Organic on a Budget

In a perfect world, everything we eat would be organic.  For most people, however, budgeting to eat 100% organic can be challenging.  That's why I love the research done by Environmental Working Group (EWG) - they have analyzed 49 fruits and vegetables for pesticide residue and have published the results on their website to help guide consumers as to which foods are most important to choose organic.  You can read the full list here, and the condensed version in the image below:

The condensed version of their research is known as The Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen, seen above and published annually as the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

Since the benefits of eating non-organic fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of having a diet low in fruits and vegetables, this guide is very useful to help make decisions in the grocery store.  If you're just starting to take interest in organically grown foods, the risks of consuming pesticides may be worth considering:

Since the very nature of pesticides is to kill living organisms ("pests"), and humans are also considered living organisms, pesticides are toxic to us by their very definition.  In particular, the health risks that pesticides confer have been validated by researchers and physicians internationally, as well as by US and international government agencies.  Pesticides have been linked to many health conditions, such as:

• Brain and nervous system toxicity
• Cancer
• Hormone disruption
• Skin, eye and lung irritation

As an investment in our health and our future, a great first step is to be mindful of the produce we are consuming and to make educated choices about reducing our pesticide exposure.  Making small changes such as this can make a big difference when it comes to our long-term health, and so I wish for you good health and happy eating!

--
Sources:
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/