The Dirty Dozen

No one wants to eat dirty food, right?  Sometimes it's hard to tell what's really dirty though.  So, what is the "Dirty Dozen"? Technically, it's the Dirty Dozen Plus.  It's the top fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides.  This is primarily because you're ingesting the skins - the part directly sprayed by pesticides or fruits/veg that typically have higher levels of pesticides.  Sadly, the USA uses 1.2 BILLION pounds of pesticides a year.  Yet, only .01% of that actually reaches the intended target.  Think about it for a minute.  Where is the rest going?  That's a story for another day, but think food, air and water.  So, if possible, you should strive to buy organic versions of these various fruits and veggies.  I realize that organic options aren't always available, but I think it's important to know which ones are most susceptible to contamination.

• Apples
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Hot peppers
• Imported nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet bell peppers
• Kale/collard greens
• Summer squash
• Raspberries

There are other fruits/vegs to be aware of and the list is updated annually by the Environmental Working Group.  Check out their website for more detailed information.

If your local grocery stores don't have organic options, check for speciality food stores or local CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture).  CSA's can be expensive, but there are usually various options for amounts and frequency.  Or, an alternative would be to split a CSA with a neighbor or friend too.

I would also encourage you to thoroughly wash all of your produce.  You can buy pre-made sprays, but you can also use a simple wash of water and apple cider vinegar - 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar.

I disclose with this post, and really any future post I write, about fruits/vegetables that consuming them in any form is a much better decision than not consuming them.  Don't let the pesticides scare you, fruits and vegetables have amazing health benefits.  My whole intention is to make you aware and help you make better decisions. 

I want us all to live long, healthy lives.  The more we know, the more we can reduce our risk.

Shop and eat smart, I know you can.

Love, Lizzie

xoxo