Question:
Hi Leslie,
How important is it to eat organic?
Margo
Answer:
Hi Margo
The “Dirty Dozen”: Must-buy organic foods
Fruit
There are a few things that you should ALWAYS buy organic:
- Apples
- Cherries
- Grapes, imported (Chile)
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Vegetables
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Spinach
The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that even after washing, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others. Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., have developed the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables, above, that they say you should always buy organic, if possible, because their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. They sometimes cost more than 50% — but are well worth the money.
Other organic foods worth considering:
Reduce the risk of exposure to the agent believed to cause mad cow disease and minimize exposure to other potential toxins in non-organic feed. These foods contain no hormones, and antibiotics — which have been linked to increased antibacterial resistance in humans — have not been added to the food. They often cost 100 percent more than conventional products. BUT ISN'T YOUR HEALTH WORTH IT
These foods have have been found to have less or no pestiside residue:
Fruit
- Bananas
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Papaya
- Pineapples
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Onions
- Peas
But, I would advise you to eat organic whenever possible!
Seafood
Wild or farmed fish can be labeled organic, despite the presence of contaminants such as mercury and PCBs. No USDA organic certification standards for seafood — producers are allowed to make their own organic claims.
I hope that this helps....Avoid the "dirty dozen" at all costs, buy organic whenever possible.
Positive Eating!
Leslie
