Fear of Food

Now I have to admit right off, that I am more than a little intimidated by food science. What is safe to eat and what will do you as much harm as highly processed foods? What is too processed? After all all food undergoes some processing unless you pull it out of your own garden. The veggies you buy at the grocery store have been radiated to extend their "shelf Life". Lord only know what all has been done to that ground meat you pick up yesterday.
So even if it doesn't come in a box, bag or can more than like your food has been processed somewhat.
There are reports on all the nasty antibiotics and growth hormones in our meat, not to mention they are feed grain, keep on grain lots and not allowed to roam the fields and nosh on grass, dandelions and other such bovine delicacies. Poultry may even have it worse. They are tricked into thinking it's day light so they will lay more eggs. Never allowed out of their nesting boxes, feed hopped up grains and allowed to eat their own fecal matter.
Do I really want to think about all this while I'm trying to buy healthy foods to prepare for my family? I know I should of course, but what is a very un-wealthy person to do? I simply CAN NOT afford to buy organic fruits and vegetables or grass feed beef. If I'm totally honest with you, I'm having a hard time affording the grocery store "crap". No way I can pay $5.oo lb for a chicken. $6.oo lb for tomatoes. I simply do not have the money.
Does this make me a bad person that doesn't care about my family. I often leave health forums and groups feeling like I've been poisoning my family and that if I cared I would weigh the risks and do the right thing. I have weighed the risks. It's grocery store are starve.
Then of course, once you make some peace with the decisions you've had to make, the information all changes. For example take a look at this http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/07/does-banning-hotdogs-and-bacon-make.html Is this for real? Have I been ragging on my poor hot dog addicted mom for no reason? Have the nitrates in the hot dogs actually been contributing to lowering her blood pressure not raising it. Is there really no evidence to support the link between nitrates and cancer?
So I ask you, how is your normal, everyday person suppose to know what the truth is? How are we suppose to navigate the troubled seas of food science, when the experts can't even agree?
Well as for me, my goal is to eat as close to nature as we can possible afford, knowing I am doing the best I can. Hoping and praying that it's the right thing to do.
Who knows, next month they may report that cigarettes protect you from the suns ultra violet rays and we should all take up smoking immediately!