A Guide to Eating Organic: What to Know & Why It’s (Mostly) Worth It

I used to think organic food was a scam. There—I said it.

Back when I was a nurse, juggling newborns in the NICU and my own five babies at home, I’d roll my eyes at the organic labels in the grocery store. Double the price? For what—fancy marketing and a little extra dirt on the carrots? No, thanks.

But then I started homesteading. I learned about soil health, pesticides, and the shocking reality of what goes into conventional food production. I dug deep (sometimes literally, in my own garden), and what I found made me rethink everything I thought I knew about food. Now? I wouldn’t dream of going back.

But let’s be real—eating organic can be confusing, expensive, and sometimes downright frustrating. Which foods really need to be organic? Is organic junk food still junk? What about those pesky loopholes? In this Guide to Eating Organic, let’s break it all down so you can make informed choices without blowing your grocery budget or losing your sanity.

What Does “Organic” Actually Mean?

The word organic gets thrown around a lot, but legally speaking, it means food produced without:

✔ Synthetic pesticides (with some exceptions—more on that later)

✔ Artificial fertilizers

✔ Genetic modification (GMOs)

✔ Sewage sludge (yes, this is a thing in conventional farming—gag)

✔ Ionizing radiation (because nothing says fresh like a little radiation treatment, right?)

For meat, dairy, and eggs, it also means:

✔ No antibiotics or added hormones

✔ Animals must be given organic feed

✔ They must have access to the outdoors (though how much is debatable)

It’s not perfect, but it’s leaps and bounds better than conventional.

Do You Really Need to Buy Everything Organic?

Nope! Some foods matter way more than others. Here’s where you should prioritize organic:

BUY ORGANIC: The “Dirty Dozen” (Highest Pesticide Residue)

These fruits and veggies are pesticide sponges. If you’re only buying a few things organic, let it be these:

• Strawberries

• Spinach

• Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

• Grapes

• Peaches

• Cherries

• Pears

• Apples

• Bell & Hot Peppers

• Celery

• Tomatoes

• Nectarines

I used to love picking up a juicy conventional apple for a snack—until I learned apples are among the most pesticide-laden fruits. They’re often sprayed post-harvest too, so no amount of washing gets that stuff off.

Carrots from my garden

These have thick skins or naturally low pesticide absorption, so organic isn’t as crucial:

• Avocados

• Sweet Corn (Non-GMO verified!)

• Pineapple

• Onions

• Papaya (Non-GMO verified!)

• Sweet Peas (Frozen)

• Asparagus

• Honeydew Melon

• Kiwi

• Cabbage

• Mushrooms

• Mangoes

• Watermelon

• Sweet Potatoes

• Carrots

Let’s just take a moment to thank avocados for being on the Clean Fifteen—because if I had to give up guacamole, I’d riot.

Organic Processed Foods: Are They Healthier?

Here’s the deal: 

organic Oreos are still Oreos

. Organic chips are still chips. Slapping an organic label on junk food doesn’t magically make it nourishing. But it does mean you’re avoiding some of the worst additives found in conventional processed foods:

✔ No artificial dyes (goodbye, neon blue cereal!)

✔ No artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, ace-K—yikes)

✔ No artificial preservatives

✔ No artificial flavorings

✔ No high fructose corn syrup

✔ No hydrogenated oils (aka trans fats)

✔ No BHT/BHA (linked to hormone disruption)

✔ No GMOs (watch out for corn, sugar, soy, canola, and cotton)

✔ No glyphosate-sprayed crops (glyphosate = Roundup, which = not something I want in my Cheerios)

✔ No added hormones or antibiotics

✔ No ionizing radiation

✔ Follows organic herbicide/pesticide rules

So yes, organic processed foods are better—but they’re still processed. If you’re looking for true health benefits, focus on whole organic foods.

Wait… Aren’t Some Pesticides Still Allowed in Organic Farming?

Yep. Organic farming isn’t pesticide-free, despite what some people think. But there’s a key difference:

🔹 Conventional farming allows 900+ synthetic chemicals.

🔹 Organic farming allows about 40-50, only if:

• They aren’t harmful to human health or the environment.

• There’s no natural or organic alternative (e.g., copper for fungal control).

• Farmers prove they’ve exhausted all other options before using them.

That’s a big difference. While organic isn’t 100% chemical-free, it’s far cleaner and much more regulated.

Is Eating Organic Really Worth the Cost?

I get it—organic can be pricey. My grocery bill was 

painful

 when I first switched. But here’s what I found:

• Prioritizing the Dirty Dozen helped me cut costs without sacrificing safety.

• Buying in bulk (flour, beans, rice, nuts) made organic affordable.

• Local farms & farmers’ markets often had better prices than grocery stores.

• Growing my own food (even just herbs & greens) made a huge difference.

And honestly? The health benefits are worth it. I used to struggle with chronic fatigue and skin issues—both improved when I cut out processed junk and switched to whole, organic foods. My kids’ digestion and focus improved too. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’m not willing to go back to find out.

Tips for Eating Organic on a Budget

If you want to go organic without selling a kidney, here’s what works:

✅ Buy seasonal & local – Organic strawberries are way cheaper in the summer.

✅ Shop store brands – Costco, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s have great organic options.

✅ Use the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen list – Prioritize where it matters most.

✅ Join a CSA or co-op – Bulk organic produce for a fraction of the price.

✅ Freeze & preserve – Stock up when organic produce is cheap and freeze it.

✅ Grow your own – Even a small herb garden saves money.

Final Thoughts: Is Organic Food a Scam?

Nope—but I get why people think that. I was one of them.

It’s easy to assume it’s all just marketing hype, especially when you see organic junk food or overpriced produce. But the reality is, organic food is cleaner, safer, and better for both our health and the environment. Is it perfect? No. But is it better than the chemical-laden alternative? Absolutely.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the world of organic, start small. Swap out your apples and strawberries. Buy organic eggs. Cook from scratch when you can. And remember—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about making the best choices you can for your health, your family, and the planet.

And if nothing else, just know that when you bite into an organic strawberry, you’re not also ingesting a cocktail of pesticides. That alone is worth it.

What about you? Do you buy organic, or do you think it’s overrated? Let’s chat in the comments!

Want to start growing your own food and get rid of all the chemicals in your diet? Check out how to grow your own tomatoes and how to grow your own strawberries. These are on the dirty dozen list, so they are a perfect place to start!