Are you one of the many people who want to eat ethically and healthfully, but are not sure how to do so? If you have budgetary restrictions, that makes this task even more difficult. If you could buy grass-fed beef wholesale, that would probably be helpful, but you may not know how or where to come across these kinds of deals.
On the surface, it does not make sense that food would cost more because it is less processed and closer to its natural state, or, in the case of meat, that it costs less if the animals are pumped full of hormones. However, when food is mass-produced, even if it is over-processed and full of chemicals, it costs the company less, and therefore they can charge less for it. Organic farmers tend to have very small businesses, and therefore they have to charge more.
The reason that smaller businesses and individual farmers have to charge more is that they have to make a profit that exceeds their production costs. Because this reason is logical and valid, people without financial restrictions are often willing to pay the extra money. The reason that their health and peace of mind are worth the higher cost.
For people with a limited income, however, this may not be possible. When you have to feed a family, or even an individual, on a small budget, you cannot afford to make concessions in the cost department. This does not mean that you can't ever choose healthier options, though. Here are a few suggestions that might help.
First of all, you can choose certain items to be picky about. You may not be able to buy everything organic and all natural, but you can probably afford to buy a few things that way. Meat is a good thing to prioritize this way, because of the health issues involved with eating hormones and the ethical issues involved with supporting the inhumane treatment of animals. Also, certain vegetables and fruits are more likely to be contaminated with pesticides than others.
There is a list called "The Dirty Dozen Plus" that can help you with this. The name refers to certain fruits and veggies that are more likely to contain dangerous pesticides if they are not organically grown. These include spinach, bell peppers, nectarines, apples, celery, grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes and strawberries. These should be bought organic if possible.
Some veggies and fruits, however, are less likely to be dangerous, and are therefore safer to buy in their conventionally grown varieties. These "Clean 15" are papayas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, sweet peas, mangoes, kiwi, avocado, pineapples, asparagus, sweet corn, onions, and cabbage.
Following those lists is one way help organize your shopping, which may help to put organic food more within your financial reach. Another option is to find wholesale markets or food co-ops, which sometimes are able to offer organic and natural items at a lower price than a regular grocery store would charge. Farmers' markets can be a good option, as well. Certain states offer an incentive to people shopping with food stamps, in which they will double the value if you spend your stamps at a farmers' market. Explore these options, and make whatever small changes you can!
On the surface, it does not make sense that food would cost more because it is less processed and closer to its natural state, or, in the case of meat, that it costs less if the animals are pumped full of hormones. However, when food is mass-produced, even if it is over-processed and full of chemicals, it costs the company less, and therefore they can charge less for it. Organic farmers tend to have very small businesses, and therefore they have to charge more.
The reason that smaller businesses and individual farmers have to charge more is that they have to make a profit that exceeds their production costs. Because this reason is logical and valid, people without financial restrictions are often willing to pay the extra money. The reason that their health and peace of mind are worth the higher cost.
For people with a limited income, however, this may not be possible. When you have to feed a family, or even an individual, on a small budget, you cannot afford to make concessions in the cost department. This does not mean that you can't ever choose healthier options, though. Here are a few suggestions that might help.
First of all, you can choose certain items to be picky about. You may not be able to buy everything organic and all natural, but you can probably afford to buy a few things that way. Meat is a good thing to prioritize this way, because of the health issues involved with eating hormones and the ethical issues involved with supporting the inhumane treatment of animals. Also, certain vegetables and fruits are more likely to be contaminated with pesticides than others.
There is a list called "The Dirty Dozen Plus" that can help you with this. The name refers to certain fruits and veggies that are more likely to contain dangerous pesticides if they are not organically grown. These include spinach, bell peppers, nectarines, apples, celery, grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes and strawberries. These should be bought organic if possible.
Some veggies and fruits, however, are less likely to be dangerous, and are therefore safer to buy in their conventionally grown varieties. These "Clean 15" are papayas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, sweet peas, mangoes, kiwi, avocado, pineapples, asparagus, sweet corn, onions, and cabbage.
Following those lists is one way help organize your shopping, which may help to put organic food more within your financial reach. Another option is to find wholesale markets or food co-ops, which sometimes are able to offer organic and natural items at a lower price than a regular grocery store would charge. Farmers' markets can be a good option, as well. Certain states offer an incentive to people shopping with food stamps, in which they will double the value if you spend your stamps at a farmers' market. Explore these options, and make whatever small changes you can!
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