Is Organic Food Better?

Use code YDSAMPLE for a free snack pack from Skratch Labs!Support us on Patreon!Is organic food actually healthier—or just more expensive? This week on Your Diet Sucks, Zoë and Kylee break down the real science behind organic food, including what “organic” really means for produce, meat, and packaged snacks. We cover nutrition claims, pesticide exposure, antioxidant levels, and whether organic food impacts inflammation, gut health, or performance. We also dive into the environmental trade-offs of organic farming, the high cost of certification, and why that $19 strawberry feels morally superior. Plus: the truth behind the Dirty Dozen list, who really benefits from organic labels, and how to make food choices that work for your body and your budget.Big thanks to Microcosm Coaching for supporting the pod! We coach humans, not just athletes. Reach out for a free consultation and meet someone who’s genuinely on your team.ReferencesBaranski, M., Średnicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Stewart, G. B., ... & Leifert, C. (2014). Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: A systematic literature review and meta-analyses. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(5), 794–811. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514001366Średnicka-Tober, D., Baranski, M., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Benbrook, C., Steinshamn, H., ... & Leifert, C. (2016). Composition differences between organic and conventional meat: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Nutrition, 115(6), 994–1011. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515005073Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N., & Foley, J. A. (2012). Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature, 485(7397), 229–232. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11069Smith-Spangler, C., Brandeau, M. L., Hunter, G. E., Bavinger, J. C., Pearson, M., Eschbach, P. J., ... & Bravata, D. M. (2012). Are organic foods safer or healthier than conventional alternatives? A systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 157(5), 348–366. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007Tuomisto, H. L., Hodge, I. D., Riordan, P., & Macdonald, D. W. (2012). Does organic farming reduce environmental impacts? – A meta-analysis of European research. Journal of Environmental Management, 112, 309–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.08.018Clark, M., & Tilman, D. (2017). Comparative analysis of environmental impacts of agricultural production systems, agricultural input efficiency, and food choice. Environmental Research Letters, 12(6), 064016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aa6cd5Kniss, A. R., Savage, S. D., & Jabbour, R. (2016). Commercial crop yields reveal strengths and weaknesses for organic agriculture in the United States. PLoS ONE, 11(8), e0161673. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161673📊 Government & Institutional ReportsUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2022). Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary. https://www.ams.usda.gov/datasets/pdpEnvironmental Working Group. (2023). Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2023. https://www.fao.org