There is a steep reality to the availability and affordability of what one can eat organic. Here is a quick little cheat-list that we give all our patients and clients. A great rule of thumb is to plan out your meals first and try to incorporate organic if possible and when necessary.
12 Most Contaminated – Buy These Organic
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries
12 Least Contaminated – Try to buy local and seasonal
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet)
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)
This is very useful. Do you know how herbs rate as far as what is safe to buy non-organic – they seem to be very hard to find anyways… thanks
What does local mean anyways? Couldn’t they still be full of pesticides? I think we have no proof on any of this to truly make these efforts…. I mean my parents are in their 80s and they laugh when they hear about organic. Isn’t it hard enough to just eat well period?
Hi Anna,
A lot of people share your frustration. However, there is a reality to turning a blind eye. First of all, what does local mean. Local means that you know where it came from and it was bought directly from farm to stand/store. So, a farmer’s market would be local. In a big box setting, you can see from where the goods orginate from. In Canada, which you are from, for example, there is a Buy Ontario program, Buy Alberta, etc…. It is mandatory that all of these things are marked in the store display areas. Also, local and seasonal. This is your best bet – if you just want to be slightly motivated about all the evils that lurk on and in your produce. Look at it this way – what requires less chemicals – tomatoes from Farmer Jim’s 25 kms up the road or from ABC Importers in Mexico….
As for your parents. That is awesome they are in their 80s and living well. Times are different now and so is the food we eat, how we live, just many, many dynamics which illustrate why all the little things matter in the what, why, and how of the food we eat.
Thanks for visiting the blog!
Hey Burt,
I would use the buy local rule on herbs and it you can – grow your own in a window box – it is simple and lets you control everything! Most people buy herbs out of season and from South America – lots of pesticides to ensure they get to the store….. You will be able to find herbs like: parsley, basil and cilantro organic in many places due to their popularity in recipes.