- Learn why it's important to go organic.
- Save money when shopping for organic food.
- Find organic coupons.
1. Organic Produce
Produce is one of the most sought after, easy to find, most affordable organic food products for consumers. Almost all produce is currently available in organic form, although keep in mind that if you're buying exotic produce off-season, it's likely shipped in from another state or country. Just because organics are shipped doesn't make them non-organic, but it does make your produce non-local and less eco-minded due to shipping issues.
Examples: Bananas, apples, spinach, oranges, watermelon, corn, berries and almost every other produce item you can imagine is available in organic form, including processed fruits like applesauce or jam, beverages such as organic apple juice, plant-based milks, and even specialty items like organic edible flowers.
Tips: As with all food items, look for the organic seal when buying organic produce, but be careful because sometimes people mix conventional produce into the organic bins. To be sure you're getting organic produce, check the PLU codes (little stickers on produce). Organic PLU codes feature a '9' at the front of the code. For example, organic bananas would have a PLU code that reads, '94011'.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions. When it comes to produce, all of it can be certified organic.
2. Organic Dairy, Eggs & Meat
Most animal products are eligible for organic certification, so it's easy to find honey, meat, eggs and dairy of all sorts in organic form.
Examples: Steak, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, chicken, turkey, ice cream and many other animal-based products are all available in organic form.
Tips: Organic meat is expensive, as are organic dairy products and eggs. Look for sales and stock up or consider cutting some animal products from your diet to save more money.
Exceptions: Almost all animal products can be certified organic but there are a couple of exceptions. There's currently no standards for organic seafood. You can however, locate more sustainable seafood by visiting Seafood Watch. Federal regulation requires mandatory pasteurization for all milk products so raw milk is also not eligible for organic certification.
3. Organic Processed Foods & Sweets
There's a ton of processed organic foods on the market today, including more candy and other sweet items than you'd believe.
Examples:Chocolate, chips, gummy bears, packaged frozen meals, sauces, soups, ready-made pies, crackers, salad dressings and so much more are all available in organic form.
Tips: While there are a lot of organic processed foods out there, it's always best to eat more whole food items than processed food items, because organic doesn't always mean healthier or salt-free.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions when it comes to processed foods or candy, though you'd be hard-pressed to find special items like organic Skittles.
4. Organic Tea & Coffee
It used to be tough to find organic tea and coffee, but not anymore. Stores and Farmers' Markets carry many varieties and flavors of hot and cold organic tea and coffee.
Examples: Certified organic tea is available in whole loose tea form, tea bag form and powdered, such as iced. Organic Chai is also readily available. As for coffee, you've got all kinds of organic choices, from powdered to singles, ground and more, though whole organic coffee beans are the most popular. Note that you can also buy organic hot chocolate.
Tips: Look for certified organic and Fair Trade tea, coffee and cocoa if you want your choice to be ethical too.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
5. Organic Alcohol
It can be tough to find organic alcohol, and it's usually a lot more costly when you do find it, but it is available.
Examples: Wine, beer, champagne, vodka, gin and many other alcoholic beverages can be certified organic.
Tips: Look to local brewers for organic beer and keep in mind that the reason organic alcohol costs more is because it's organic from start to finish. In order for alcohol to be certified organic any item used to make the alcohol, including the grapes, barley, hops, apples, pears and other items must be organic.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions when it comes to alcohol. Though it's harder to find, all alcohol is eligible for certification.
6. Organic Herbs & Spices
Herbs and spices are considered agricultural products which makes them eligible for organic certification, and it's easy to find both herbs and spices in organic form at most stores nowadays.
Examples: You can find whole, ground, packaged, and fresh herbs and spices from basil to lavender to nutmeg to pepper and more in organic form.
Tips: Organic herbs and spices are wildly more expensive than conventional. To save money, consider growing some of your own organic herbs or look for both herbs and spices in bulk bins.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
7. Organic Baking Goods
Baked goods made with organic ingredients taste better and are better for you. Luckily, you've got lots of organic baking options.
Examples: Flour, sugar, wheat germ, honey, flax seed, agave, shortening, food dyes and cooking oils are just some examples of the many baking goods you'll see in organic form. Additionally, you can easily find tons of ready-made organic baked goods at the store including breads, waffles, cakes and more.
Tips: Something you may notice about organic baking goods is the color. Because organics are not bleached or colored with chemicals, your organic flour and sugar may look darker, not crystal white. This is normal. Along those lines, food dyes made organically do not contain fake food chemical dyes, but instead are made with produce items, spices, or flowers so the colors will be more natural, less neon.
Exceptions: Salt, which you may or may not consider a baking item, cannot be certified organic, as it's a mineral. Yeast cannot be certified organic either as it's classified as a nonagricultural product. All other baking goods are easy to find in organic form.
8. Organic Nuts & Soy
Nuts and soy products are becoming more popular and it's easy to find organic versions. Bonus, organic soy items are very affordable and far healthier for you than conventional soy products due to the massive amounts of pesticides used for conventional soy crops.
Examples: Whole walnuts, cashews, peanuts and nut butters along with soy milk, soy beans, tofu, nut-based milks and more can all be certified organic.
Tips: Organic nuts can be somewhat expensive, so look for bulk or store brand organics if you'd like to save more money.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions when it comes to nuts and soy.