Avoiding Pesticides in the Produce Section

Organic.

Does that usually mean expensive to you?

If it does, you’re going to love – and hate – the latest news from the Environmental Working Group – a nonprofit research group based in Washington DC.

Each year, the EWG publishes two lists – one for the most contaminated fruits and vegetables, the other for the least worst offenders.

In my house, we use the Clean 15™ list to tell us which foods are probably just fine in the regular produce section. The Dirty Dozen Plus™ list, those edibles considered the most contaminated, is a guide for fruits and vegetables that are probably best bought in the organic section.

Can’t afford organic? Consider this advice from the Environmental Working Group: “…eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all.”

It’s also a vital part to eating healthy and losing weight.

The Clean 15™

onions
sweet corn
pineapples
avocado
cabbage
sweet peas
asparagus
mangoes
eggplant
kiwi
cantaloupe (domestic)
sweet potatoes
grapefruit
watermelon
mushrooms

Want to avoid pesticides? Watch out for the Dirty Dozen Plus™

apples
celery
sweet bell peppers
peaches
strawberries
imported nectarines
grapes
spinach
lettuce
cucumbers
domestic blueberries
potatoes

The EWG also recommends going organic when it comes to green beans and kale/greens because they contain toxic insecticides.

Source: Environmental Working Group news release

Alice Warchol is a freelance health blog writer and fitness instructor

+ Read about Diabetes Counseling

+ Learn about Sports Performance Programs