by Kelley Herring
Evidence continues to mount on the many ways in which small doses of pesticides adversely affect health-especially during critical periods of fetal development and childhood. Because pesticides aren't listed on labels like cholesterol, saturated fat and artificial colors, the best way to avoid these environmental contaminants is to choose organic foods.
The Environmental Working Group created The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce to educate consumers on the foods most consistently contaminated with pesticides. The 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of contaminants include:
- Peaches
- Apples
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Lettuce
- Grapes
- Pears
- Spinach
- Potatoes
At Healing Gourmet, we've cleaned up the dirty dozen by always recommending you choose organic.
To learn more about the Environmental Working Group, a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment, visit http://www.ewg.org.
Pack 60% More Nutrients… In Every Bite!
This group of powerful nutrients is considered Mother Nature’s pest protection. Produced inside of plants (and concentrated in the leaves and fruits) these amazing nutrients fend off pests on the farm… and fight disease in your body.
But when crops are “dusted” with pesticides, the plants take a vacation from producing these pest-protecting (and health-promoting!) compounds. The result: Foods with less cell-protecting, disease-fighting substances (not to mention the chemical residue).
Learn how you can pack 60% more nutrients into every bite by choosing foods grown in accord with nature (see Organics: Beyond Green) and the best ways to prepare your foods to increase antioxidants up to 654% (see Smart Cooks Age Better).
Click here to learn more...