Take a look below at what it means for you, and your wellbeing, when you go organic.

Have you ever plucked an organic broccoli from the veg aisle, only to trade it in for a cheaper, non-organic alternative?

If you have done this, then you’re with the majority; many of us shop with money on our minds, eager to turn out a cheap trolley run.

But – and hear me out on this – have you ever wondered what price you’re truly paying for your cheap produce? What can an organic broccoli give you, which a 40p cheaper alternative cannot? The answer is simple: nutrition.

Take a look below at what it means for you, and your wellbeing, when you go organic.

Why are most foods non-organic?

First and foremost, non-organic food is any food which is not labelled as “organic”.

Unfortunately, the default setting amongst commercial farmers and food companies is non-organic produce. This means most of the items on our supermarket’s shelves are toxic-laden, pesticide-riddled and antibiotic-doused.

Farmers tend to spray their crops with pesticides for three reasons: to kill weeds, kill insects, and to cull any crop diseases. This then helps the farmers to produce greater yields, and thus reap greater profit.

And while you could argue it is better for food production that our crops are controlled in such a way, there is plenty of debate arguing that notion. The main reason? Health.

Why is non-organic food bad?

The effect on us

Pesticides, herbicides, antimicrobials, and petrochemicals are sprayed on our lovely vegetable and grain crops everyday. This mean, rather than fresh food, we are frequently offered genetically modified food which harbour a whole host of heavy metals, antibiotics and highly toxic substances. Leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach are particularly notorious for harbouring traces of E.coli and Salmonella on their skins. For more information on which crops simply must be bought organically, take a look at EWG.

Oh, and when all our delicious crops are poisoned by chemicals, these chemicals then gradually mix with soil and rainwater meaning, not before long, the water from our kitchen sinks subsequently gets polluted.

And don’t forget how much our bodies are so not okay with these chemicals; ADHD, diabetes, IBS, and some cancers have been linked to pesticide overexposure.

The effect on the environment

While the nasty pesticides pollute our water systems, so too does it affect wildlife and their drinking water. Their homesteads, once harmonious, are now poisoning them. The plant life they once relied on for sustenance is now destroyed.

And as a direct result of pesticide leaks in the soil, high amounts of carbon are stored in non-organic soil, contributing further to mounting greenhouse gases.

For us, animals, and the environment, it’s certainly scary stuff. Worst of all, it’s scary stuff that could be avoided.

Will washing my food remove pesticides?

Probable yes, but only for some.

Non-organic plant life will absorb pesticides in their roots, sucking up the dirty antibodies even before they fruit. This means, no matter how hard you scrub, you will still be served a fresh dose of heavy metals when you sit down for your lovingly-prepared evening meal. Expect plenty of cadmium and mercury if you eat enough of your non-organic produce too – yum yum, eat up!

What are the benefits of organic?

Organic produce is food which has not been treated with such harsh chemical engineering, and thus the food is more nutritious overall.

No artificial food colour or preservatives, or hydrogenated fats are permitted, either.

Over 75 per cent more wildlife is likely to thrive than through non-organic farming.

Fresh water and healthy soil remains in abundance, unfettered by cruel farming techniques. This means we have greater, more fruitful soil for years to come. It is not simply a “get rich quick” scheme which leaves barren wasteland in our wake.

What can you do?

Organic produce does come at a higher price, but this is purely due to prices being lowered once pesticide use proliferated.

Think about why you choose to cook your own meals from scratch, rather than shooting off to McDonald’s. Or why ready meals truly do chill you to the bone. The reasoning is the same for organic food; it is supremely nourishing, meaning yes, you do have to pay more than the bog standard.

If you started eating organic today, you could join the sea of change which is already flowing wonderfully. If we all became organic consumers in the UK, collectively we could see pesticide use drop by a mind-boggling 98 per cent. That is astronomical! Best of all, it’s an achievable change.

Now, how does that 80p organic broccoli sound?