The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

Would you like the good news or the bad news? The bad news is that there are 12 types of produce that contain a nasty amount of pesticides and should be avoided in a non-organic form. The good news, however, is that there are 15 types of produce that contain little to no types of pesticides in their non-organic state. The two different labels are referred to as the "Dirty Dozen," and the "Clean Fifteen." I'll leave it up to you to decipher which is which! Why might one fruit contain more pesticides than another? It is the same reason that one person might be offended easily, while another person may be difficult to insult. It has to do with being thick skinned! Take for example, an avocado: the goodness on the inside is protected by a tough and substantial skin—while in the other hand, an apple has a thin and penetrable skin that is easily infiltrated by pesticides in the soil.

No one wants to be told what to do. I am not here to scare you with the risks of eating non-organically. Although, I must provide the abbreviated list of substances that are likely being consumed: toxins, antibiotics, irradiation, hormones, etc. Many of these chemicals are carcinogenic and are linked to causing other diseases. Now, its not like you are eating the pesticides strait from the bucket, but there are still trace amounts found in the produce. The risk does not arise by eating one genetically modified tomato. The accumulation of toxins over years of eating, without detoxing, is where the danger lies. Quite simply, organic produce just tastes better. I first experienced this with a big red crunchy organic apple.

It is easy to obsess over the debate: to do or not to do organic. The immediate effect on your checkbook often times does not outway the potential impending effect of disease. You can look at it like this: if you spend less on processed junk food, then you can spend more on vibrant, thriving, wholesome produce. The provided list is to help you save money and save your health.