Buying organic foods means supporting both the health of agricultural workers (the use of pesticides have been linked to cancer among some farmers and pickers) and the long-term health of our land. But it’s no secret that organic produce is often more expensive than its conventional counterparts. Many people see organic food as a long-term investment, because buying better quality food today will likely save you money on health costs down the road. But for those of us feeling a pinch in the pocket, it’s great to take note of the fruits and veggies that are most important to buy organic. That’s right – certain types of conventional or non-organic produce are worse for our health than others, either due to the amount of pesticides typically used on those crops, or because of their vulnerability to chemicals.
Below is a portion of the Environmental Working Group‘s list of the 47 most-toxic forms of produce (1 being the most toxic). Whenever possible, it’s important to buy these items organic:
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Sweet bell peppers
- Nectarines (imported)
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Hot peppers
- Blueberries (domestic)
- Lettuce
- Snap peas (imported)
Find the full list, along with each item’s toxicity rating, here.
Recent Comments