The dirty dozen is a list of product with the highest pesticide residues developed by the Environmental Working Group.
The 12 most contaminated types of produce are:
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
According to the 2011 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, apples are the most pesticide-laden fruit. The US Department of Agriculture tested 700 apple samples and over 98% of the apples contained pesticide.
As an FYI, most of the produce was washed and cleaned prior to sampling to ensure the chemical level was closest to the level present when it’s most typically consumed.
The 15 LEAST contaminated types of produce are (aka the Clean 15):
Onions
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Avocado
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Mangoes
Eggplant
Cantaloupe - domestic
Kiwi
Cabbage
Watermelon
Sweet potatoes
Grapefruit
Mushrooms
How to Use This Information
The ‘dirty dozen’ provides a list of the produce most impacted by pesticide. While you may not be able to purchase all organic produce, you may be able to select the organic form of these top 12 to reduce the pesticide content of your diet.
The Environmental Working Group provides a useful comparison. If you select five servings of fruits and vegetables from the dirty dozen list you’d consume approximately 14 different pesticides daily versus five servings from the ‘Clean 15’ fruit and vegetable list you’d reduce your pesticide intake to fewer than two per day.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
There are health benefits to apples, so I don’t want you to cut them out of your diet. Just be aware of the increased potential for pesticides and select organic versions.
Be sure to grab the special report "How to Make Heart Healthy Changes into Lifelong Habits" courtesy of Real Living Nutrition dietitian Lisa Nelson at http://hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
About the Author:
Lisa Nelson RD is the founder and owner of HeartHealthMadeEasy.com and licensed provider or Real Living Nutrition Services. Learn more about Lisa at: http://www.reallivingnutrition.com/LisaNelson.aspx
