EWG's 2020 Clean 15 & Dirty Dozen

At no other time that I can remember has there been a better time to be eating your fruits and vegetables.

If you have been wanting to look at changing or improving your diet to help support your immune system or to improve your health overall, well, upping your fruits and vegetables game is where it's at.

As a health coach you'll hear me talk about buying organic.

Yes, this is true, mainly because of what I have learned about pesticides, particularly Roundup and how dangerous it is. 

But it can be very expensive. Especially now when so many people are currently unemployed and struggling. 

If this is you and your wanting to eat more fruits and vegetables, and you want to eat organic, but just can't afford it, here is an option in helping you choose when you buy.

There is some produce that you can buy conventional.

Those veggies or fruits in which you don't eat the skin is ok like avocados and bananas due to the limited exposure to pesticides. But others like grapes and strawberries are a no go when buying conventional.

Truth: for example, if I'm in a store where they only offer conventional grapes and strawberries, I absolutely will NOT buy them. I think of it as literally popping a pesticide soaked bomb in your mouth. Nope. My health is not worth saving a few bucks.

Pesticides do quite a serious number on our gut, our hormones and overall health. So its important for you to be informed of just what is used to grow your food and how to avoid it without breaking the bank.

That's where the Environmental Working Group comes in.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. They research what’s in our tap water, the safety of our cosmetics, genetically modified organisms (GMO / GE), and the amounts of pesticides in and on our food, among other things.

The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ (aka Dirty Dozen and Clean 15) is updated each year and ranks pesticide contamination on 48 popular fruits and vegetables. The guide is based on results of more than 35,200 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

The top 15 foods with the most limited amount of pesticides are called the Clean 15, while the 12 foods with the most exposure to pesticides are called the Dirty Dozen. These lists are fantastic to take with you on your shopping trips to know when to buy organic and when it’s ok to buy conventional.

Here's this years list:

Dirty Dozen™

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale 
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches 
8. Cherries
9. Pears 
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

Clean 15™

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Cauliflower
10. Cantaloupe
11. Broccoli
12. Mushrooms
13. Cabbage
14. Honeydew Melon
15. Kiwi

EWG offers a wallet sized shopping guide that you can print and keep handy so you never forget. Go to EWG's site to get yours now and also get on their list. I know some of us get a TON of email, but their newsletter is a must. It will keep you up to date on all of the latest news on pesticides, products that are safe to buy and what to avoid.

Here's to your health and keeping nasty pesticides OUT of your food!

Until next time,

xoxo

Shannon

PS: If you haven't yet, take my quiz to discover what your health habit personality is. It's more than just having a little fun, it's designed to encourage you by identifying your current strengths to help you take advantage of the habits you already have to move you forward in achieving your health goals.