A question that comes up a lot but very little information is generally advertised on this topic.
When it comes to fruit and veggies, I am firm believer that the quantity we consume is my first thoughts. If it means you eating one vegetable a day that is organic or eating 4 different veggies, I know what I will be suggesting. That being said, research from the British Journal of Nutrition found organically grown crops (fruit, vegetables & cereals) to have a significantly higher amount of antioxidants and pesticide residues were four times more likely to be found in conventional crops than organic.
In the US, the environmental working group (EWG) a non-profit organisation, have come up with a ‘shopper’s guide’ of which fruits and vegetables we should ideally be eating organic.
The list it collated by data from samples of conventionally grown produce record the amount of pesticide residue present. For example; Strawberries; one sample tested for astonishing 22 pesticide residues, where as an avocado - “fewer than 1% of conventional avocados tested positive for pesticides”
This guide gives you an idea of which items have the least amount of pesticides (CLEAN) and which has the most (DIRTY). An extensive list can be found on their website, but see below for the highest ranking in each....
Whilst this information has been collated from the US – It certainly is some food for thought!
CLEAN 15 & THE DIRTY DOZEN ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
Clean 15
Avocado
Sweetcorn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Sweet frozen peas
Aubergine/ egg plant
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kiwi
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Honey dew melon
Cantaloupe melon
Dirty dozen
Strawberry
Spinach
Kale, Collard and Mustard greens
Nectarine
Apple
Grapes
Cherries
Peaches
Pears
Bell and hot peppers
Celery
Tomatoes