Dirty Dozen Foods

If you're looking to buy organic, but not sure where to start, here's a list of a Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables from the Environmental Working Group that research has shown to be high in pesticide residues. It's best to buy these organic to avoid long term illness from the pesticides, especially for pregnant women and children. For those on a budget, it's also a great way to prioritize which foods to buy organic and which ones you can do without.

The list includes the following fruits and vegetables

1. Apples
   
2. Celery
   
3. Strawberries
   
4. Peaches
   
5. Spinach
   
6. Nectarines (imported to US)
   
7. Grapes (imported to US)
   
8. Sweet bell peppers
   
9. Potatoes
   
10. Blueberries
    
11. Lettuce
    
12. Kale

Alternatives to these fruits and vegetables include

• Watermelon, bananas, and kiwi
  
• Cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli
  
• Sweet potato
  
• Pineapple, papaya, and mango
  
• Tangerines, oranges and grapefruit
  
• Radishes and onion