I was reading one of the new cookbooks that I got for my birthday, and in it there is a chapter about organic foods. It got me wondering how important organic food is to everyone or if its something that “other” people do, but you don’t mess with. To be honest, I find myself somewhere in between an organic goddess and totally ignorant. I realize there are certain foods that should be purchased organically, but I also don’t subscribe to the entire lifestyle. Anyway, in this cookbook, which is called “The Sneaky Chef” there is a chapter about organic foods and which ones are the most important to buy organically. I thought I’d share that with you.
Apparently there is a list referred to as “The Dirty Dozen.” This list contains the most heavily contaminated foods by pesticides and residues. Because these foods have thinner skins than others, they absorb the pesticides easier. The foods you should buy organically are: Peaches, strawberries, apples, spinach, nectarines, celery, pears, cherries, potatoes, sweet bell peppers, raspberries and grapes. Keep in mind next time you go to the store that many of the foods we eat on a regular basis are heavily contaminated.
On the flip side of that are a list of foods that are the least contaminated due to their thick skin or coating. They are: Sweet corn, avocados, pineapples, cauliflower, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, onions, broccoli, bananas, kiwis, and papayas. Those have officially made the safe list.
Again, I’m not a huge organic promoter, but I do realize the importance of buying some foods this way. I thought you may like to have a list to have handy next time you head to the store.
Hi, Jaycie! I am frustrated that the “dirty dozen” are the least available in organic form, at least in my neck of the woods! I buy organic romaine lettuce, organic carrots. I think I saw organic sweet bell peppers once this summer, for $6 per lb!!! Yikes! I’ll stick to the 4-pack from Aldi for $1.69.