Did you know the nutritional value of most of our produce has decreased over the past few decades? The food we eat no longer gives us the nourishment it used to, requiring us to seek other sources of vital nutrients. This is due to the increasingly more common use of pesticides and genetically modified foods (GMO’s). By consuming organic food as often as possible and choosing foods that are locally grown, you can minimize the effect of pesticides and GMO’s in your diet.
Beware of these foods: The dirty dozen!
These foods have been named the most likely to be contaminated by pesticides. If you are on a budget, these foods and the ones you want to prioritize when buying organic.
1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes (imported from elsewhere)
10. Spinach
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes
Safer Bets: The Clean Fifteen!
These foods are the least likely to contain pesticides, according to the President's cancer Panel. Because of their many layers and rough outer skin, these foods are less likely to be toxic when bought conventional.
1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapples
5. Mango
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi Fruit
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potatoes (also known as yams)
15. Sweet Onions
Guidelines for staying safe when buying food!
Most foods are much better for your body, on multiple levels, when purchased organic. They are closer to the earth and more care has been taken to ensure that they are raised in a natural setting.
If you are not able to buy organic at a grocery store, farmers markets are great alternatives. Local farmers are not subjected to the same large-scale requirements of a corporation or a farm subsidized by the government.
They are usually more likely to use fewer pesticides and more natural methods when growing foods. Often, these small farmers carry organic produce, even if the label itself doesn’t say organic. It is also easier to buy foods that are in season if you have local sources. Farmers want to ensure that their stock doesn’t go bad before the next crop comes to flower. Eating seasonally is also statistically the best way to avoid food that has been genetically altered to remain fresh longer.
Where do you buy food in our neighborhood? Do you typically buy organic? Tell us why or why not in the comments!
Lisa Hoffman-Lamanna, RLCSW
ROOTS HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Planting Foundations for Life
www.rootshealthandwellness.net
(631) 806-2080
