One of the #1 things for optimal health is to go organic as much as possible. Equally, I’m a realist and understand that not everyone has access and/or the budget for organic.
However, the fact remains that consuming pesticides/herbicides on our fruits and veggies puts us at significant health risks. Yet at the same time, there’s only so much you can do.
Thankfully the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyse thousands of samples of produce every year to give us what they call the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists.
In a nutshell, the “Clean 15” is a list of produce with the least likelihood to contain pesticide residue. Basically, foods you can buy non organic as they’re less risky to our health.
Whereas, the “Dirty Dozen” is a list of produce with the most pesticide residue and therefore you ideally should buy organic.
The lists are really helpful as they help you prioritise where you spend your pennies. I know you’re dying to know what they are so let’s dive straight in …
THE CLEAN FIFTEEN
- Avocados
- Sweetcorn
- Pineapples
- Frozen sweet peas
- Onions
- Papayas
- Aubergine
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melon
These “Clean Fifteen” foods had almost zero traces of pesticides. One caveat though, sweetcorn whilst deemed clean is sadly commonly genetically modified in the USA.
THE DIRTY DOZEN
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
There’s no doubt that organic is better but it can get costly. One pro tip is to thoroughly wash your fruit and veggies and then soak them in apple cider vinegar water (10% vinegar to 90% water). This will help get rid of any pesticides and herbicides.
Be mindful of these lists when you’re at the grocery store and use it as a guideline of when to buy organic and when not to.
Above all do not stress about this. Do the best you can. Remember it’s better to consume well cleaned, non-organic vegetables than to consume no vegetables at all.
Stay healthy
Gaynor x
