04/06/2014
VALUABLE INFO FOR A HEALTHY DIET-
The fruits and veggies with the MOST pesticides are:
1. Apples – Be aware that scrubbing and peeling can’t get all the pesticides off. The heavy waxing of apples also traps pesticides underneath.
2. Strawberries – Out-of-season, imported strawberries are the most risky. Thin skins make these fruits particularly vulnerable to pesticides.
3. Grapes
4. Celery – 13 different pesticides were measured on a single sample of both celery
5. Peaches - Peaches are sprayed with multiple varieties of pesticides and in addition their delicate skin makes it easy for chemicals to pe*****te the skin.
6. Spinach – Spinach and lettuce have lots of surface area for pesticides to cover.
7. Sweet bell peppers – Peppers absorb pesticides like a sponge. High percentage of peppers contain pesticides and many are imported from countries with looser standards than the US has.
8. Nectarines – imported
9. Cucumbers – 35 pesticide residues have been found in common cucumbers (according to the USDA pesticide data program).
10. Cherry tomatoes
11. Snap peas – imported
12. Potatoes
13. Hot Peppers
14. Blueberries – domestic
15. Lettuce
The fruits and veggies with the LEAST pesticides are:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Cabbage
5. Frozen sweet peas
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Papayas
10. Kiwifruit
11. Eggplant
12. Grapefruit
13. Cantaloupe
14. Cauliflower
15. Sweet potatoes
How to AVOID pesticide exposure while still maintaining a HEALTHY DIET?
As more studies are being done to understand the full impact of pesticides on our body, we need to minimize our exposure to these substances. The best option would be of course to buy organic produce. Organic produce is more expensive but this is the safest option. Or at least buy organically those fruits and vegetables that have the highest pesticides residue.
If you cannot get organic produce in your area, some people recommend to peel the skin off fruits and vegetables when possible. If you don’t want to lose essential nutrients that are found in the skin, what you can do is thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them by using warm water and mild dish washing liquid. For produce like potatoes, turnips, carrots, apples, cucumbers and the like, you can also use a firm scrub brush to remove wax and bacteria. After that, soak the fruits and vegetables in a homemade solution to remove pesticide residue. This can be made by mixing one teaspoon of sea salt per cup of water, or by diluting vinegar with water. Vinegar helps kill bacteria and viruses and helps break down the wax that sometimes coats the produce. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar and soak the produce for 15-20 minutes and then rinse.
There are also commercial organic produce cleaners developed specifically to break down and remove waxes and other sealants holding pesticides on the food. Read the labels of these sanitizing agents to make sure they 100% natural and botanical.
Another option is to start and grow your own fruits and vegetables if you have the space and time for it. This way you know exactly what you goes into your body.......
