CT 
Crossing organics off your grocery list may seem like an easy way to save money but it's not necessary. (TMS/Shutterstock.com)
While a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed organics don't offer superior nutrition, there are other health benefits to an organic diet.
Eating organic means you will be ingesting fewer pesticides, and it's also the only way you can ensure your family is not eating genetically modified foods (often called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs). Equally important is the simple fact that, organic farming protects farm workers who'd otherwise be exposed to toxic and potentially lethal pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. Supporting organic farming also means fewer chemicals end up in our waterways (see report), a source of drinking water for many Americans.
So how can cash-strapped consumers afford organics?
The first step is to avoid purchasing too much of a perishable food item. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away more than 25 percent of the food they purchase. That's like throwing away 25 percent of your food budget, which could largely make up for the increased cost of most organics. One of the simplest ways to stretch your dollar and waste less is to purchase produce at a local farmer's market, where prices are often cheaper than at supermarkets and food is at its freshest--so everything will last longer once you get it home.
As temperatures grow cooler and the grocery store becomes your only option, there are lots of other ways to keep your grocery bill in check. Coupons are easy money saved, and lots of stores are highlighting sales as a goodwill effort to help out their customers. Make the most of these bonuses and be willing to adjust your meal plans to accommodate big sales you find when you're grocery shopping.
There's no time like a recession to cut out fast food and heavily processed foods from your diet. You may resort to an inexpensive meal deal for some quick savings, but you're better off without it. Highly processed foods offer little or no nutritional value, and they won't help your body cope with the stress of the times. Skip the pre-packaged lunches and those ready-in-five-minutes side dishes, and you'll have more money for healthy organic foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
If your budget simply won't allow a fully organic diet, there are some options. The Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists at FoodNews.org identify which fruits and vegetables carry the most and least pesticide residues. The Organic Center has also created lists of fruits and vegetables that have the highest pesticide risk per serving with separate lists for domestically grown produce and imports. If you can only afford some organics, consult both of these lists and create your own must-buy-organics list to tuck in your wallet or store on your cell phone.
Organic dairy is preferred for its lack of hormones and antibiotics. Most cows treated with hormones are also heavily treated with antibiotics to manage infections caused by their milk-heavy udders dragging on the ground. As a cheaper alternative to organics, an increasing number of non-organic but hormone-free dairies are labeling their products "hormone-free" or "rBST-free" to appeal to consumers who want to avoid hormones but not spend the extra money for organic.
Whether you manage to eke out a full organic diet or just focus on key organic foods throughout this recession, eating organics supports an industry that is healthier for your family, your fellow Americans, and the wildlife that is often harmed by the agricultural chemicals that enter their ecosystems.
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-- Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer are the co-founders of NaturallySavvy.com, a website that educates people on the benefits of living a natural, organic and green lifestyle. For more information and to sign up for their newsletter, visit www.NaturallySavvy.com.
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