When Should You Buy Organic?
One of the biggest debates as we peruse the produce aisle is whether or not to buy organic. Most folks know that eating organic fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases. However, in this economy, sometimes our wallets override our emotions. Well, I’m here to tell you that there is a loophole to get out of the guilt we may have when not buying organic. If you’re looking to do right by your body without breaking the bank, you will be happy to find out that you can skimp here and there!
Two lists were compiled with data from the US Department of Agriculture; one is The Dirty Dozen and the other is The Clean 15. Tests were run to determine the amount of pesticide residue found in non-organic fruits and vegetables after they had been pressure washed. The produce that made The Dirty Dozen list tested positive for at least 47 different chemicals, with some testing positive for as many as 67. And that wasn’t just in the skin. They found traces all the way down into the seeds! By making sure that you stick to organic when buying the fruit and veggies from this list, you can reduce your exposure to harmful toxins by as much as 80 percent.
If you can’t afford to buy organic all the time, you can still rest easy. Purchasing conventional, non-organic produce from The Clean 15 list is likely fine, as those were the least affected by chemicals. Mainly due to their thicker skin, The Clean 15 are able to fight toxin absorption much better than those on The Dirty Dozen list. Of course, I’m an advocate of buying local and organic produce whenever possible. But in this day and age, we could all use a financial break every now and again, so here’s a little pass when you need one.
When you MUST buy organic:
1. celery
2. peaches
3. strawberries
4. apples
5. domestic blueberries
6. nectarines
7. sweet bell peppers
8. spinach, kale and collard greens
9. cherries
10. potatoes
11. imported grapes
12. lettuce
When you can skip it:
1. onions
2. avocados
3. sweet corn
4. pineapples
5. mangoes
6. sweet peas
7. asparagus
8. kiwi fruit
9. cabbage
10. eggplant
11. cantaloupe
12. watermelon
13. grapefruit
14. sweet potatoes
15. sweet onions
While it is said that it’s safe to consume The Clean 15, never miss out on a thorough wash of your produce. In fact, conventional as well as organic produce should always be washed and treated with a special veggie wash. Even when eating organic, your produce can be touched by 20 sets of hands before it ends up on your fork, so take precautions for your health. Shop smart, stay healthy and save your money for rainy days whenever you can!
Carolyn Scott is the executive producer, creator, host, and writer of The Healthy Voyager brand. Her web series, radio show, site, blog and social network show you how to live, and travel, healthy and green.
Photo Credit: Darren Kirby
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8 Comments
Great question! Yes, Europe is quite a bit different as far as pesticides go. The UK has begun to follow suit but olives from places such as Italy or Greece are pretty safe. Always opt for organic whenever you can but just like I said in the article, we live in tough economic times so we have to shop as smart as possible ; ) And we can’t afford to make ourselves crazy about all of the possible health woes as that is just as unhealthy. So long as you’re not downing a jar a day, I think you’re good! Opa!!!
Thank you so much for a wonderful article and for the 2 lists! Very helpful!
SO helpful. thanks! :)
Wow, very eye-opening. I haven’t been buying organic recently (for financial reasons) but now that I can make some more educated and selective choices, I may start again.
Great article. I try to buy orgainc fruit and veggies but sometimes my grocer doesn’t carry all. I’m going to print this so I can carry with me and in a pinch can go with the 15 unorganic if need be.
Thank you so much for the list! I love peaches but good luck finding decent organic ones.
When it comes to what people buy, the Organic Trade Association would caution people against the idea of limiting their organic purchases to the list of items outlined in this blog. Doing so misses an important point: buying organic is about more than keeping pesticides out of our bodies. It is about supporting a system of sustainable agricultural management that promotes soil health and fertility through the use of such methods as crop rotation and cover cropping, which nourish plants, foster species diversity, help combat climate change , prevent damage to valuable water resources, and protect farmers and farmers’ families from exposure to harmful chemicals. In this sense, buying organic is a commitment to the bigger, more complex picture of which our personal health is a part.
In thinking about which organic products to buy, consider this: instead of focusing your organic purchases on a particular category of items, choose organic versions of the products you buy most. Whether that is milk, produce, or personal care products, buying organic will not only help reduce your exposure to harmful synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, but also support a system of agricultural management that is great for the planet.
Organic. It’s worth it.
Thank you for the article, Carolyn. I do have a question. Occasionally I want to buy something imported from Europe, like olives, that do not specify that they are organic. However, I have heard that pesticides are not used in Europe the same way they are in the U.S., perhaps not at all (?, due to different laws. If this is true, then a person could feel pretty good about stuff imported from Europe. But I really don’t know. Can you tell me anything about the use of pesticides in Europe? Thanks!
August 12, 2010