Does anyone manage to eat an entirely (or nearly) organic diet?

[LemonsMakelimes]

If so, how much does it cost and is it even doable without either a) spending an eye watering amount b) having your own allotment or veg garden or c) only shopping at small independent places? I do a mix of Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Aldi.

Genuinely interested in trying to move towards mainly organic but no idea if it’s vaguely possible, I think currently about 20% of my shop is organic and feel like I already spend more than most on food.

Bumping for evening people

I’ve been trying to do this slowly. Starting with fruit, veg and dairy. Can definitely taste it, but can also feel it in the wallet unfortunately.

We do but because we grow it. I think sourcing good organic produce would be the issue if we didn’t (and that’s before you factor in cost)

I'd be questioning why you are choosing organic? Are you TTC and worried about chemicals? If so, I'd read 'It starts with an egg'. Lots of tips on reducing chemicals in your life, not just from food and not just for TTC.

The majority of my food is organic. I keep hens, grow fruit and veg in my garden and on my allotment. I preserve as much as possible. I make my own bread and yoghurt from organic ingredients and shop at the local farm shop and butcher. When I buy things from the supermarket I stick to organic as much humanly possible.

I'm retired though, so I have time to do this. It would be much harder if I was still working.

Yes good point, time is an issue for me as I work 30 hours a week and have 3 young DC 😬

I’m not TTC but I have read a few different interesting things about possible benefits of organic. I’m particularly conscious of what the DC eat but also trying to reduce chemicals more broadly eg in household products, reducing plastics

I can eat 100% organic, but couldn't tell you how much it costs as I live in Europe.
Some supermarkets here do organic ranges, but I tend to shop for food at the lical covered market and the weekly open-air ones.
I always buy full-fat organic milk at around €2 per litre.
As there is only 1 of me to feed, it does not cost that much as I only buy what I am going to use, rather than the ubiquitous four or six packs of things like apples, or the 2.5kg bags of potatoes.
So, for example, I might buy 9 baby new potatoes and 15 stalks of asparagus for 3 meals, then make my own dressing, mayonnaise or Hollandaise.
Big advantage is zero packing and zero waste. Leftovers only if I want them and buy a bit extra!

I am very average income, but no car to run and no longer kids to feed, so appreciate we all have different priorities.
I buy organic for the 'dirty dozen' such as grapes, blueberries and potatoes, BUT they are not always available, either online or in stores. It does somewhat force you to go seasonal.

I also prefer organic milk and meat, but only eat chicken and fish.

I spend the same as my sister who doesn't buy organic, yet is also no longer feeding kids, we just buy different things. So same spend but different choices.

The trick is not to judge others or police their choices. And that works both ways. If I am concerned about the soil, ethics and environment, that's my decision, and that's fine. It isn't a political poke or judgment.

Also, organic is not a 'con' as many like to think. Many farmers work very hard and suffer a good deal of stress and expense to maintain organic produce. I'm happy to support that.

We are not all upper middle high earners at all. I am an everyday joe with only a bit to spend, so this is what I choose to spend it on.

I buy meat only twice per week, either wild salmon or chicken, I also eat a lot of tined sardines and mackerel. I can't afford meat every day so that's fine. Sadly I don't like legumes or pulses, so struggle a bit!

I wish someone would offer decent organic crackers, with seeds and cracked pepper instead of those horrid rice disks or ambiguous, beige crackerbreads.

I know exactly why I do it, it is to encourage better welfare practices and to promote more awareness and choice. I have no idea if this will work.

Not sure i believe that i will be healthier or live forever, at all!
If the pesticides don't get you, something else will, whether it's the traffic pollution, plastics and the rest.

Food is rather personal yet we talk about it online so much, and then it becomes political, bound up with identity and a fair amount of willy waving. So much misinformation and one-upmanship. Life is too short.

sorry, i quoted wrong post there!

How have you found it OP? I am increasingly swapping to organic products in the food shop.....mainly due to concerns around the environment and soil health. It is undoubtedly more expensive, although we've been trying to eat mainly UPF free for a couple of years so that helps as I find a mainly organic whole food shop comparable to a shop buying lots of pre-packaged snacks and ready made meals. But we have definitely had to become happier with eating very simple and basic meals most of the time.

I'm not completely vigilant about it. If there is an organic option in the shop I will buy it, but I don't worry if there isn't. I do like to think I'm supporting farmers that are trying to maintain organic practices in a world of pesticides and crop spraying.

I get an organic box from Riverford, stick to raw ingredients mostly and not pre prepared stuff, if I want a cake I make it from raw ingredients, if I want crisps I make them myself. A lot of the time I cba so have reduced my sugar intake hugely. Spent a lot of time researching brands that I trust if I do buy pre-made food to make sure genuinely good ethical and organic and not just marketing.

have a similar approach to cosmetics and put everything through yuka app.

I eat a lot of egg on toast when I’ve had a long day!

It takes time and honestly ive had to adjust the way I eat, lots of stews, soups, salads, pasta bakes with miscellaneous veg from the veg box. Not sticking to recipes but just learning how to cook with random ingredients in the cupboard. Have a subscription to deliciously Ella for granola, order honey from a local beekeeper.

Work full time, have a daughter.

pros - feel a lot healthier, cure my lifelong tummy issues, cured my migraines, anxiety isn’t as bad (although isn’t gone) sleep better, my hair is thicker, never get spots and my skin is very clear.

cons - mental load of not using convenience food, have had to adjust my life to create more time for cooking and buying food. Very hard to eat out.

full disclosure though, daughter has an autoimmune illness and it improved it but didn’t cure it, I’ve had two miscarriages while eating like this. I do feel better though and on balance for me worth the effort.

@Kouklamo sorry to hear about your losses and your daughter's illness.

I totally agree with eggs on toast....that is a very standard meal for us nowadays as it's such a quick and easy go-to dinner.

Thank you! My daughter’s inflammation markers have dropped hugely on this diet. Although it’s harder with children as they love the beige food haha

I eat a mainly organic diet, and have started to make bread in a bread maker. I buy organic flour, for that. Nothing is more important to me, then what I put in my body. I have seen close up, what a diet consisting of UPF's, and takeaways can do to people.

Not at those prices.

We do. Most food from Ocado, plus an organic veg box, and I make sourdough. Most things cooked from scratch. We don't eat meat or dairy, and very little fish. We do eat organic eggs.

Costs us around £175 a week for 3 people, but I'm not particularly careful so I imagine i could do it for a fair amount less if e.g. we weren't spending a small fortune on organic berries. You could also save a fair amount by shopping to the offers. I expect if we ate meat that would push it up a fair amount.