You are Indeed What You Eat
It is amazing what we put into our bodies, and no I am not just referring to the mega-super-jumbo-burger. The seemingly good things we eat aren’t always what they seem either. I know most of us think we’re doing what is best by having lots of fruits and veggies but if they are laden with the toxic chemicals found in pesticides then we may as well be eating fast food after all.
Buying organic produce can be tough on the wallet, so the Environmental Working Group was nice enough to break down what they have researched to be “The Dirty Dozen.” These are twelve items which you should spring for the next time you’re in the super market and choose organic instead (these have the highest levels of potentially dangerous pesticides when processed traditionally) –
- Peaches
- Apples
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Pears
- Grapes (imported)
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
Additionally, here are twelve fruits/vegetables which usually don’t have as many pesticides found on them when processed traditionally, so you’re a little safer when not buying them organic –
- Onions
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn (frozen)
- Pineapples
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas (frozen)
- Kiwi
- Bananas
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Papaya
Unfortunately, washing produce doesn’t really do the trick of getting rid of the pesticides either. The EWG found that people can reduce their risk of exposure to pesticides up to 90% by eliminating the “Dirty Dozen” (better yet purchasing their organically grown alternatives), and consuming the safer twelve instead.
This summer - go one step beyond organic and check out a u-pick farm… nothing quite beats eating fresh berries and other delicious produce that you picked yourself!