Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to stay healthy. They contain antioxidants among many other vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

But what happens to those health effects when the produce is sprayed with pesticides?

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In a perfect world we’d all be able to afford all organic produce, but if your budget is anything like mine, we need to cut some corners a bit and the conventional produce keeps us where we need to be financially.

The Environmental Working group puts out a list every year on the “Dirty Dozen“, the fruits and vegetables that are either heavily sprayed, or sprayed with chemicals that are worse than others. These 12 items are the ones you’ll want to buy organically – or find substitutes for.

(starting from the worst offender)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/Collard Greens

Luckily, there are some crops that are sprayed less as they are easier to grow and keep bug and fungus free. These “Clean 15” are the ones you don’t have to worry about as much and can save a few dollars by buying conventional.

(starting from from the best pic/least toxic load)

1. Onion
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushroom

You can also download their Shopping Guide so that you always have a copy in the store with you.  Or check out their full list of where your favorite produce ranks on their pesticide scale.

How do you make sure your produce is free of (or low in) toxins?

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Donielle Baker

owner and editor of Natural Fertility and Wellness at Natural Fertility and Wellness

Donielle believes women can learn how to heal their bodies & balance their hormones through natural methods. An advocate for natural health, she has a passion for nourishing/real food nutrition and natural living. Her personal background includes both infertility and miscarriage and she started Natural Fertility and Wellness in 2008 in order to share all of the information she found helpful in her journey to heal from PCOS and overcome infertility.

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