We all know that organic foods are better than their conventional counterparts, but are you ready to put them on your dinner table? Most grocery stores and some mega stores in our area have a larger than ever organic food selection.
Buying organically grown foods can reduce the pesticides used in large scale agriculture. It can then, in turn, reduce the amount of these chemicals that go into the ground water and public waterways.
Buying organic foods can also have numerous benefits for your family. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research group, has determined that pesticides on foods can have adverse effects on people, especially children and pregnant women, and should be avoided if possible.
The pesticides used on fruits and vegetables are not washed away with typical food preparation. Most chemicals can penetrate the skin of fruits and vegetables, so although rinsing and peeling might reduce your exposure, it does not eliminate it.
Organic food shopping does not need to be overwhelming. Incorporating a few organic items into each grocery shopping excursion can be a great way to start. These foods are usually more expensive than conventional foods so it can also be easier on the budget to work them in slowly.
The following is a list of the top 10 foods that were determined by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration to have the highest concentrations of pesticides. This list may help you determine which foods to pick up in the organic section first.
1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes
10. Spinach
Copywrite 2007~Andrea D Kirkham
Andrea D. Kirkham is a graduate of Penn State’s College of Communications with a minor in Women’s Studies. She currently writes and plays at home with her two sons, husband and two dogs who keep life crazy and fun. Her passions are reflected in her writings about holistic childcare and natural living, including breastfeeding and cloth diapering. For more information about Andrea’s availability and writing – please email her.
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