week, lived a good life, and took care of it's Mom...before it was arbitrarily killed so I can survive.
And just for the record, I DO believe in animal rights...they have the right to remain tasty, if they give up the right to remain tasty they can and will be drowned in gravy.
Yes I do.
We can't afford to continue harming our ecosystem using pesticides, we need to adopt farming techniques that work in harmony with the environment.
We can't afford to continue harming our ecosystem using pesticides, we need to adopt farming techniques that work in harmony with the environment.
| nobaloney wrote: |
| Yes I do.
We can't afford to continue harming our ecosystem using pesticides, we need to adopt farming techniques that work in harmony with the environment. |
So you're a farmer? What farming techniques do you use?
I agree with nobaloney. Even if organic foods were no safer or more nutritious (and there is evidence that they are) than regular foods, they still rely on BUILDING the soil in a natural way rather than adding artificial fertilizers into soil that otherwise wouldn't be very good for farming. Sure, you get plants growing with that method, but it damages the soil until you really can't grow much in it, regardless of what you dump on it. Topsoil depletion is recognized as a very big serious problem even by conservative authorities. Look it up! Organic farming won't work if they deplete the soil, so it is all about making the earth very healthy with methods like green manure, crop rotation etc.
Also, organics strictly prohibit the use of pesticide chemicals and genetically modified organisms (most of whom rely heavily on pesticide use). This is a very good thing, because currently, our world is getting poisoned by these very toxic compounds. Even in the Arctic ocean, far far away from most farms, scientists have found extremely high levels of poisons in the bodies of whales, seals and bears. It's also high in fish and other stuff... so if you buy a product that didn't use any pesticides at all, you're supporting a method of farming that doesn't pollute the world.
I think it is worth the extra price, and when I go to an organic wholesaler for staples, it is actually cheaper than normal stuff in the grocery for a lot of items. I try to grow a little of my own food in a garden and also buy from local farmers who grow organic at the market. It isn't too much trouble really. Tastes better and seems like a positive approach to eating.
Also, organics strictly prohibit the use of pesticide chemicals and genetically modified organisms (most of whom rely heavily on pesticide use). This is a very good thing, because currently, our world is getting poisoned by these very toxic compounds. Even in the Arctic ocean, far far away from most farms, scientists have found extremely high levels of poisons in the bodies of whales, seals and bears. It's also high in fish and other stuff... so if you buy a product that didn't use any pesticides at all, you're supporting a method of farming that doesn't pollute the world.
I think it is worth the extra price, and when I go to an organic wholesaler for staples, it is actually cheaper than normal stuff in the grocery for a lot of items. I try to grow a little of my own food in a garden and also buy from local farmers who grow organic at the market. It isn't too much trouble really. Tastes better and seems like a positive approach to eating.
| peaceupnorth wrote: |
| I think it is worth the extra price, and when I go to an organic wholesaler for staples, it is actually cheaper than normal stuff in the grocery for a lot of items. I try to grow a little of my own food in a garden and also buy from local farmers who grow organic at the market. It isn't too much trouble really. Tastes better and seems like a positive approach to eating. |
| Libby wrote: |
| So you're a farmer? What farming techniques do you use? |
I think farming techniques is a topic best suited to another thread/topic.
no its not worth it.... the show Bu*lSh*t on showtime did a episode on organtic food you people should watch it
you people should watch it Bullshit isn't the most unbiased of information sources... I mean, they go into it trying to prove whatever it is wrong, so of course that's the sort of evidence they're going to find and present to the viewer. Not that it isn't good entertainment!!
A lot of "organic" or "natural" food is definitely a waste of money, especially the pre-packaged, ultra-processed stuff. But I really don't think you can go wrong with buying more local, organic produce.
A lot of "organic" or "natural" food is definitely a waste of money, especially the pre-packaged, ultra-processed stuff. But I really don't think you can go wrong with buying more local, organic produce.
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