I can’t afford to buy everything organic. What fruits and vegetables are the most important to buy organic, and which ones are safer to buy non-organic?
The EWG (Environmental Working Group) puts out their annual list of the “Dirty Dozen” (produce with the most pesticide residue), and the Clean 15 (those with the least residue).

You can download a shoppers guide here:

http://static.ewg.org/reports/2011/foodnews/pdf/2011EWGPesticideGuide.pdf

Here are the top 5 worst offenders (in other words, buy these only when organic):

  1. Apples
  2. Celery
  3. Strawberries
  4. Peaches
  5. Spinach

The ones that are safer to eat if non-organic:

  1. Onions
  2. Corn
  3. Pineapples
  4. Avocado
  5. Asparagus

My tips:

  • Begin with the foods that you and your family are consuming in the greatest quantities.
  • For kids, consider switching to organic baby food, strawberries, rice, milk, bananas, peanut butter and apples; for adults consider switching to organic coffee.

 

Beth Greer
Beth Greer, aka Super Natural Mom®, is an award-winning journalist, green holistic health educator, healthy home expert and impassioned champion of toxin-free living. She’s also a radio talk show host, and trusted consumer advocate, who is leading a movement of awareness and responsibility about healthy homes, schools and work environments. Connect with Beth on Facebook and Twitter.

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