What Should You Always Buy Organic?

June 26, 2013

When you should totally pass on the pesticides, and when it won't kill you   The produce aisle and the blackjack table have a lot in common.  Both are a gamble. Roll of the dice and you may take home a filthy bag of pesticide-soaked spinach or a shiny bunch of organic tomatoes. We know you do your best to steer clear of chemicals in your food, but sometimes a bitch has a budget - which means that the cost difference between organic avocados and the regular ones could buy you a bottle of Two Buck Chuck. And you don't fuck around when it comes to your wine. So, which fruits and veggies should you spend more on? Which ones can you get away with not buying organic? You gotta know when to hold ‘em, and when to throw ‘em. If you're looking to do right by your body without breaking the bank, you can still come up a winner. Our friends at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have been publishing guides on the dirtiest and cleanest foods since 1995, based on the statistical analysis of the USDA and FDA. For 2013, here are the most updated lists compiled to spill the dirt: “The Dirty Dozen Plus” and the “The Clean 15.”  Tests were run in order to find out the amount of pesticide residue found in non-organic fruits and vegetables after they had been pressure washed. The produce that made the “Dirty Dozen” list has tested positive for at least 47 different chemicals in the past, with some testing positive for as many as 67. Yuck.  And that wasn't just in the skin, my friend.  They found traces all the way down into the seeds. By making sure that you stick to organic when buying the fruit and veggies from this list, you can reduce your exposure to harmful toxins by as much as 80 percent. But you can rest easy when you can’t afford to buy organic. Just purchase conventional from the “Clean 15″ list. This list outlines the produce least affected by the chemicals they came in contact with. Mainly due to thicker skin, these items are able to keep from absorbing the toxins much better than those on the “Dirty Dozen” list. Of course, we’re advocates of buying as locally and organic as possible, but in this day and age, we could all use a financial break every now and again. Here’s a little pass when you need one. The Dirty Dozen +: Celery Apple Cherry tomatoes Cucumbers Grapes Nectarines (imported) Hot peppers Peaches Spinach Potatoes Strawberries Bell peppers Kale/collard greens Summer squash Clean 15 Asparagus Avocado Cabbage Canteloupe Sweet corn Eggplant Grapefruit Kiwi Mango Mushrooms Onions Papaya Pineapple Sweet peas (frozen) Sweet potatoes While it’s said that it’s “safe” to consume the “Clean 15,” never miss out on a thorough wash of your produce. In fact, conventional as well as organic should always be washed and treated with a special veggie wash such as Eat Cleaner. Water just doesn’t cut it.  For conventional produce, a veggie wash won’t get rid of all pesticides or nasty shit, but it helps. Even when eating organic, your produce can be touched by 20 sets of hands before reaching your fork, so take every precaution possible to stay clean. That mouth of yours is dirty enough.