To buy organic or not?

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find the  price of organic produce makes me just want to ignore the issue and eat out! The good news is that some non-organic fruits and vegetables are quite safe to eat.

The following lists are based on amounts of pesticide residue found in washed produce (information provided by the Environmental Working Group, an organization that keeps tabs on toxin-related food safety). Foods in the first list generally have natural protective barriers against chemical pesticides, whereas foods in the second list are more exposed and vulnerable — in other words, more likely to retain pesticide residue.

Non-organic versions of these foods are OK:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Cabbage
5. Peas frozen
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangos
9. Papayas
10. Kiwi
11. Eggplant
12. Honeydew Melon
13. Grapefruit
14. Cantaloupe
15. Cauliflower

Stick with organic versions of these foods:

1. Strawberries
2. Apples
3. Nectarines
4. Peaches
5. Celery
6. Grapes
7. Cherries
8. Spinach
9. Tomatoes
10. Sweet bell peppers
11. Cherry tomatoes
12. Cucumbers
13. Hot Peppers
14. Kale / Collard greens

Need more information? There are many sources online, including EWG’s official “clean” and “dirty” food lists.