The 20 Best Organic Foods

Walk into an average grocery store and you face a choice—47,000 choices of products, actually. And their labels advertise terms such as low fat, high fiber, free range, and organic. Some matter, some don’t. But those labels aren’t even the most confusing part: Many scientists say organic is more nutritious than conventionally grown food, while others say it’s not. The back and forth is enough to make us “eat what’s available when we’re hungry and try not to think too much about it because it’s all so disheartening and confusing,” writes Maria Rodale in her new book, Organic Manifesto. Sadly, not buying organic food is a mistake that you—as a man—can no longer afford to make. According to new studies, eating organic foods can help you build more muscle and burn more fat, not to mention protect the environment from harmful pesticides and increase your chances of siring healthy offspring (sons in particular). Here are 20 top organic foods to get you started. Add them to your grocery list to upgrade your diet, strengthen your body, and help heal the planet.

Best Yogurt

Stoneyfield Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt with Honey

Sweetened naturally (and organically) without added preservatives.

5.3 oz container:
120 calories
13 g protein
18 g carbs
0 g fat

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Best Sweet Snack

Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Double Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies

Indulge your chocoholism without overeating.

4 cookies:
160 calories
2 g protein
21 g carbs (1 g fiber)
8 g fat

Best Coffee

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Organic French Roast

"Direct trade" means the roasters buy directly from growers and then ship this dark, rich coffee to you.

1 cup:
2 calories

Best Crunchy Snack

Newman's Own Organics Honey Wheat Mini Pretzels

Not too sweet. Amazing with peanut butter.

20 pretzels:
110 calories
2 g protein
22 g carbs (3 g fiber)
1 g fat

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Best Fiery Snack

Eden Organic Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and cayenne, these put spicy chips to shame.

1/4 cup:

200 calories
10 g protein
5 g carbs (5 g fiber)
16 g fat

Best Fruit Snack

Peeled Snacks Much-Ado-About Mango

Only one ingredient: dried organic mangoes.

Per bag:
120 calories
2 g protein
28 g carbs (2 g fiber)
0 g fat

Best Wine

Scribe 2008 Pinot Noir

Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, California, gives it the thumbs-up. We second.

3.5 oz:
84 calories
0 g protein
2 g carbs
0 g fat

Best Beer

Samuel Smith Organic Ale

Consider this balanced, full-bodied ale your new warm-weather brew.

12 oz:
150 calories
2 g protein
15 g carbs
0 g fat

Best Milk

Stonyfield Organic Reduced Fat

It's creamy, without the calories of whole milk.

1 cup:
130 calories
8 g protein
13 g carbs
5 g fat

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Best Cooking Oil

Spectrum Organic Grapeseed Oil

Use this for medium-to-high-heat cooking.

1 Tbsp:
120 calories
0 g protein
0 g carbs
14 g fat

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Best Spice

McCormick 100% Organic Cayenne Red Pepper

After you hit your steak with salt and pepper, ratchet up the heat with a shake of this.

(0 calories)

Best Meat

Full Circle Bison Ranch Organic Grass Fed Buffalo (Rib Eye)

This steak outranked all the organic beef brands we sampled.

3 oz:
150 calories
25 g protein
0 g carbs
5 g fat

Best Postworkout Recovery Drink

Organic Valley Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk

Stocked with the protein your muscles need to rebuild quickly.

Per cup:
170 calories
8 g protein
24 g carbs
5 g fat

Best Frozen Meal

Amy's Roasted Vegetable Tamale

It's satisfying enough to stave off hunger, but sanely portioned to prevent a gut bomb.

Per meal:
280 calories
9 g protein
46 g carbs
7 g fat

Best Eggs

Vital Farms

Scrambled, fried, or poached, these heart-healthier eggs cook up flavorful and fluffy.

One large egg:

70 calories
6 grams (g) protein
0 g carbs
4 g fat

Best Condiment

Annie's Naturals Organic Dijon Mustard

It has no calories, tons of flavor, and goes great with our pretzel pick. (See "Best Crunchy Snack.")

Best Deli Cheese

Applegate Farms Organic Mild Cheddar Cheese

Serve your next grilled cheese without a side of hormones.

1 slice:
85 calories
5 g protein
0 g carbs
6 g fat

Best Cereal

Kashi Whole Wheat Biscuits, Cinnamon Harvest

One serving is nearly 20 percent of your daily fiber, and it doesn't taste like the box it came in.

2 oz:
180 calories
6 g protein
43 g carbs (5 g fiber)
1 g fat

Best Lunch Meat

Applegate Farms Organic Roasted Turkey Breast

Try some of this lean, luscious protein rolled and slathered with pesto.

2 oz:
50 calories
10 g protein
1 g carbs
0 g fat

Best Bread

Bread Alone Bakery Organic Whole Grain Health Loaf

Sweetened with honey and topped with sesame and sunflower seeds, it's the perfect slice for sandwiches.

1 slice:
140 calories
5 g protein
27 g carbs (4 g fiber)
2 g fat

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