Which Fruits and Vegetables Must You Always Buy Organic?
- 13 Jul 2021
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Pesticides are, unfortunately, are an unwelcome integral of the food production industry. They are used extensively to get rid of pests, weeds, insects, and other damaging factors to ensure a better harvest of desirable crops. In fact, if you were to head on over to your nearest supermarket right now and pick a random bunch of grapes off the fruit aisle, it is highly likely that you will notice a thin layer of milky white film over the skin of the grapes. This is pesticide residue, and at least a small quantity of this residue will most likely be ingested by you despite the many washes you subject the fruit to.
Organic fruits and vegetables are very much in demand these days, especially as people are becoming more and more aware of the long term damage caused by the unchecked use of pesticides. If you are not aware of the high amounts of pesticide that is used on the crops that end up on your dinner table, it is something you must look into. Once you are aware of the situation, the solution is pretty straightforward: switch to organic fruits and vegetables so that you can look forward to a healthier tomorrow. And once you have decided to make organic produce a part of your every day diet, you need to know about the “Dirty Dozen”, a list of the twelve fruits and vegetables that must always be bought organic.
The Dirty Dozen consists of the following fruits and vegetables, listed alphabetically:
Apples
An apple a day will not keep the doctor away if it is chock-full of pesticides as well. Apples have thin skin that is permeable to pesticides, so merely peeling off the skin might not do the trick; rely on organically grown apples.
Celery
We use celery everywhere, from soups to garnish. Which is exactly why we need to be careful to use only organic celery without pesticide contamination.
Cherries
Results from experiments show that cherries contain numerous pesticides, including a known carcinogenic compound.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are consumed in various ways, even raw. While the price of organic cherry tomatoes may seem a tad high in comparison to its size, remember than contaminated produce will make you pay a much higher price later on.
Cucumbers
In addition to being great in salads, cucumbers are healthy snack substitutes. So the next time you’re munching on sliced cucumbers, make sure it's organic.
Grapes
Grapes are hard plants to grow unless liberally exposed to different pesticides and insecticides, which is why the extra money you spend on organic grapes will be worth it.
Nectarines
Nectarines also have thin skins and this might allow the pesticides used on them to penetrate the skin and reach the flesh. It is better to buy nectarines at your nearest farmer’s market.
Peaches
Peaches are similar to nectarines and also susceptible to pesticide contamination, so purchase only organic peaches.
Spinach
As spinach does not weigh a lot, it remains one of the most heavily pesticide contaminated foods by virtue of pesticide to weight ratio. You can easily get fresh organic spinach at a farmer’s market.
Strawberries
Testing shows that strawberries are the most pesticide contaminated food of all time, so make sure you spend a little extra on the organic strawberry variety to limit your family’s pesticide consumption.
Sweet Bell Peppers
Bell peppers can be consumed cooked or raw in salads. If you eat them raw, it means you’re directly consuming the toxic substances present on their skin, but this is not an issue if you use organic bell peppers that are devoid of pesticides.
Tomatoes
It is no secret that tomatoes are pumped full of pesticides to make them redder and rounder. Stick to the uglier but more nutritious organic version for your long term heath.
Now, you might want to buy organic fruits and vegetables, even though they might be priced slightly higher than their pesticide-coated cousins, but you don’t know a reliable source of organic fruits and vegetables, do not let that stop your quest for a healthier dietary lifestyle. There are plenty of trustworthy fresh produce distributors like Fresh Del Monte who work around the clock to make sure all your organic fruits and vegetables needs are met. They make sure you can even order your groceries from the comfort of your homes and have the best quality organic fruits and vegetables delivered to your doorstep.
Organic fruits and vegetables are very much in demand these days, especially as people are becoming more and more aware of the long term damage caused by the unchecked use of pesticides. If you are not aware of the high amounts of pesticide that is used on the crops that end up on your dinner table, it is something you must look into. Once you are aware of the situation, the solution is pretty straightforward: switch to organic fruits and vegetables so that you can look forward to a healthier tomorrow. And once you have decided to make organic produce a part of your every day diet, you need to know about the “Dirty Dozen”, a list of the twelve fruits and vegetables that must always be bought organic.
The Dirty Dozen consists of the following fruits and vegetables, listed alphabetically:
Apples
An apple a day will not keep the doctor away if it is chock-full of pesticides as well. Apples have thin skin that is permeable to pesticides, so merely peeling off the skin might not do the trick; rely on organically grown apples.
Celery
We use celery everywhere, from soups to garnish. Which is exactly why we need to be careful to use only organic celery without pesticide contamination.
Cherries
Results from experiments show that cherries contain numerous pesticides, including a known carcinogenic compound.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are consumed in various ways, even raw. While the price of organic cherry tomatoes may seem a tad high in comparison to its size, remember than contaminated produce will make you pay a much higher price later on.
Cucumbers
In addition to being great in salads, cucumbers are healthy snack substitutes. So the next time you’re munching on sliced cucumbers, make sure it's organic.
Grapes
Grapes are hard plants to grow unless liberally exposed to different pesticides and insecticides, which is why the extra money you spend on organic grapes will be worth it.
Nectarines
Nectarines also have thin skins and this might allow the pesticides used on them to penetrate the skin and reach the flesh. It is better to buy nectarines at your nearest farmer’s market.
Peaches
Peaches are similar to nectarines and also susceptible to pesticide contamination, so purchase only organic peaches.
Spinach
As spinach does not weigh a lot, it remains one of the most heavily pesticide contaminated foods by virtue of pesticide to weight ratio. You can easily get fresh organic spinach at a farmer’s market.
Strawberries
Testing shows that strawberries are the most pesticide contaminated food of all time, so make sure you spend a little extra on the organic strawberry variety to limit your family’s pesticide consumption.
Sweet Bell Peppers
Bell peppers can be consumed cooked or raw in salads. If you eat them raw, it means you’re directly consuming the toxic substances present on their skin, but this is not an issue if you use organic bell peppers that are devoid of pesticides.
Tomatoes
It is no secret that tomatoes are pumped full of pesticides to make them redder and rounder. Stick to the uglier but more nutritious organic version for your long term heath.
Now, you might want to buy organic fruits and vegetables, even though they might be priced slightly higher than their pesticide-coated cousins, but you don’t know a reliable source of organic fruits and vegetables, do not let that stop your quest for a healthier dietary lifestyle. There are plenty of trustworthy fresh produce distributors like Fresh Del Monte who work around the clock to make sure all your organic fruits and vegetables needs are met. They make sure you can even order your groceries from the comfort of your homes and have the best quality organic fruits and vegetables delivered to your doorstep.