4 Organic food is healthier than conventional food.
The health of the soil is key to the health of all things grown in it, so produce grown in nutrient-rich soil should be relatively rich in minerals, says Daniluk. Friendly bacteria that live in the soil facilitate the uptake of health-enhancing nutrients, so organic plants can end up being much higher in nutritional value than conventional crops. One U.S. study found that organic food contained 63 per cent more calcium, 73 per cent more iron, 125 per cent more potassium and 60 per cent more zinc than conventionally grown food, as well as 25 per cent less of the toxic element mercury. Since organic food is grown in soil that does not have pesticides added to it, it makes sense that it doesn't harbour the same pesticide residues that are common in conventional foods. (It takes about three years for pesticides to leech out of the soil before conventional farmers can switch to organic.)
5 Some experts swear that organic food tastes better than other foods.
Top chefs in Canada and elsewhere often choose organic food simply because it tastes great. Two of Ontario's better-known chefs -- Jamie Kennedy and Michael Stadtländer -- even launched the fund-raiser and educational event Feast of Fields, an annual wine-and-culinary celebration of all that is grown organically in the province of Ontario.
Great Organic Food
• Apples: If you're interested in trying organic produce, you might want to start with apples. Organic apples are in ample supply, so they don't cost much more than other apples.
• Milk: Some people who have a mild lactose intolerance may have fewer stomach complaints when they drink organic milk.
• Strawberries: Nonorganic strawberries are reported to receive doses of up to 500 pounds of pesticides per acre.
• Lettuce: Organic lettuce is widely available in Canada.
And beyond: When people think of organic foods, they tend to think of fruits and vegetables, but organic products also include chocolate, cookies, meat and several cereals.
