How toxic are all the pesticides and herbicides and every other cides that are sprayed on our food? Well, scientists that are experts in this field tell us they are extremely toxic, for one, cancer-causing toxic. So, one more thing to worry about.
A study was done using children ages 3-11 years old testing conventionally raised produce vs. organic produce. They gave the children convention produce for 10 weeks, and organic produce for two weeks. The children were not near any farms being sprayed, so there was no exposure that way. The researchers tested the urine of these children twice a day measuring pesticide amounts. Guess what.....the two weeks they were fed organic produce, there was no detectable pesticides in their urine. The other 10 weeks they ate conventional produce, their little bodies were swimming in pesticides!
The next question was, can the pesticides be rinsed off the produce? Well, it turns out rinsing takes about 15% of the toxic dose off the foods. Peeling the produce took 85% of the sprays off....but by peeling it you've also taken away a lot of the vitamins and minerals. The answer to all of this is, buy organic whenever you can. It really is not a "gimmick" to make more money for the farmers...it truly is so much better for you to eat.
The Environmental Working Group published two lists of produce....one called the Dirty Dozen Plus, (produce that is really heavily sprayed), and the other list is called the Clean Fifteen, (produce not so heavily sprayed). When buying produce from the Dirty Dozen list, try to buy these particular foods organic.
DIRTY DOZEN PLUS:
CLEAN FIFTEEN:
I know organically grown produce is more expensive than the conventional produce, but it really does make a difference in the food we are eating. Not only are we eating all the toxic chemicals, (apples are sprayed with 30 different pesticides), but the organic produce is grown in soil that has more nutrients giving the end product more vitamins, minerals, and no toxic residues.
I personally have to put things in perspective....we spend money foolishly on things like specialized coffees that can cost anywhere from $3 to $5, (or more), but then we contemplate spending another $1 or $2 on organically grown produce that is so good for us! Buying organically grown produce really does make a big difference....
So, when buying produce from the Dirty Dozen Plus list, buy organic whenever possible. When choosing foods from the Clean Fifteen list, you can get away with the conventionally grown produce. Make your coffee at home, put the 3-5 dollars a day you will be saving in a money jar...when you shop for your produce, the money you saved will more than cover the cost of those sweet, juicy, delicious organic fruits and vegetables..... and, your body will thank you!!
A study was done using children ages 3-11 years old testing conventionally raised produce vs. organic produce. They gave the children convention produce for 10 weeks, and organic produce for two weeks. The children were not near any farms being sprayed, so there was no exposure that way. The researchers tested the urine of these children twice a day measuring pesticide amounts. Guess what.....the two weeks they were fed organic produce, there was no detectable pesticides in their urine. The other 10 weeks they ate conventional produce, their little bodies were swimming in pesticides!
The next question was, can the pesticides be rinsed off the produce? Well, it turns out rinsing takes about 15% of the toxic dose off the foods. Peeling the produce took 85% of the sprays off....but by peeling it you've also taken away a lot of the vitamins and minerals. The answer to all of this is, buy organic whenever you can. It really is not a "gimmick" to make more money for the farmers...it truly is so much better for you to eat.
The Environmental Working Group published two lists of produce....one called the Dirty Dozen Plus, (produce that is really heavily sprayed), and the other list is called the Clean Fifteen, (produce not so heavily sprayed). When buying produce from the Dirty Dozen list, try to buy these particular foods organic.
DIRTY DOZEN PLUS:
- Apples
- Celery
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Grapes
- Hot peppers
- Imported nectarines
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet bell peppers
- Collard greens/Kale
- Summer squash
CLEAN FIFTEEN:
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet corn
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Frozen sweet peas
- Sweet potatoes
I know organically grown produce is more expensive than the conventional produce, but it really does make a difference in the food we are eating. Not only are we eating all the toxic chemicals, (apples are sprayed with 30 different pesticides), but the organic produce is grown in soil that has more nutrients giving the end product more vitamins, minerals, and no toxic residues.
I personally have to put things in perspective....we spend money foolishly on things like specialized coffees that can cost anywhere from $3 to $5, (or more), but then we contemplate spending another $1 or $2 on organically grown produce that is so good for us! Buying organically grown produce really does make a big difference....
So, when buying produce from the Dirty Dozen Plus list, buy organic whenever possible. When choosing foods from the Clean Fifteen list, you can get away with the conventionally grown produce. Make your coffee at home, put the 3-5 dollars a day you will be saving in a money jar...when you shop for your produce, the money you saved will more than cover the cost of those sweet, juicy, delicious organic fruits and vegetables..... and, your body will thank you!!
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