Search
  • Coach Login »
(866) 446-1967
Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
  • Home
  • Health Coach Certification
    • Overview
    • Courses
      • Families Course
      • Adults & Seniors Course
      • Pregnancy Course
      • Master Course
    • Course Format
    • Tuition and Registration
    • Ongoing Support
    • Continuing Education
    • FAQ
    • Organizations
  • Blog
    • Recent Articles
    • Healthy Living
    • Podcast
  • About
    • Our Team
  • Contact
  • Enroll Now
  • Menu Menu

Buying Organic and Avoiding the Dirty Dozen

in Nutrition

Should You Be Buying Organic?

Every year the Environmental Working Group publishes the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™.  Derived from USDA tests, they found a total 251 different pesticides on thousands of fruit and vegetable samples examined this year. The pesticides persisted on fruits and vegetables tested by USDA – even when they were washed and, in some cases, peeled. Buying organic produce helps avoid these pesticides that can harm your health.

2023 Dirty Dozen

Buying-Organic-Dirty-Dozen-1

The dirty dozen is a list of the top twelve fruits and veggies that tested positive for higher concentrations of pesticides than other produce. More than 90 percent of samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines, and grapes tested positive for residues of two or more pesticides. Over 50 different pesticides were detected on every type of crop on the list, except cherries.If you are not already, you should consider buying organic beginning with these top twelve produce items. Remember, the thinner the skin, the more likely it is that pesticides can leak through.

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
  4. Peaches
  5. Pears
  6. Nectarines
  7. Apples
  8. Grapes
  9. Bell and hot peppers
  10. Cherries
  11. Blueberries
  12. Green beans

The Clean Fifteen

Fruits and vegetables on the Clean Fifteen are not absolutely necessary to buy organically because they have little pesticide traces. Almost 65 percent of Clean Fifteen fruit and vegetable samples had no detectable pesticide residues. Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on Clean Fifteen produce, with avocados and sweet corn being the safest options.

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet Corn
  3. Pineapples
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet Peas (Frozen)
  7. Asparagus
  8. Honeydew Melon
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Mushrooms
  12. Mangoes
  13. Sweet Potatoes
  14. Watermelon
  15. Carrots

In the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide, strawberries officially replaced apples in 2018 as the most pesticide-ridden produce and have stayed at the top ever since. Kale, collard, and mustard greens, as well as hot peppers and bell peppers, had the most pesticides detected of any crop — 103 and 101 pesticides in total, respectively.

The consumption of pesticides can lead to reproductive health complications in both men and women. Nearly 75 percent of non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful pesticide. Protecting your family from consuming harmful pesticides used when buying foods is a primary concern for many but, how do you know when it is important to buy organic and when it’s not? Here are a few tips to help protect both your family and your wallet!

Produce Cleaning Solution

Washing produce helps reduce the number of pesticides and germs that have accumulated on the fruits and vegetables during growing and transport to your home. Always wash produce, even if it is organic! Making your own produce wash is an easy, inexpensive way to protect your family and save some money.

Directions: Fill a bowl or spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. (The acetic acid in vinegar kills bacteria and helps to dissolve the wax and pesticide residues found on the skins of many fruits and vegetables.) Spray the wash onto your fruits and vegetables with thick skins and use a sponge or scrub brush to rub it in. For produce with softer skins, allow the fruit and vegetables to soak in a bowl of the wash for a minute or two. Always rinse with fresh water after cleaning the produce in the solution.


Sources:

https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php

Live Webinar Health Coaching: Market Growth and Opportunities October 3rd

REGISTER NOW
Don't Want to Wait Watch Our Discover Health Coaching Webinar
health coach certification
Recent
  • Buying Organic and Avoiding the Dirty DozenApril 11, 2023 - 10:10 am
  • Opportunities For Certified Health CoachesMarch 16, 2023 - 8:55 am
  • 5 Questions to Consider Before You Start Your Journey
    5 Questions to Consider Before You Start Your Health Coach...February 9, 2023 - 10:19 am
  • Unlock Your Potential as a Health Coach
    Unlock Your Potential as a Health CoachJanuary 12, 2023 - 7:57 am
Popular
  • Buying Organic and Avoiding the Dirty DozenApril 11, 2023 - 10:10 am
  • Food ShapesMarch 6, 2012 - 4:01 pm
  • Whole Grain Bread NutritionAugust 6, 2012 - 4:26 pm
  • Different Body ShapesAugust 20, 2012 - 4:54 pm
Tags
attitude barbeque benefits blood pressure blood sugar brain carbohydrates carbs coconut cooking Diabetes facts fat foods GI giving glycemic index grilling happiness healthy helper's high holidays infographic insulin kids LEAN MCT mood neurochemicals nutrition oil omega-3 processed processed foods Recipe recipes salt saturated self-care sodium sugar superfoods tailgating tips vegetables

Blog Categories

The L.E.A.N. Blog

  • Buying Organic and Avoiding the Dirty DozenApril 11, 2023 - 10:10 am
  • Opportunities For Certified Health CoachesMarch 16, 2023 - 8:55 am
  • 5 Questions to Consider Before You Start Your Journey
    5 Questions to Consider Before You Start Your Health Coach JourneyFebruary 9, 2023 - 10:19 am
  • Unlock Your Potential as a Health Coach
    Unlock Your Potential as a Health CoachJanuary 12, 2023 - 7:57 am

Health Coach Certification

  • Certification Overview
  • Health Coach Courses
  • Course Format
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Ongoing Support
  • FAQ

T5 Wellness Plan
DSWI Logo

Dr. Sears Wellness Institute™

4933 Paramount Dr
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (866) 446-1967
Fax: (303) 558-4214

© 2023 Dr. Sears Wellness Institute ™ | All Rights Reserved |Privacy Policy
Scroll to top