GreenCravers.com

A simple way to reduce pesticide intake
in your fruits & veggies

by Diana

Time to read: 1.5 minutes. How would you like to lower your family’s pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths?  Did you know you can?  Just by buying the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables as organic.  When you eat “The Dirty Dozen” (most contaminated fruits and vegetables) non-organically you’ll be exposed to an average of 10 pesticides a day. When you choose non-organic produce from the 15 least-contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll consume fewer than 2 pesticides per day.

You do not have to buy exclusively  organic.  Get smart and apply what I’m sharing with you below — tomorrow.  Next time you go to the store or local farmer’s market.

Keep The Dirty Dozen in mind when you are in the store.  I know, I know… most of the time we’re shopping with children.  And I admit it’s not easy to keep eye on them — AND to keep track of what we’re putting in our cart.

What are the Dirty Dozen?  Ok.  Here we go.  In other words these are the most dangerous items to eat and, therefore, most important to eat ORGANIC. Ranked in order of their ability to “bring harm” to you they are:

Celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale / collard greens, cherries, potatoes, grapes.

Tip 1: Print this list

Jot down the list above or print the complete list below.  Keep it in your wallet or purse.  Fruits/vegetables at the top of this list absorb/maintain fewer pesticides.  Those at the bottom have more.  Hence, they are the dirty dozen.

Think of it this way: Everything you’re eating that falls at toward the top of the list that is non-organic is bringing you less pesticides.  Those are fairly safe to buy just about anywhere.  Everything at the bottom that you’re eating is dangerous… and should be sourced as USDA organic.

Tip 2: A simple, cost-effective scrub

Also, you should always wash your produce by using 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.  It helps reduce pesticides — greatly.  Take these 2 steps today and apply them next time when you are taking care of the food for your family!

Source: Environmental Working Group

photo credit: Dain Sandoval.