Fruits and Veggies: SHOULD YOU ALWAYS BUY ORGANIC? by Daniel Lambraia
Should You Always Choose Organic?...Maybe Not Some fruits and vegetables should always be bought organic, but some traditionally grown produce is fine to include in a pesticide-free diet. The reasoning often has to do with a protective outer skin. For example, pineapples have a thicker skin than strawberries, so they tend to have significantly less pesticides. According to recent research, there are 12 fruits and vegetables you should always buy organic, but 18 that you can opt for conventionally grown options.Â
From a USDA Study... The consumer desire for organic foods has been growing in recent years. A 2013 USDA study found that almost â…” of produce samples tested contained pesticide residue. In fact, 165 different pesticides were found in the 3,015 produce samples tested.
The "Dirty Dozen" Every year, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a guide that identifies fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest pesticide residues. Because high-pesticide produce has been linked to poorer fertility and nervous system problems in children, it’s important to be conscious of the produce you’re consuming. If you have access to organic produce, here are the 12 fruits and vegetables that you should always buy organic: https://www.ewg.org/release/out-now-ewg-s-2018-shopper-s-guide-pesticides-produce#.W0YLZ9hKii7
The Dirty Dozen with
Proceed
Caution
Strawberries — ⅓ of all
Spinach — has almost
Nectarines — 94% of
samples contained at
twice as much pesticide
conventional samples
least 10 pesticides
residue by weight when
contained two or more
Apples — 80% contained
compared to any other
pesticides
diphenylamine, a
crop
Peaches — 99% contained
pesticide that’s banned in
Grapes — 96% contained
pesticide residue
Europe
some pesticide residue
Potatoes
Cherries
Tomatoes
Sweet Bell Peppers
Pears
Celery
list courtesy of http://www.eatingwell.com/article/15806/the-dirty-dozen-12-foods-you-should-buy-organic/
The "Clean Eighteen" You can eat this non-organic produce without significant exposure to pesticides Asparagus
Onion
Avocado
Mango
Cabbage
Mushroom
Cantaloupe Carrots (peeled) Cauliflower
Papaya Pineapple Sweet Corn
Eggplant
Sweet Peas
Grapefruit
Sweet Potato
Kiwi
Watermelon
https://www.salon.com/2015/06/23/18_foods_you_dont_need_to_buy_organic_partner/
In many parts of the country, it is difficult to access organic produce. These “food deserts” are usually in urban areas, like New York City. Additionally, organic produce is often not available for low-income families because of the higher prices. Knowing the list above can help everyone save money and the hassle of locating organic options in a pinch.
Whether they’re organic or not, eating more fruits and vegetables is better than eating none at all. The nutritional value and benefits for your body are key for a healthy, well-balanced diet. However, if organic produce is a viable option for you, you should be sure to buy organic when it matters.
Thank You! Find me on Medium to read my full-length blog article on this topic. Or follow my nutrition blog at DanielLambraia.net
https://medium.com/@dlambraia/fruits-and-veggies-should-you-always-buy-organic-fdf87293027e