Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists - 2013

Did you make a decision to eat healthier this year?  An easy way to increase nutrients is to eat more fruits and vegetables.  I love summer produce and look forward to eating all the delicious fruits and vegetables available this time of year.  I planted two tomato plants and I ate my first juicy homegrown organic tomato with some avocado for lunch – YUM! 

Pesticides are used by farmers to keep insects from attacking crops, but they can also be a cause of concern when it comes to one’s health.  Many believe the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweigh the risk of pesticide exposure (Environmental Working Group, 2013).  The Environmental Working Group provides a list of “The Dirty Dozen” to help consumers know what fruits and vegetables are high in pesticide residue and would best be purchased “certified organic.”  A second list called the “Clean Fifteen” lists foods low in pesticide residue and can be safely purchased nonorganic.

Check out the lists below and safely enjoy all the fruits and vegetables available this summer! 

Dirty Dozen                                                             Clean Fifteen

Apples                                                                     Asparagus

Celery                                                                     Avocados

Cherry tomatoes                                                     Cabbage

Cucumbers                                                             Cantaloupe

Grapes                                                                    Sweet corn

Hot Peppers                                                            Eggplant

Nectarines (imported)                                             Grapefruit

Peaches                                                                  Kiwi

Potatoes                                                                  Mangoes

Spinach                                                                   Mushrooms

Strawberries                                                            Onions   

Sweet bell pepper                                                    Papayas

                                                                                Pineapples

Plus…Kale, collard greens,                                    Sweet peas (frozen)  

zucchini, and crooked yellow squash                     Sweet potatoes

 

References:

The Working Group. (2013). Executive summary. Retrieved from:

     http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php