Milk, Meats, and Fish: "Buying organic milk is important," says Joachim. "It comes from cows that aren't given growth hormones, antibiotics, or feed that's laden with synthetic pesticides."
From a strictly pesticide standpoint, buying organic meat is less important than buying organic fruits and vegetables, because eating the meat of animals who've eaten pesticides doesn't have as big an impact as eating the pesticides straight from produce.
But organic meat does contain more healthy fats like omega-3s and less unhealthy saturated fats because the animals eat grass. And organic cattle farms are far better for the environment.
Also look for labels like "pasture raised," "free farmed," "Food Alliance" and "grass fed" (for beef), which mean the animals were raised under the healthiest conditions. (Are you being duped by food labels? Learn the truth about 6 Nutritional Label Lies.)
More: Eco-Foods: Get You and Your Environment in Better Shape
Whether farm-raised (organic and conventional) or wild-caught, fish can carry a massive toxin load, so choose wisely. In general, look for smaller fish such as herring and anchovies, which naturally have lower toxin loads.
Other good choices: U.S.-farmed catfish, farmed rainbow trout, Pacific or hook-caught Atlantic cod, wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, sardines, mackerel, farmed or wild Atlantic striped bass, mahi-mahi and tilapia.
Beans and Grains Buying organic here is less of a priority, but most active cyclists eat a lot of grain products, so if they're available and affordable, choose organic pastas, breads, cereals and soy foods, which do not contain genetically modified grains.
More: Learn How Beans Sustain Your Energy While You Cycle
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