Friday, April 24, 2009

Pesticides in our Fruits and Vegetables...

Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are sadly laden with pesticides.

Firstly, these pesticides apparently break down the nutrient content of the fruit or
vegetable. So we are getting much less of the nutritional value we are searching for in our
Greens.

Secondly, they just taste better! Try it yourself...do a taste test. The Organic (pesticide free) fruits and veggies are bursting with luscious flavor!

Finally, Pesticide ingestion is obviously not good for us. It has been known to cause mild symptoms like headaches and fatigue as well as being linked to cancer and parkinsons disease. Please pass me the Organic Fruits and Veggies!!

I have found the list below to be extremely helpful in shopping for my fruit and vegetables. You will find that some are listed with much lower levels of pesticides so it is ok to buy conventional in those cases.

Let's face it, organic is expensive so a list like this will help you navigate the produce department with ease and without crashing your budget.

1. I highly suggest trying out Trader Joe's for well priced organics. The package will clearly tell you if it is organic.

2. I know Costco sells organic spinach.

3. Your most interesting and fun option is to hit a farmers market in your area. The produce will be organic, plus it is usually local so your veggies were probably just plucked from the soil! Nothing taste better than fresh plucked veggies or fruit.

The full list is below...but, here is a link for a wallet version to take with you to the store!

http://www.foodnews.org/

RANK FRUIT OR VEGGIE SCORE
1 (worst)Peach100 (highest pesticide load)
2Apple93
3Sweet Bell Pepper83
4Celery82
5Nectarine81
6Strawberries80
7Cherries73
8Kale69
9Lettuce67
10Grapes - Imported66
11Carrot63
12Pear63
13Collard Greens60
14Spinach58
15Potato56
16Green Beans53
17Summer Squash53
18Pepper51
19Cucumber50
20Raspberries46
21Grapes - Domestic44
22Plum44
23Orange44
24Cauliflower39
25Tangerine37
26Mushrooms36
27Banana34
28Winter Squash34
29Cantaloupe33
30Cranberries33
31Honeydew Melon30
32Grapefruit29
33Sweet Potato29
34Tomato29
35Broccoli28
36Watermelon26
37Papaya20
38Eggplant20
39Cabbage17
40Kiwi13
41Sweet Peas - Frozen10
42Asparagus10
43Mango9
44Pineapple7
45Sweet Corn - Frozen2
46Avocado1
47 (best)Onion1 (lowest pesticide load)

1 comment:

Lisa Damian said...

Local organic Farmer's Markets also have the added benefit of less shipping. Thus, your produce is fresher, picked after it is vine-ripened, and creates less pollution because it hasn't had to travel as far. It's a great way to support local farmers, get the benefit of fantastic produce, and be green in the process. A real win-win all the way around!