Should You Buy Organic Produce All the Time?
Depends on whether you’re reaching for a melon or eying those cherries on sale. It’s not necessary that all your produce be of the organic variety. Especially since organic produce tends to cost a little more and can be difficult to find in some regions.
The concern with non organic produce is that it is routinely sprayed with pesticides that can leave a residue on the outer skin. Unfortunately, fruits and vegetables that have very thin outer skins like grapes are at risk of having higher concentrations of this residue than thick-skinned produce like bananas.
So if you want to reduce the risk of consuming this residue (which doesn’t just wash off) you’ll want to be organic versions of what is often referred to as the “Dirty Dozen”. The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables known to have higher levels of pesticide residue.
You can also visit my Nutrition Resource page for more information on pesticides, harmful ingredients, and a list of organic food brands you can trust.
The Dirty Dozen
Go organic when buying:
Apples
Bell peppers
Celery
Cherries
Grapes
Nectarines
Pears
Peaches
Potatoes
Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries
