Hi everyone,
Here in the Midwest, we are getting close to the wonderful part of the year with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables coming our way. I look forward to having a selection of local produce, as well as our favorite CSA, Crazy Daisy Farm
Now is a good time to consider the advantages of eating local and organic. The economy has dealt many of us a rough hand the past couple of years and I understand the need for having to carefully manage the grocery budget as well as anyone. However, there are a few areas where I won’t skimp and eating healthy food is one of them. It is a conscious decision on our part to spend a bit more on the best quality for our meals and not splurge on a meal out as often.
The Environmental Working Group developed a list and published a handy guide to help you make the best choices when it comes to pesticides on your food. The lists are known as the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15.
The Dirty Dozen are the conventionally grown vegetables that are the most contaminated with an average intake of 10 pesticides. The fruits and vegetables on this list should come from an organic resource. On the other hand, the Clean 15 are the fruits and vegetables with the least contamination from conventionally grown resource with an average intake of two pesticides.
Dirty Dozen – Purchase organic if possible
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear
As an addition, a friend of mine mentioned, after reading this post, that she thought potatoes were on the list and I also thought the same with spinach. I did a little more research and think this is a very valid list, but also found a couple of resources saying to add potatoes and spinach. It really doesn’t cost that much more to buy organic spinach and it is really worth not taking a chance. If you buy conventionally grown potatoes, scrub, scrub, scrub!
Clean 15 – Conventionally grown – lowest in pesticides
1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato
Visit the Environmental Working Group website and download a free pdf pocket guide or an iPhone app with these lists so you can have them handy when you shop.
Take care,
Judy
http://www.localfoodconnections.com
May 5th, 2010 at 9:06 am
I have learned tomatoes are one of the first two things you should replace and always buy organic ketchup? This is all right behind milk as the first two things to go organic on? You list says tomatoes are okay or at least tolerable.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Hi Janice,
Organic ketchup is also preferred because it does not contain high fructose corn syrup, which is a huge concern.
Also, this is not my list. It is a list from the Environmental Working Group. I buy as much organically as I possibly can afford. Sometimes there are sacrifices but items such as potatoes, spinach, lettuce and some fruits are not a conventional option for me.