Want to improve your diet?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) encourages eating fruits and vegetables. And why shouldn’t it? Fruits and vegetables are the planets greatest sources of vitamins and minerals. The strongest animals, elephants, horses, rhinos, gorillas, and many others are all plant eaters. But not all modern fruits and vegetables are safe to eat. Some of the most common store bought items are contaminated with pesticides even after power washing. Furthermore, GMO products from corn and soybeans have made their way into processed foods. And what’s worse, GMO foods do not have to be labeled. To help everyday people battle the evils of fruits and vegetables ruined by big business in agriculture, EWG has created the following helpful list of 12 worst offenders of pesticide residue and 15 foods safer for consumption. They call them the “Dirty Twelve” and the “Clean Fifteen.” Basically, if you can peel it, commercial products can be safe. However, if it has an edible skin, you should buy organic or you risk pesticide contamination.

Click here for full article by EWG.

EWG’s Dirty Twelve + (2013)

Fruits and vegetables in supermarkets MOST contaminated with pesticides. Some answers may surprise you? Source: EWG

apples
celery
cherry tomatoes
cucumbers
grapes
hot peppers
nectarines – imported
peaches
potatoes
spinach
strawberries
sweet bell peppers
kale / collard greens +
summer squash +

EWG’s Clean Fifteen (2013)

Fruits and vegetables in supermarkets LEAST contaminated with pesticides. Sourve: EWG

asparagus
avocados
cabbage
cantaloup
sweet corn
egg plant
grapefruit
kiwi
mangos
mushrooms
onions
papayas
pineapples
sweet peas – frozen
sweet potatoes

CNN: Toxic fruit and veggies?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta tours a grocery store to show us which foods have the highest levels of pesticide residue. This youtube video is also available at CNN.

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