There is hype in buying organic, and the truth is your going to pay more for it. When your on a tight budget it isn’t perpetually possible to buy organic. However, there are fruits and vegetables you should always purchase certified organic, because they are more likely to be loaded with pesticides. Washing and peeling helps, but it still won’t completely eliminate the harmful toxins.
After extensive research, EWG has compiled two lists called The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15. The lists make up a simple free Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides and will arm you with the knowledge you need to navigate down the produce aisle. Ultimately, by following the guide you will be able to make informed purchasing choices and even save yourself some money in the process by knowing which fruits and vegetables are lowest in pesticides and you can get away with not buying organic.
The 12 fruits and vegetables that are the worst pesticide offenders and made the Dirty Dozen include:
- Celery
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Nectarines
- Bell Peppers
- Spinach
- Cherries
- Kale/Collard Greens
- Potatoes
- Grapes (Imported)
EWG has found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. NASTY! Limit your exposure and consume the “Dirty Dozen” when you can afford to buy them certified organic.
Now this is were you can save yourself some money! Those who eat from the “Clean 15” conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. You don’t necessarily have to buy these fruits and vegetables organic and still lower your dietary pesticide consumption. When your pocket book is showing more lint than loot purchase these fruits and vegetables instead:
- Onions
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Mangos
- Sweet Peas
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Sweet Potato
- Honeydew Melon
Its a good idea to have these two lists handy when heading to the market, so you can shop smarter, save money, and lower your families pesticide intake.
Watch Dr. Andrew Weil’s short video as he explains the importance of using the EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
Shop smart, be healthy, be happy!
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