You may have noticed there are more healthy foods, along with organic food options available at your local grocery store. This has made it easier for people to have the opportunity to purchase only organic, as well as healthier, choices.

4 benefits of eating organic food to help with dietary choices

Here are some of the benefits you may experience eating organic foods, as well as healthier locally grown options.

Reduced Pesticide Exposure

The amount of pesticides in the food chain is causing some concern, as well as illnesses. There are some studies reporting pesticides are harming children’s brains. Pesticides can also accumulate in your tissues. Accumulated pesticides lead to health issues. Some types of produce contain more trace amounts of pesticides than others do. It’s best if you stay away from the “dirty foods.” Even more important: keeping your family away from them. How? Choosing organic options.

Less Antibiotic Usage Required

Organic meat is becoming more popular because of the antibiotic usage ranchers use. Livestock living in close quarters end up sick often. Farmers kept their animals healthier by adding antibiotics to the feed. Overusing antibiotics caused an increase in antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. Switching to organic meats reduces exposure to these strains of bacteria. It also helps reduce the chances of more devastating bacterial strains developing.

Wholesome Opportunities

Many consider organic food choices more wholesome. Normally, local growers grow, and sell organic foods. These sellers are less likely to use preservatives. This means your food may be more wholesome and therefore better for you. Organic bread is a good example of this potential increase in the wholesomeness of the food. You get more nutritional ingredients with less preservatives and additives in the mix.

Benefits for the Environment

Organic farming also has lots of benefits for the environment. There’s less pesticide waste running off into the water source. This overspill of nutrients can contribute to the development of algae blooms in your water supply. Another benefit? Organic farming retains more nutrients in the soil, giving the crop more of an opportunity to produce higher yield. It may also benefit in helping to reduce climate change by trapping carbon within the soil itself.

You may not be able to afford to exclusively purchase organic foods for your family. Pick and choose the items that will provide you with the most benefit.

Author bio: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.