Organic foods-are they better, safer, more nutritious?

That's what many runners want to know. After all, when you are training hard to enhance your performance, you might as well enhance your health at the same time--and that means eating wisely and well. Questions arise: should eating organic foods be a part of your sports diet? This article addresses some questions runners commonly ask about whether or not to go organic.

The Meaning of Organic

To start, what does "organic" actually mean? Organic refers to the way farmers grow and process fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Only foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled "organic." (Note: The food label terms "natural," "hormone free," or "free-range" do not necessarily mean "organic.") Organic farming practices are designed to conserve soil and water and to reduce pollution. For example, organic farmers do not use chemical fertilizers, insecticides, or weed killers on crops. Nor do they use growth hormones, antibiotics and medications to enhance animal growth and prevent disease.

Why Go Organic?

Organic fruits and vegetables can cost about thirty percent more than standard produce, if not more. If you are a hungry runner who requires a lot of food, you might be wondering: Are organic products worth the extra cost? In terms of taste, some runners claim organic foods taste better. Taste is subjective and may relate to the fact that freshly grown foods have more flavor. In terms of nutrition, some research suggests organic foods may have slightly more minerals and antioxidants than conventionally grown counterparts, but the differences are insignificant. You could adjust for the difference by simply eating, let's say, a larger portion of conventionally grown broccoli.

One important reason to buy organic--preferably locally grown organic--is to help sustain the earth and replenish its resources. Buying locally grown foods supports the small farmers and helps them earn a better living from their farmland. Otherwise, farmers can easily be tempted to sell their land for subdivisions or industrial parks--and there goes more beautiful open green space.

Yet, if you buy organic foods from a large grocery store chain, you should think about the whole picture. Because organic fruits, for example, are in big demand, they may need to be transported for thousands of miles, let's say from California to Massachusetts. This transportation process consumes fuel, pollutes the air--and hinders the establishment of a better environment. Does this really fit the ideal vision of "organic"? The compromise is to buy locally grown produce whenever possible. To find the farm stands in your area, visit www.localharvest.com.

A second potential reason to choose organic relates to reducing the pesticide content in your body and the potential risk of cancer and birth defects. The Environmental Protection Agency (www.EPA.gov) has established standards that require a 100- to 1,000-fold margin of safety for pesticide residues. They have set limits based on scientific data that indicates a pesticide will not cause "unreasonable risk to human health." According to Richard Bonanno, PhD, agricultural expert at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a farmer himself, sixty-five to seventy-five percent of conventionally grown produce has no detectible pesticides. (When used properly and applied at the right times, pesticides degrade and become inert.) Results of testing vegetables from farms in Massachusetts showed no pesticide residues in one hundred percent of the samples. Bonanno reports only one-half percent of conventionally grown foods (but three to four percent of imported foods) are above EPA standards. A 2005 survey revealed pesticide residue exceeding the tolerance was only 0.2%, based on 13,621 food samples. Yet, watchdog groups such as www.beyondpesticides.org and www.foodnews.org wave red flags and remind us, for example, that small amounts of pesticides can accumulate in the body. This may be of particular concern during vulnerable periods of growth, such as with young children.

Conflicting Values

Clearly, whether or not to buy organic foods becomes a matter of personal values. Bonanno sees "organic," in part, as a marketing ploy, with organic foods portrayed as being safer and better. He argues that we do not have a two-tier food system in the U.S.--with wealthier people who can afford to buy organic foods being the recipients of safer foods.

Options
So, what is a hungry but poor runner to do?

* Eat a variety of foods, to minimize exposure to a specific pesticide residue.

* Carefully wash and rinse fruits and vegetables under running water; this can remove ninety-nine percent of any pesticide residue (depending on the food and the pesticide).

* Peel fruits, such as apples, potatoes, carrots, and pears (but then, you also peel off important nutrients).

* Remove the tops and outer portions of celery, lettuce, and cabbage.

* For peace of mind, buy organic versions of the foods you eat most often, such as organic apples if you are a five-a-day apple eater.

* Sometimes (if not all the time), buy organic versions of the fruits and veggies that are known to have the highest pesticide residue, even after having been washed. According to the Environmental Working Group (www.foodnews.org), the "Dirty Dozen" includes these fruits: apples, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries, red raspberries; and these vegetables: potato, bell pepper, celery, spinach.

* Save money by choosing conventionally grown versions of the "Clean Dozen" (with little or no pesticide residue): banana, kiwi, pineapple, mango, papaya (note that foods like papaya, mango and banana have their own protective shell, so this reduces pesticide exposure on the flesh of the fruit); asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, sweet corn, and green peas. (For a complete list of 43 fruits and veggies, see www.foodnews.org.)

When all is said and done, whether or not to make the extra shopping trip and pay the higher price is an individual decision. But for runners who are concerned about the environment, there is no question that buying organic foods help save the small farms--and the future of our planet.

For additional information
Agricultural Marketing Service of the US Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program: www.ams.usda,gov/science/pdp

Beyond Pesticides (formerly the National Commission Against the Misuse of Pesticides): www.beyondpesticides.org

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.EPA.gov/pesticides

Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org; www.foodnews.org.

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics), counsels casual & competitive athletes at Healthworks (617) 383-6100, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill, MA. Her Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Food Guide for Marathoners and Cyclist's Food Guide are available via www.nancyclarkrd.com.