Have you heard of the Dirty Dozen? It's a comprehensive list of the fruits and vegetables you should consider buying organic. They are the most likely to be highly contaminated by pesticides. As I look over the list, it makes sense. Most of the things on there have very thin skins - most likely easier to absorb the nasty chemicals that are sprayed on them. I suppose the loose, leafy greens have a lot of nooks and crannies where the chemicals can pool up and marinate. I'm so glad to see that avocados are on the low pesticide list! I love stocking up on them when they are in season. If you are trying to save a little cash and also eat healthy & organic- not easy! Here is a simple way to work around it a little- buy organic when you can but know that you can get by with the items that our lowest in pesticides (and maybe stock up when they are on sale. Mmmmm.. recipes already popping up in my head. An avocado mango salsa? Cabbage soup? Tropical GRILLED fruit salad? yum....
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Dirty Dozen Plus
Most contaminated with pesticides
- Apples
- Celery
- Sweet bell peppers
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Nectarines
- Grapes
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Blueberries
- Potatoes
Plus:
- Green beans
- Kale/Greens
Lowest in Pesticide:
- Onions
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapples
- Avocado
- Cabbage
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Mangoes
- Eggplant
- Kiwi
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Watermelon
- Mushrooms
Here's a good article with more info
