Most of us know that eating organic food has the benefits of more nutrients per mouthful, better flavour and taste for some foods like carrots, tomatoes and chicken, as well as none of the detrimental effects of pesticides. Don’t get me started on pesticides – I’ll write a whole blog on the negative effects on our bodies from these hormonally active (‘xenoestrogenic’) toxins that can negatively impact our fertility, health and longevity! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently updated it’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. It lists the “Dirty Dozen” (which now is really the dirty 15, but that doesn’t sound as catchy!) that are the ones to focus on when you’re buying organic vegies. The “Clean 15” contain less residues, and are less problematic.
Please note that eating ANY vegetables and fruit far outweighs the benefits of any pesticide exposure, so don’t be put off eating veg and fruit if you can’t afford organic foods.
You can go to the website and download a nifty coloured printout to take shopping with you at: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
Happy Shopping!
The Dirty Dozen – Buy these organic:
Apples
Celery
Cherry
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Grapes
Hot Peppers
Nectarines
Peaches
Potatoes
Spinach
Strawberries
Capsicum
Kale
Summer Squash & Zucchini
The Clean 15: Lowest in Pesticide:
Asparagus
Avocado
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Corn
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Kiki
Mango
Mushroom
Onion
Papaya
Pineapple
Sweet Peas
Sweet Potatoes