Clean Of Pesticides

Clean Of Pesticides

This list is of conventionally grown produce with the least amount of pesticide being used.

Here is the list of the Clean 15.

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms 

Since organic produce at the grocery store is usually more expensive than conventionally grown produce, choosing from this list of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables may help you limit your exposure to harmful pesticides and still be cost effective..

But what if you want apples or some of the other foods that turn up high on in pesticides, here are a few tips to that will help you get the variety you’d like.

·         Buy locally and in season. When produce is in season, it’s more plentiful and it should be less expensive than other times of the year.

·         Pick your own. Again, this is a way of buying locally and seasonally, but you’ll get even more bang for your buck if you pick your own.

• Learn to preserve/freeze food. If you do get seasonal produce at a great price, preserve some of it for eating when it’s out of season. You don’t have to know how to can (although learning how to can is a skill you’ll be happy to have). You can freeze seasonal berries or make a large batch of slow cooker applesauce in the fall and freeze it in small containers. Freezing takes no special skills.
• Buy in bulk. Some grocery stores sell bags of organic apples or organic potatoes for less per pound than if you bought them by the piece.
• Grow your own. Take a look at the Dirty Dozen and some of the other fruits and vegetables and see if you can grow any of them yourself. Cilantro came at number 13. If you have a sunny spot on a windowsill or a fire escape, you can grow potted herbs. Sweet bell peppers (number 8) can be grown in a small pot also. If you have a large sunny yard, consider planting apple trees or blueberry bushes as a long-term investment.

Of course, it would be great if all the fruits and vegetables we ate were organic, and if it’s something you can afford, good for you. But for many of us, balancing our budgets with our need to eat healthy, nutritional foods takes a little juggling.

Most Dirty Produce

Here’s the most recent Dirty Dozen list:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale

Making its debut on the list at number 13 is cilantro. The USDA tested the herb for the first time last year and found residue from 34 unapproved pesticides on cilantro.

My goal is to help shoppers reduce their exposure to pesticides. EWG states that “the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure,” but pesticide intake can be lowered “substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce.”

This site is not intended, in any way shape or form to constitute, nor should it be considered, medical advice. The information contained on this website, does not serve or purport to serve as a substitution for the medical advice of a qualified practitioner, clinician, or qualified health care provider. The information in and through this website is general in nature. the information on this website can be improved or updated without notice. I am under no obligation to update this website, so information in the website may be out of date. I do not warranty the accuracy or completeness on this website. Use of the information on this website is entirely at your own risk. Please do further research for yourself.