Mmmm… those berries look good, don’t they?! Well, if they’re not organic, they could be just as toxic as Snow White’s apple!
Some fruits & vegetables are sprayed with more pesticides than others and are therefore more toxic to your body. Each year, the EWG (Environmental Working Group) rates the most- and least- pesticide-laden produce items and they release the report to consumers.
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen is the list of the 12 most pesticide-laden produce items that you should ALWAYS buy organic – it’s worth the extra dollar!
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
**To be safe, I buy all organic lettuce & berries**
The Clean Fifteen
Aaaand the 15 least-contaminated produce items that don’t always need to be organic.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Sweet Peas (frozen)
- Onions
- Papayas
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew
If you visit the EWG website, you can read through a FAQ section and download a pocket guide for free so you can be an informed shopper during your next trip to the grocery store!
So interesting! If I don’t buy organic, is there a way to clean the fruits and veggies from pesticides?
Excellent question!! This short article gives the best answer for each type of produce, based on scientific studies: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/how-to-wash-vegetables-fruits/#wash