Is organic better?

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - In more recent food and nutritional studies (within the past couple of years) organic foods and produce had always been deemed healthier, or so we've been informed.

However, a new study released this week states the extra money we're forking over for groceries may not always be worth it.

According to doctors from Stanford University, organic produce contains no more vitamins and minerals than conventionally grown produce.

Researchers also found a 33 percent greater risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in non-organic pork and chicken.

However, organic produce is less likely to contain pesticides by 30 percent.

We went grocery shopping at Baesler's Market Thursday with a dietician to see whether organic is better.

Registered Dietician Marissa Trout said the first rule of thumb is shop the perimeter of the store.

"When you start going up and down the aisles of the grocery store where you encounter more foods that are latent with sodium used as a preservative to keep the shelf life stable longer," Trout said.

First item on our list: grapes, which is a $.30 jump in price between traditional grapes and the organic ones.

Trout said buying organic can be a strain on your wallet, so buy items you can get the most out of.

Next stop, celery, which was a $2 difference.

This was one of the most shocking price differences we found.

Trout said shopping isn't black and white, and you should beware of deceptive marketing.

"I would probably buy the Dole celery here, and I would be sure to wash them with warm water before consuming," she said.

Next, chicken is almost double the price.

"Saturated fats are the same, sodium content, carbohydrates, the sugars, and the proteins is exactly the same, so there's absolutely no nutritional difference in the product when comparing the labels."

Then, it was time to check out.

With the same items in our cart, Trout bought organic foods and produce, we bought all non-organic.

The bottom line: Trout paid about double.

To put it simply, "Consumers want to hear that organic products are better for you. We like to eat foods that make us feel good and think will make us healthy, but the bottom line is a healthy diet's about balance, moderation, and eating healthful foods throughout the day and there's a lot of healthy foods that are not organic," said Trout.

Trout also said if you do want to go organic, look for the USDA seal if you're in doubt.