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 many people, however, this is simply not an option. When you are on a limited income, and especially if you have a family to feed, you probably have to place your budget at a higher priority than other factors. However, there may be some things you can do to stay within your budget and still eat more naturally.
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 that has circulated the internet called "The Dirty Dozen Plus." This list details the produce that is most likely to be contaminated with pesticides, and that should always be bought organic. It includes cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes, strawberries, nectarines, cucumbers, bell peppers, grapes, spinach, peaches, apples, and celery. All of these are good things to prioritize for organic shopping.
On the other hand, it is okay to buy some conventionally grown produce. The "Clean 15" is a list of fruits and vegetables that are basically safe even when they are conventionally grown. This list includes: mushrooms, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, papayas, cantaloupe, eggplant, kiwi, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, avocado, cabbage, onions, pineapples, and sweet corn.
In addition to following these lists, you can also seek out lower cost natural and organic foods. You may be able to order some foods wholesale online. You also may be able to purchase them at a farmers' market for a lower cost than you would at the supermarket. Some states offer double value on food stamps at farmers' markets; find out if your state has this policy. Finally, seek out food co-ops and wholesale markets. These are not always easy to find, and they do not always have lower prices, but they are worth exploring!
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 many people, however, this is simply not an option. When you are on a limited income, and especially if you have a family to feed, you probably have to place your budget at a higher priority than other factors. However, there may be some things you can do to stay within your budget and still eat more naturally.
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 that has circulated the internet called "The Dirty Dozen Plus." This list details the produce that is most likely to be contaminated with pesticides, and that should always be bought organic. It includes cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes, strawberries, nectarines, cucumbers, bell peppers, grapes, spinach, peaches, apples, and celery. All of these are good things to prioritize for organic shopping.
On the other hand, it is okay to buy some conventionally grown produce. The "Clean 15" is a list of fruits and vegetables that are basically safe even when they are conventionally grown. This list includes: mushrooms, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, papayas, cantaloupe, eggplant, kiwi, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, avocado, cabbage, onions, pineapples, and sweet corn.
In addition to following these lists, you can also seek out lower cost natural and organic foods. You may be able to order some foods wholesale online. You also may be able to purchase them at a farmers' market for a lower cost than you would at the supermarket. Some states offer double value on food stamps at farmers' markets; find out if your state has this policy. Finally, seek out food co-ops and wholesale markets. These are not always easy to find, and they do not always have lower prices, but they are worth exploring!
About the Author:
You can visit www.boeckmannfamilyfarmllc.com for more helpful information about Buying Grass-Fed Beef Wholesale And Other Ways To Afford Healthier Food.
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