so how bad are raw, NON-organic nuts/seeds for you

[muppet]

I always try to buy organic. All of my produce is organic and that's non-negotiable for me these days. But jeez, the price of raw, organic nuts is well, nuts! In my mind, I have this theory that because the nuts are in a shell the pesticides used when they are grown doesn't affect them so much. Is this true? Or am I nuts. I can go to trader joe's and get raw, non-organic nuts and seeds for at least half of what I pay at Whole Foods/Wild Oats. But on the other hand I don't want to be eating pesticides. So, my dear rawists, please let me know your feelings. Thanks:o

[earth_sista]

well, it takes a while in the growth process for the shell to become hard. initially, it's very soft. im not really sure how affected they are from pesticides.
i buy inorganic nuts and seeds a lot, too. you do the best you can :)

[kaylene]

I would also like to know if anyone knows the answer to this--I have purchased the non-organic before when I've been tight with money--please help with this!

[NoniPixie]

i agree with earth sista. . . just do the best you can. i don't know exactly how "bad" they would be. I'd imagine some would be better than others. i'd just wash them good before using. i mean, nuts and seeds are shelled when sprayed so that's good. i'd imagine the main difference would just be in the nutrient value... which would depend more on the soil and such they're grown in...

as long as they still make you feel good i say go for it!

[kaybee]

hey, just a heads-up: TRADER JOES NUTS ARENT RAW. NONE OF THEM ARE RAW. SEARCH FOR PREVIOUS THREADS ON THIS. costco nuts are a better bet. search for previous threads on this too: someone got costco to do research for them and costco said their walnuts pecans and pinenuts all have never been heated.

i buy non organic too. cant afford the organic. i dont worry about it too much because i CANT worry about it. theres nothing i can do about it,

Also, ALL almonds you buy unless imported from Europe OR bought directly from a farmer ARE NOT EVEN RAW, they are pasteurized.

just a heads-up :)

good luck

kaybee

[jrose_lee]

Also, ALL almonds you buy unless imported from Europe OR bought directly from a farmer ARE NOT EVEN RAW, they are pasteurized.


this company sells truly raw almonds....
http://organicpastures.com/index.html

just ignore the dairy & go down to the pic of the almonds

[corcutt]

For what it's worth, I had heard about the almond controversy in CA, so I called my local Trader Joes here in KC. I talked to the head of
some department, and she said that the almonds they sell are "cooked" or pasteurized, but only below 118 degrees, which according to my
sources, means the nutrients and enzymes are still intact. I would like to follow this controversy so I, the paying consumer, know the
almonds/nuts I'm getting are indeed raw. If enough of us voice our concerns and demand raw nuts, our voices will be heard because money rules in this society! If we quit buying "cooked" nuts, retailers will do a back flip to get our money. Thank you all for helping to keep us all
enlightened and closer to the truth. TOGETHER WE PREVAIL!

[MysticTree]

For what it's worth, I had heard about the almond controversy in CA, so I called my local Trader Joes here in KC. I talked to the head of
some department, and she said that the almonds they sell are "cooked" or pasteurized, but only below 118 degrees, which according to my
sources, means the nutrients and enzymes are still intact. I would like to follow this controversy so I, the paying consumer, know the
almonds/nuts I'm getting are indeed raw. If enough of us voice our concerns and demand raw nuts, our voices will be heard because money rules in this society! If we quit buying "cooked" nuts, retailers will do a back flip to get our money. Thank you all for helping to keep us all
enlightened and closer to the truth. TOGETHER WE PREVAIL!

I doubt the raw consumer makes enough of an impact to cause back flips! Quite probably never will but certainly buy only raw nuts; just don't expect anyone to notice much.

[walnutty]

I stick with raw, organic sunflower seeds for most everything since they are so inexpensive ($1.29-$1.99 per lb.). They can replace nuts in almost every recipe.

[sport]

http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list/
This is the latest EWG list. The items at the top of the list should be bought organic. It becomes less important as you come down along.