Cost of Organic Food vs Conventional

Cost of Organic Food vs Conventional Food

I’m not starting this page off with the differences between cost and pricing of conventional food and organic food because it is most important. But at the same time, I am starting this page off with this because it is most important. Whenever discussing the importance of buying organic, there is one objection that is stated 100% of the time. That objection is:

I can’t afford it, I don’t have the money.

I’m here to tell you that you can’t afford NOT to eat organic. The specifics will be covered below, but here is why you should absolutely buy organic and ditch what you’ve probably been eating.

Health is the Most Important Aspect of Life: Cost Aspect of Conventional Food in Terms of Health

Some people, for some reason or another, may not feel this way. But when it comes down to it, your health affects every aspect of your life. It should be top priority. In today’s society, if you aren’t eating organic, you are seriously compromising your health.

Here’s how:

  • Substances in conventional food such as high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and aspartame slows your brain down and reduces cognitive ability. They also cause a whole host of other problems discussed in-depth on other pages of the website.
  • Pesticides used on conventional food are a hazard to your health.
  • Growth hormones and antibiotics, in addition to the genetically modified feed fed to livestock, cause various health problems.
  • Nutritional value of the food is compromised, leaving you with less vitamins and minerals your body thrives on. This is caused partly by synthetic fertilizer which is used for conventionally grown foods.
  • Many foods are genetically modified. These foods with altered DNA are unsafe for consumption. This is covered extensively on the Genetically Modified Foods page.

Health is the Most Important Aspect of Life: Cost Aspect of Organic Food in Terms of Money

It is hard to measure how much money you save by buying organic in terms of your health. But one thing is for sure, you DO save money. By buying organic, you won’t be subjecting your body to all the negative aspects of conventional food. Thinking will be enhanced, and you’ll notice your health problems disappear one by one. I think you’ll find this very enlightening – the money you actually save by making less visits to the drug store and feeling better.

You’ll save money because:

  • Prescription drug use will lessen, saving you money.
  • Drugs you buy at the drug store to “fix” headaches, stomach aches, and pains will not longer be needed, saving you money.
  • You’ll feel better and could find yourself turning to alcohol or cigarettes less.
  • Organic and whole foods fill you faster, and therefore you will not need as much food to satisfy your physical hunger, saving you money.

So what is the difference in cost?

The Difference in Money Costs

It is true, SOMETIMES organic food costs more directly than conventional food which is often bought from large food manufacturers. But they don’t cost more as a marketing ploy or to get more profit than conventional food. Certified organic foods with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal will often be the foods that cost more conventional and even other organic foods which don’t qualify for the seal.

Certified organic foods may cost more for these reasons:

  • Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited. This leaves organic farmers with more expensive methods of controlling pests, diseases, weeds, and providing more nutrients for crops to grow.
  • Organic farming is more labor intensive and takes more time.
  • Yields for organic farmers are typically lower than those of conventional farmers. They end up with less crops while putting out more time and using more expensive means of growing.
  • Ultimately, organic farmers make less money than conventional farmers, and must increase price to make some profit and survive. The organic farms are usually smaller and don’t benefit from the economies of scale that larger growers get.
  • Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do.

Not all foods qualify for the organic seal, however. The reason I’m mentioning this is that some organic foods don’t have to follow such strict rules. So many times, organic food may only cost a little bit more, the same, or even less!

It is often just a matter of good, better, and best. At least TRY to buy organic and see how much more you’re spending. Prices vary based on the food and the area you buy in, so the only real way to know is to do the experiment for yourself. If you find you’re spending too much in your eyes, don’t buy all organic. But it is important that you make it a goal to have enough money to buy organic all the time, because it really is important. For now, just buy some organic, and ease into that new lifestyle.

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