Image via ebfarm.com
All food is not created equal. As you read in our post Why Organic?, buying organic means no genetically modified organisms (“frankenfoods”,) synthetic pesticides or herbicides in your fruits and vegetables, among other benefits (check out the video below.) Still, organic food is not readily available everywhere the way it is here in Los Angeles. So, for those of you who can’t always buy organic but wish to give your liver a break and avoid eating as many pesticides as you can, here is a wonderful tool: The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
Compiled by the Environmental Working Group after extensive testing and research on the varying amount of pesticides in each conventionally grown fruit and vegetable, the Guide will help you steer clear of the foods that contain the most toxic chemicals and feel OK about buying non-organic crops that have the lowest amounts of bad stuff. The Group checked for how many different pesticides (some items like bell peppers had up to 11 pesticides in one sample!) as well as how much of each pesticide a crop sample had, and provides an overall percentage rating of most toxic to least toxic.
The Dirty Dozen are the foods with the most pesticides (in order from most to less,) which you should definitely buy organic (the pesticides are in the conventionally grown crops, not the organic ones. Remember, “organic” by law means no synthetic pesticides.) The Clean 15 are the foods with the least amount of pesticides (in order from least to more,) which you are OK buying not organic (conventionally grown.)
You can download a copy of the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides to keep for reference (fits perfectly on your iPhone!) at www.foodnews.org. Be sure to donate $5 to this org – they’re helping keep your liver and kidneys clear of toxic chemicals!
Dirty Dozen (Highest in pesticides – Be sure to buy these organic!):
- Peach
- Apple
- Bell Pepper
- Celery
- Nectarine
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Grapes (imported)
- Carrot
- Pear
Clean 15 (Lowest in pesticides):
- Onion
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn (but this is a top GMO crop, so I always buy it organic!)
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Papaya
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet Potato
There you have it. We always opt for and recommend organic here at HLife, if availability and money permit, as that is the only way to completely steer clear of all synthetic pesticides. As the Environmental Working Group notes on their site, studies show that pesticides are directly linked to cancer, nervous system diseases, and reproductive problems. Also, buying organic is an environmentally sound choice.
Remember that you change your body for the better or for the worse with every thing you put in it, so, get educated, be good to yourself and the planet, and eat for health as well as taste!
Great article! But let’s not get too carried away, we still need to consume the ‘dirty dozen’. Organic is best of course, but if not possible, a good scrub with a veggie brush helps.
I find it extraordinary how many toxic chemicals get added to our food (and water) supply – all with no mainstream links to subsequent problems with our CNS (central nervous systems). Sorry to plug this post – but it’s very relevant here: http://www.healthysalesexec.com/blog/water-intake/188/
Anyway guys – keep up the good work!
[...] ✰ Consumption of cruciferous vegetables such as kale is known to have significant cardiovascular benefits. Preparation: For salads you can cut them very finely (even the stems), add something sweet like dried cranberries to offset the sour or bitter taste of the leaf, and then soften the leaf by tossing it well in olive oil, lime, and sea salt. You can also lightly steam kale (for about 50 seconds) not just to soften but also to take the bitterness away and neutralize its oxalic acid. I like to take the raw leafs and just throw them in my morning or afternoon smoothie. You can also saute them with garlic and a tad of vegan butter and sprinkle some sesame seed oil once it’s served. It can also be added to a morning tofu scramble, or be served as a side. Always buy them organic because kale is one of the top 12 pesticide foods. [...]
[...] or any added anything OR that is not organic. Apples are in the top 12 pesticide list (see post Food Pesticides). Once ready, toss and mix the salad very throughly, over and over until you start seeing the [...]
[...] eat them ORGANIC. This is because they are on the list of the top 12 pesticides foods (see our post Food Pesticides: The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15). Like Maryl said in the amazing Digestive System Part 2 post “THE POINT OF EATING IS TO ABSORB [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Silvie Celiz, HLIFE. HLIFE said: New Blog Post: Food Pesticides: The Dirty Dozen And The Clean 15. http://ow.ly/Msq7 [...]