PrintOptionally Organic:
If you have a little leeway in your grocery budget, Pam recommends buying organic versions of the following fruits and veggies:
- Apricots
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Grapefruit
- Grapes (domestic)
- Green beans
- Honeydew melon
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Plums
- Sweet potatoes
- Tangerines
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
Although they aren’t ranked as high as the dirty dozen, these popular produce picks still contain some residual chemicals. This means that a conventionally grown apricot is a better bet than a conventionally grown apple, but it, too, contains contaminants.
Can’t afford the entire list (and perhaps you don’t care for cabbage anyway!)? Go organic with just a few of your faves.
Going Organic Not Necessary
According to Pam, there is little need to go organic when it comes to the following fruits and veggies:
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Peas
- Pineapple
“These are the least commonly contaminated fruits and vegetables,” she says.
It’s also unnecessary to purchase organic foods that are packaged or highly processed, such as cereal, chips and pasta because they’re just as safe and sport the same nutrient values as their non-organic counterparts.
The Bottom Line
You should always wash produce before you eat it. However, this safety measure reduces but does not eliminate chemical residue on fruits and veggies. Small amounts of those pesky pesticides and other stubborn contaminants will always linger. Peeling is another option, but when you rid a fruit or vegetable of its skin, you’re eliminating many valuable nutrients, too.
The battle between organic and non-organic foods rages on, but in the end, the choice is a personal one, according to Pam.
“Since the market has skyrocketed with the availability of organic foods, be sure you are really getting what you are paying for. Whether you choose organic or the conventional method is a personal choice. There are advantages to both sides, but make sure your decision is an informed one. Know where the product comes from and pay attention to the product label – information is the key,” she says.
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