Shopping for healthy foods is always a balancing act. How do we go about finding the healthiest foods while staying within our budget? The answer is simple: by shopping smarter.

We’ve all heard and read about the benefits of limiting our exposure to harmful chemicals. One way to do this is to shop for organically grown fruits and vegetables. But, as you may know, organic produce often comes with a hefty price-tag.

So, what’s the smart play when it comes to thrifty grocery shopping? Buy organic when it matters most.

Earlier this year, The Environmental Working Group published a list that ranked fruits and vegetables based on their “pesticide load”. The more pesticides present, the higher the “pesticide load”.

Here’s a list of the ten worst fruits and vegetables – in terms of their pesticide content:

Worst Fruits

1. Nectarines
2. Peaches
3. Apples
4. Strawberries
5. Cherries

Worst Veggies

1. Sweet Bell Peppers
2. Celery
3. Lettuce
4. Spinach
5. Potatoes

As you can see, these are some very common foods that we often include in our diets. If you eat any of these fruits or veggies regularly, please consider looking for an organic source for them.

I hate to end a post on a negative note, so I’d like to highlight the ten cleanest fruits and veggies as well. The following options can be enjoyed safely – even if they’re not organically grown.

Cleanest Fruits

1. Avocados (yes, they’re a fruit!)
2. Pineapples
3. Mango
4. Kiwi
5. Bananas

Cleanest Veggies

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn – frozen
3. Sweet Peas – frozen
4. Asparagus
5. Cabbage

For more information about this topic, please visit this site: EWG – Pesticides in Produce

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you found something of value in it and that you’ll return very soon. Remember, I’m posting new information everyday! Don’t miss out!

Be well!

JP