Go Green or Bust? when to Buy Organic

By Leslie Goldman

Pesticides, parabens, phthalates, oh my! You know you should go green, but living eco-friendly 24/7 can be pretty rough on your wallet. (Little known fact: "Organic" is Latin for "expensive.") The truth is, while there are a few arenas in life where you should shell out for the greenest label possible (spinach, we're looking at you!), there are also products you can safely skip. Read on and let us navigate you through the eco-green waters.

Related: 8 Easy Ways to Green Your Fitness Routine

Unpeelable Produce
Verdict: Go green
Fruits and veggies that can't be peeled (or where you usually eat the skin) are typically coated with insect repellants -- the USDA has found 28 pesticides on conventionally grown potatoes, 39 on strawberries, and 48 on grapes and apples. Unfortunately, the substances that keep bugs off your berries have been linked to cancer, lung disease, birth defects, reproductive problems, and more, so opt organic when purchasing leafy greens, apples, potatoes, and the like; they're grown with nonsynthetic pest controls. (Always be sure to avoid the Dirty Dozen -- the most pesticide-laden fruits and veggies.)

Can't afford organic produce? Try this make-your-own wash, from Jackie Newgent, RD, author of Big Green Cookbook: Mix 1 cup each water and white distilled vinegar, 2 teaspoons each fresh lemon juice and baking soda. (Foaming may occur.) Spray and scrub with a produce brush, then rinse to shower off some pesticide residue.

You can also try shopping your local farmers' market for hidden organic gems. "Many farmers follow environmentally friendly practices but haven't completed the certification process to be considered officially organic," says Newgent. Just ask Farmer Bill if he uses chemical pesticides -- you might snag an undercover eco-friendly deal!

Produce with a Thick Peel or Rind
Verdict: Be mainstream
The Environmental Working Group, who created the Dirty Dozen list, have also ID'd the Clean 15: the fruits and vegetables least likely to have pesticide residues. When it comes to onions, avocado, asparagus, eggplant, mangoes, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and more, you can feel good about skipping the organic label and saving some dough.

Animal Products
Verdict: Go green
Pick your protein wisely. Organically raised cows, chickens, and pigs are not given antibiotics (which may pave the way to drug-resistance in humans), their feed has not been genetically tweaked, and they may be treated in a more humane way, says Newgent. (Interestingly, chickens and cows raised in the U.S. are never given hormones, rendering a "hormone-free" label relatively meaningless.) Besides protecting yourself from potential superbugs, you might be sparing your waistline: Organic meat is brimming with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), thought to promote weight loss and lessen your risk of cancer and heart disease; organic milk may contain higher amounts of health-promoting nutrients like beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids, along with CLA.

Related: 10 Vegetarian Meals to Make for Meatless Mondays

Beans
Verdict: Be mainstream
If organic meat and chicken are too pricey, Newgent suggests veering toward a plant-based diet; nonorganic beans are way cheap, offering excellent protein and fiber bang for your buck -- two things most women don't get enough of. Buy them in a bag and soak them yourself to avoid a toxic chemical called Bisphenol A, or BPA, found in some can linings and linked to everything from cancer to infertility. (Or try beans from Eden Foods and Amy's Kitchen -- both brands use BPA-free cans.)

Beauty Products
Verdict: It depends
Think of your skin as a big, cozy blanket: If you spill some liquid on it, it's going to soak in. That's why more consumers are looking at organic beauty products, says Sarah Kasprowicz, MD, a dermatologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois. "But in reality, there aren't a lot of USDA-certified organic skin or hair care lines; it's a challenge to come up with purely organic products due to shelf-life and stability issues." A more feasible option: "Natural" beauty products that don't contain parabens (preservatives that have been linked to cancer) or chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol, which have been shown to irritate skin.

Countertop Cleaners
Verdict: Go green
Besides releasing irritating chemicals like formaldehyde and chlorine into the air where they'll be inhaled, chances are your food will at some point touch these surfaces (a pineapple chunk falls off your fork en route from plate to mouth; you pick it up and eat it), making it worthwhile to be vigilant about ingredients, says Sophie Uliano author of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life. Look for the green and white USDA Organic Seal or products that use nontoxic ingredients, like Method or Safeway's Bright Green line.

Air Fresheners
Verdict: DIY green
Traditional air fresheners contain a plethora of toxic chemicals, including neurotoxic phthalates. Uliano says you can skip the pricey eco-friendly air fresheners and candles and rely on pure essential oils: Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to an aromatherapy diffuser.

Related: Baby Products to Buy Organic

Clothing
Verdict: Be mainstream (just shop smart!)
Is "Does this shirt make me look earth-friendly?" the new "Do these pants make my butt look big?" When it comes to clothing, an "organic" label means it was made out of cotton or wool that was not sprayed with pesticides or fungicides. "But a good spin through the washing machine will remove most of the residue, so if you're worried about nasty chemicals rubbing onto your skin, you can safely shop conventional and just clean the outfit thoroughly before wearing," Uliano says. That's what Robin Immerman Gruen, 35, of Chicago, does: "When it comes to shopping organic, clothing is one area where I don't freak out too much. I figure if I wash the outfit before I wear it, it shouldn't cause too much trouble. I'm more likely to spend my money on organic fruits where you eat the outside peel, like apples, or with eco-friendly countertop spray to keep my child's high chair clean."

More concerned about what Mother Earth will be wearing in 10 years? Patronize stores that sell sustainable clothing made from recycled fibers, like Patagonia and American Apparel. "You'll make a powerful impact on the environment without leaving the store feeling cash-strapped," Uliano promises. Still nervous? H&M and Wal-Mart sell affordable organic options.

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