When it comes to buying organic foods, I have to prioritize. Healthy groceries are definitely an investment in health, but I simply can’t afford to buy all my fruits + vegetables organic.
This weeks Ethical Eating focus is: The Dirty Dozen (previously: eggs + potatoes)
The Dirty Dozen is a list of 12 foods which when conventionally grown, contain the highest amount of pesticides. By buying these items organic, you get the most amount of pesticide savings for your dollar spent – and you can put your money where your mouth is.
- Apples
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Lettuce
- Strawberries
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Spinach
In general, these are thin-skinned fruits and vegetables. Thick skinned items, like avocado, oranges or bananas, are less likely to have significant pesticide build up.
FoodNews has a downloadable list of the Dirty Dozen (as well as the Clean 15… produce unlikely to be contaminated) as either a pdf or an iPhone app.
Buying local is always something to consider – whenever possible try to buy produce grown close to home. If you’re shopping at a Farmer’s Market, even if items aren’t marked as Organic it’s likely that your produce is pesticide free. Also, as local produce was likely picked close to when you bought it, it will taste fresher – and so much better!
I know I can’t wait until fresh + local (spring) produce returns to my Farmers Market – but for now, I’ll buy the Dirty Dozen organically.
Are there any foods you’d like to know more about Eating Ethically?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe for updates!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
This post is so valuable. Thank you!
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..A Torrid Affair
[Reply]
I really try to buy organic veggies and fruits because I eat a lot of them. I am torn between farm raised fish versus wild. Honestly farm raised salmon tastes so good compared to the wild caught. Help!
kalli@fitandfortysomething´s last blog ..Her Journey
[Reply]
What a great post!! I’ve heard of the dirty dozen, but hardly ever stick to the “rules” since organic can be expensive!
[Reply]
Thanks for this — I’m going to re-post the lists (and the link to your post) tonight
One question, though — how come potatoes are on the dirty dozen and sweet potatoes on the clean 15?
Kara (@ Kara’s Marathon)´s last blog ..Weekend mini-recap and arms challenge!
[Reply]
I sometimes struggle with the fact that two priorities or values can conflict – like the organic/local thing. Should I go local even though it’s not organic, or organic even though it was shipped across the country? (You’re right, though, that even if local isn’t organic, it probably has less pesticides and such.)
And then there’s the whole social justice thing. Should I not spend my money on organic bananas, since they’re less likely to be contaminated? But what about all of the stories you hear about banana farmers being treated horribly in terms of wages and working conditions? But of course, going organic doesn’t ensure anything about how workers are treated.
I guess what I’m saying is, I feel like I want to do so many things right when it comes to which food I buy, but it’s a challenge!
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self´s last blog ..Friends Don’t Let Friends Fat Talk
[Reply]
Thanks for the tips! I struggle with justifying the extra expense for oganic foods, but I can’t wait for farmers market season to arrive. I definitely plan to take better advantage of local produce this year.
Cara´s last blog ..Lentil Goat-Cheese Burgers (Recipe-Revamp!)
[Reply]
thanks for the FYI – i am literally downloading that app as i type this
Holly´s last blog ..Delicious Discipline
[Reply]
Thanks for this! It’s not always possible to be organic all the time, so it’s good to know where the priorities should be so that I can do the best I can.
Mal
[Reply]
I can’t help but comment on this post, and blog, that I find these ideas of eating “healthy” and “green” to be very hypocritical. Although it’s nice that you are “trying”, eating an “organic” bunch of grapes or box of strawberries in dead of winter can be just as unhealthy and BAD for the environment as eating non-organic ones. These are not in season, therefor you have to question where they are coming from and what type of chemicals or harsh growing conditions allowed under USDA recognized are used to help grow them. Most of the out of season produce you find in supermarkets are grown in industrial “farms” which can be just as harmful to the environment. If you truly want to “eat clean” and limit the impact on the environment you have to make a commitment to eat locally. Yes, that means strawberries and blueberries are confined to their short growing seasons, but it makes it all the more sweeter (literally, any strawberries you find in the grocery store in mid winter are tasteless) when they are in season. I see in your post that you do say it’s good to eat at the farmers market when it’s open, but do a lot research and find ways to eat “clean” when it isn’t open! Winter CSAs are becoming more and more popular.
[Reply]
Allison Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Kelli, I agree with you – local is absolutely best. It tastes better, and it’s best for the environment. However, I’m an ‘anything is better than nothing’ type of person – eating the Dirty Dozen organically is indeed healthier than the conventional option, and while it may not be the environmental or even social (as noted by another commenter) best choice, it is a choice available. I don’t believe that eating everything local is feasible for everyone – it certainly isn’t for me. In Canada, a Winter CSA isn’t going to happen.
I am planning on buying as much local, and in season as possible this spring/summer/fall, and I will be posting about ways I’ll be storing it (ie. canning/freezing) for next fall/winter.
[Reply]
I like to focus on the dirty dozen, when I can! It is so important, even if you are like myself and can not afford organic produce all the time… I at least make sure the dirty dozen are organic!
xo
K
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)´s last blog ..A perfect weekend
[Reply]
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been listening to The Omnivore’s Dilemma and am being much more conscious about what I purchase and eat.
I’d love to know more about farmed versus wild fishes.
Cynthia (It All Changes)´s last blog ..Are you on the same page?
[Reply]