I’m like most conscious shoppers: I want to buy organic, but I can’t always afford it. So I compromise: organic carrots and lettuce, but non-organic cucumbers. Compromising doesn’t have to mean sacrificing health and nutrition though–if you know which items to compromise on.
You’re probably already familiar with the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen,” a list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue, but do you know the Clean 15? Knowing these fruits and vegetables will minimize your pesticide exposure and save you money at the grocery store.
Dirty Dozen: Buy Organic!
1. peach
2. apple
3. bell pepper
4. celery
5. nectarine
6. strawberries
7. cherries
8. kale
9. lettuce
10. grapes (imported)
11. carrot
12. pear
Peaches rank number one on the Environmental Working Group’s list of the most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.Photo By Lauren Kennedy Photography/Courtesy Flickr
Clean 15: Okay to Buy Non-Organic
1. onion
2. avocado
3. sweet corn
4. pineapple
5. mango
6. asparagus
7. sweet peas
8. kiwi
9. cabbage
10. eggplant
11. papaya
12. watermelon
13. broccoli
14. tomato
15. sweet potato
For a full listing of the 47 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables, check out the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
