Prioritize Your Organic Purchases
I love having organic vegetables in my backyard. It’s so much easier to shop 30 feet from my back door than in the crowded grocery store. And after a few seasons, it’s probably less expensive, too.
But if you can’t grow your own vegetables, you may find the following list of fruits and veggies helpful to prioritize your organic purchases. Created by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, the list ranks the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables from pesticide residues and the 12 least contaminated.
The EWG also makes the excellent point that it’s better to eat conventional fruits and vegetables than none at all.
“The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure,” according to the EWG Website.
Eating fruits and vegetables is a vital part of losing weight and getting proper nutrition.
The 12 Most Contaminated:
- Apples
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Nectarines – imported
- Grapes – imported
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Potatoes
- Blueberries – domestic
The 12 Least Contaminated:
- Onions
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapples
- Avocado
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas
- Mangoes
- Eggplant
- Cantaloupe – domestic
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Sweet Potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Mushrooms
Source: Environmental Working Group
+ Reach Your Weight Loss Goals with Personal Training
+ Take a Nutritional Assessment
Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.