In an ideal world, all produce would be grown without pesticides and we could all afford to buy Organic food. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. When I go to a grocery store, I know I should be buying Organic, but as a grad student on a budget, it’s not always possible. If you’re in the same boat – read on! Every year the Environmental Working Group tests conventional produce for pesticide levels and releases their findings. Below is this year’s list of the 12 most important foods to buy Organic:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale + Collards
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Peppers (bell + hot)
- Celery
- Tomatoes
Because of the structure of these fruits and veggies, they absorb higher levels of harmful pesticides than others do. Ingesting pesticides can negatively affect your gut health, your hormone balance, and your skin health (ruddy complexion because of chemicals, no thank you!)
The most important thing is to incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet, regardless of whether they are Organic or not. But if you do have the means, while you may not be able to buy exclusively Organic food, as long as you can prioritize buying the above foods from the Organic section you will be saving yourself a good deal of pesticide exposure. Save this list on your phone for the next time you are at the grocery store, and happy produce shopping!
Written by GUADS staff member Kate with contributions from eatingwell.com
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