Thank you to the Nutrition Twins for this fabulous take on eating organic produce! Welcome to SGM – so happy to have you both 
The Nutrition Twins®
Tammy Lakatos, RD, CDN, CFT and Lyssie Lakatos, RD, CDN, CFT
Authors of Fire Up Your Metabolism and The Secret To Skinny
The Nutrition Twins Guide to Pesticides & Organic Produce:
Your Questions Answered…
Tell me more about pesticides…
Most pesticides contain several toxins. Pesticides cause cancers in cell cultures and in animals. They may also cause hormonal changes which can cause additional harm. Studies also show pesticides increase the risk of cancer in humans. The National Cancer Institute in the United States found that farmers exposed to pesticides tend to have higher than expected rates of cancer of the lymph, blood, lip, stomach, skin, prostate, brain, testes and soft tissue.
Should we stop eating fruits and vegetables?
No. Their benefits far outweigh their risks. However, weigh your risks of specific fruits and vegetables. Start by taking a look at the list of fruits and vegetables below. The ones that we call “The Dirty Dozen” are the ones that are the most heavily sprayed with pesticides. Try to buy organic versions.
Ask yourself…
How often do I eat heavily sprayed items? Then, limit your exposure to the produce that is most heavily sprayed by either buying organic, or avoiding the most heavily sprayed produce.
What about washing fruits and veggies?
Washing will not change the rank (in the lists below) of the fruits and vegetables with the highest & lowest amount of pesticides. The produce was washed & prepared for normal consumption prior to testing for pesticides. Washing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues; it clearly does not eliminate them.
What is the best thing to do?
Eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Buy These Organic:
“The Dirty Dozen”
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear
Below is a list of the least heavily sprayed fruits and vegetables. If you are watching your budget, as most of us are, you don’t have to put as much emphasis on buying organic versions of these…
- Onion
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Papaya
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet Potato
Image Credits: http://www.insidesocal.com/bargain/produce.jpg
