It’s not only a film from the 1960’s staring Charles Bronson and Ernest Borgnine, it’s your food. In recent studies, showcased by the Environmental Working Group, the dirty dozen are the fruits and veggies with the highest amount of pesticides on them. Whether or not you buy these organic, it’s still important information to know on what you’re putting into your body.
1. Apples. Yes, they are normally at the tops of these lists, but there’s a reason. More than 40 different pesticides have been detected on apples. 40 different chemical combinations and nasties just sticking to that nice juicy apple. And guess what? Those same residues can be found in both apple sauce and apple juice, so maybe it’s time to get all organic apple products.
2. Celery. Though this one doesn’t fit in the categories that our offenders fall into (tree fruits, leafy greens, and berries), celery is one you should remember. Especially since there are over 60 different pesticides on celery. Don’t like the idea of buying organic celery? Try picking on onions, broccoli or radishes.
3. Strawberries. A common contender of the dirty dozen lists, there are about 60 different pesticides found on strawberries. Like apples, fungus prompts farmers to spray their crops with pesticide. If you’re not looking forward to purchasing organic strawberries, try pineapples and kiwis instead!
4. Peaches. Another tree fruit with a high amount of pesticides (another that has over 60)! There are fewer pesticides found in canned peaches, if that’s a concern. Safer alternatives to peaches would be tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, and watermelon.
5. Spinach. Known for giving Popeye his characteristic strength, this leafy green is has been found to have over 50 different pesticides on it. Unfortunately, both frozen and canned spinach have been found to have nearly as many pesticides as regular spinach.
6. Nectarines (Imported). For the most part, this applies to imported nectarines, with around 33 pesticides detected on them. These are up there with some of the most contaminated tree fruits! If you can’t get these organic, get mango or papaya as a substitute.
7. Grapes (Imported). These common treats have over 30 different pesticides on them! The same applies to raisins, which just makes you wonder about wine too.
8. Sweet Bell Peppers. These favorites in their traffic light packaging are another fruit that tends to have high pesticides residue. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers, in all their colorful varieties.
9. Potatoes. Whether you mash’em, boil’em, or stick’em in a stew, these are a good vegetable to consider purchasing organic. These favorite veggies have more than 35 different pesticides on them.
10. Blueberries. These are another common offender on dirty dozen lists. Mostly because blueberries have more than 50 pesticides on them. Frozen blueberries are somewhat less contaminated.
11. Lettuce. Like Spinach, lettuce is high with the amount of pesticides—more than 50!
12. Kale. Last but not least, this super food is has rounded out the dirty dozen lists for the past two years now because of the high pesticide residue found on it. Alternatives for kale include cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
So next time you go grocery shopping, try to substitute these foods for their organic variation or an alternative!
For more information, check out these links:
The Daily Green
Environmental Working Group
best,
danielle p.
2. Celery. Though this one doesn’t fit in the categories that our offenders fall into (tree fruits, leafy greens, and berries), celery is one you should remember. Especially since there are over 60 different pesticides on celery. Don’t like the idea of buying organic celery? Try picking on onions, broccoli or radishes.
3. Strawberries. A common contender of the dirty dozen lists, there are about 60 different pesticides found on strawberries. Like apples, fungus prompts farmers to spray their crops with pesticide. If you’re not looking forward to purchasing organic strawberries, try pineapples and kiwis instead!
4. Peaches. Another tree fruit with a high amount of pesticides (another that has over 60)! There are fewer pesticides found in canned peaches, if that’s a concern. Safer alternatives to peaches would be tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, and watermelon.
5. Spinach. Known for giving Popeye his characteristic strength, this leafy green is has been found to have over 50 different pesticides on it. Unfortunately, both frozen and canned spinach have been found to have nearly as many pesticides as regular spinach.
6. Nectarines (Imported). For the most part, this applies to imported nectarines, with around 33 pesticides detected on them. These are up there with some of the most contaminated tree fruits! If you can’t get these organic, get mango or papaya as a substitute.
7. Grapes (Imported). These common treats have over 30 different pesticides on them! The same applies to raisins, which just makes you wonder about wine too.
8. Sweet Bell Peppers. These favorites in their traffic light packaging are another fruit that tends to have high pesticides residue. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers, in all their colorful varieties.
9. Potatoes. Whether you mash’em, boil’em, or stick’em in a stew, these are a good vegetable to consider purchasing organic. These favorite veggies have more than 35 different pesticides on them.
10. Blueberries. These are another common offender on dirty dozen lists. Mostly because blueberries have more than 50 pesticides on them. Frozen blueberries are somewhat less contaminated.
11. Lettuce. Like Spinach, lettuce is high with the amount of pesticides—more than 50!
12. Kale. Last but not least, this super food is has rounded out the dirty dozen lists for the past two years now because of the high pesticide residue found on it. Alternatives for kale include cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
So next time you go grocery shopping, try to substitute these foods for their organic variation or an alternative!
For more information, check out these links:
The Daily Green
Environmental Working Group
best,
danielle p.
