So one of the things I hear people say the most about eating well is that it can be expensive. There are some items that are better for you that cost a little more, I can’t argue with that! It has been my experience, however, that some items may be a bit more of a cost up front but they will save you money in the future (bye bye medical bills!).
There are several ways to save some cash when adapting a healthier lifestyle. One of those ways is to know which foods you should always buy organic and which foods might be okay if you don’t. We all should be eating organic foods right? I mean who wants to consume pesticides and chemicals that wreak havoc on our bodies? I don’t, that’s for sure! Unfortunately, Organic foods cost a little more than non-Organic (not a lot, usually like 10 cents more but still). One way to save a little money in the Organic department is to check out the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Clean fifteen” & “Dirty Dozen” list. This list explains which foods are “ok” to buy non-organic if need be and which foods to ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS buy organic. This dirty dozen list has the foods that have the highest levels of pesticides, therefore should not be eaten unless organic.
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Dirty Dozen + |
Clean Fifteen |
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Apples |
Asparagus |
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Celery |
Avocado |
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Cherry Tomatoes |
Papaya |
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Cucumber |
Cabbage |
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Grapes |
Sweet Corn |
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Hot Peppers |
Eggplant |
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Nectarines-Imported |
Grapefruit |
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Peaches |
Kiwi |
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Summer Squash |
Pineapple |
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Strawberries |
Sweet Potatoes |
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Spinach |
Sweet Peas-frozen |
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Sweet Bell Peppers |
Mushrooms |
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Kale & Collard Greens |
Mangoes |
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Potatoes |
Onions |
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Cantaloupe |
Also, a good rule of thumb is that if it has a peel (ie: oranges, bananas), then it is safer to eat non-organic than those without a peel. If you think about your health as a long term investment, then it makes sense to spend a few more pennies on those things that may save you from illness. Your health & wellness is one area that you don’t want to be cutting corners with too much! Check the EWG website often because this list can change. Oh, and don’t forget to wash your fresh produce before you eat, who knows who touched that apple before you bit into it, Ewwww!
Peace & Organic Veggies, nikki
