Organic fruits and vegetables may be a better alternative to conventionally grown ones, but they are expensive and not everyone can afford them as a regular fare. They are also not easily available. One may be forced by circumstances, financial or otherwise, to fall back on conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables.
However, not all fruits and vegetables are equal. Some when grown conventionally, fruits and vegetables are treated with more pesticides than others or may retain more of the pesticides. Here is a list of the top 10 foods containing the most pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group:
High-pesticide food: Strawberries
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Blueberries, raspberries, oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, watermelon
High-pesticide food: Bell peppers
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, romaine, lettuce
High-pesticide food: Spinach
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
Healthy alternatives: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus
High-pesticide food: Cherries
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Oranges, blueberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, blackberries, grapefruit
High-pesticide food: Peaches
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
Healthy alternatives: Nectarines, watermelon, tangerines, oranges, grapefruit
High-pesticide food: Mexican cantaloupe
Main nutrient: Vitamins A and C
and potassium
Healthy alternatives: U.S. cantaloupe grown from May to December, watermelon
High-pesticide food: Celery
Main nutrient: Carotenoids
Healthy alternatives: Carrots, broccoli, radishes, romaine lettuce
High-pesticide food: Apples
Main nutrient: Vitamin C
Healthy alternatives: Watermelon, nectarines, bananas, tangerines
High-pesticide food: Apricots
Main nutrient: Vitamins A an C and potassium
Healthy alternatives: Nectarines, watermelon, oranges, tangerines
High-pesticide food: Green beans
Main nutrient: Potassium
Healthy alternatives: Green peas, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, asparagus
1 comment:
Lord. Grow your own for pennies. A pack of Spinach seeds is $1-2, you only need a spot of earth maybe 8 feet by three feet for 3-4 rows of plants.
Use a few big pots if you don't have land.
It grows like a weed in almost any location, and you'll have more than you know what to do with.
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