Making the big shift from conventional to organic takes a lot of planning. The best way to get started is by browsing products on an organic food store online. However, buying organic can be tricky for newbies. One might get surprised at the price disparity between the conventional and organic produce. However, with the right guidance and planning, shopping organic can become a great experience. We bring you some tips for enjoying the benefits of eating organic without burning a hole in your pocket. Read on:

Read the product information

The first and foremost hurdle faced by every organic shopper is comprehending which products are organic. While purchasing online, it is important to read the labels and the product information carefully. Not all products have “Certified Organic” on their labels. There are as many as 150 different claims that can appear on the labels of edible items. Some of these include “Cage Free”, “Certified Humane”, “Certified Naturally Grown”, “Free Range”, “Fair Trade”, and “Natural”.

Prioritise your shopping list

An immediate shift from buying conventional to organic can cause a steep increase in your monthly expenses. However, you can soften the curve by buying a mix of conventional and organic products. For this, you need to prioritise the items you care about the most. You can purchase the organic versions of these products online and buy the rest of your monthly essentials from your nearest supermarket.

Different people have different reasons for buying organic. Some might be health-conscious, other more concerned about the animal or environmental welfare. The products you might want to prioritise depend upon the kind of buyer you are.

Fruits and vegetables like apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and potatoes – tend to have the highest levels of pesticide residue in their conventional versions. So, a health-conscious buyer would want to buy the organic versions of these items.

However, at the same time, an eco-friendly buyer might focus more on the impact on the environment, and hence for them, grass-fed beef and ‘Fair Trade’ coffee would be the top priority.

Store brands are always more pocket-friendly

Visit any organic food store online. You will notice that most of them have in-house brands. Prices of these store brands are usually lower than brand-name foods, particularly in the case of organic foods. Therefore, if you are on a budget, go for the in-house store brands and save yourself some money.

Buy in bulk whenever you can

Buying non-perishable products like spices and condiments, dried fruits, household cleaners in bulk can save you some money. Most online stores offer better deals on bulk purchases. You can always use the extra quantities later when you need it. This way you can not only save yourself some money, but you can also save yourself time and hassle of shopping for the essentials repeatedly every few weeks.

Ready to reap the benefits of organic living? Keep the above tips in mind the next time you shop organic.