With all of the hubbub about organic produce, the truth is that you don’t have to buy organic everything to eat healthfully. Organic growing methods make a big difference in some produce and virtually no difference in others. If you’re looking to save a little money, here are five vegetables that are safe and delicious when conventionally grown:
- Onions are a bulb vegetable and they absorb very little pesticide through the growing process. In addition, growing onions organically is very expensive, as their stalks are vulnerable to a wide variety of insects.
- Sweet corn is also very acceptable to purchase conventionally-grown. While there's a great deal of concern over genetically-modified corn in the open market, the majority of sweet corn is not GMO and can be consumed with confidence.
- Avocados are also a food that grows better under conventional techniques. The thick skin of the fruit prevents contamination from airborne pesticides, and considering that the vast majority of avocados are grown abroad it’s difficult to find affordable organic options.
- Sweet potatoes, unlike standard potatoes, are fine to eat conventionally-grown. The less starchy flesh is less likely to absorb toxins through the soil.
- Cabbage has thickly-packed leaves don’t hold pesticides and chemicals like lettuces do.