Dirty Dozen 2019: The Fruits and Veggies You Should Buy Organic

Hey there, health-conscious foodies! Welcome back to our little corner of the internet. Today, we're diving into an important topic that might just change the way you shop for your fresh produce. We're talking about the Dirty Dozen 2019, the annual list released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that highlights the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. So, grab your reusable shopping bags and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and dirty dozen 2019.

Why Should You Care About the Dirty Dozen?

Before we jump into the list, let's talk about why this matters. Pesticides are designed to kill living organisms, and while they're meant to target pests, they can also pose risks to human health. Some studies have linked pesticide exposure to a range of health issues, from developmental problems to certain types of cancer. By opting for organic produce from the Dirty Dozen 2019 list, you can significantly reduce your exposure to these chemicals.

The Dirty Dozen 2019: The List

Alright, enough with the intro, let's get to the main event! Here are the Dirty Dozen 2019, the fruits and veggies that you should consider buying organic:

1. Strawberries Oh, strawberries, how we love thee! But we also fear thee, with your pesticide-laden skin. According to the EWG, strawberries had the highest pesticide load of any fruit tested. In fact, some samples of conventional strawberries tested positive for 20 different pesticides and herbicides. Yikes!

2. Spinach Next up, we have spinach, a leafy green that's packed with nutrients and pesticides. The EWG found that nearly 98% of spinach samples tested positive for detectable pesticide residues. Double yikes!

3. Kale We're sorry to say, but your favorite superfood might not be as super as you think. Kale made the Dirty Dozen 2019 list, with more than 92% of samples testing positive for two or more pesticide residues.

4. Nectarines These juicy fruits might look innocent, but don't be fooled. Nectarines had some of the highest pesticide residues of all the fruits tested. In fact, 97% of nectarine samples had at least two pesticides, and some had as many as 15.

5. Apples You might think that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what if that apple is covered in pesticides? Apples have consistently topped the Dirty Dozen list, and 2019 was no different. The EWG found that 99% of apple samples had at least one pesticide residue.

6. Grapes Grapes are a tasty treat, but they're also a pesticide-laden one. The EWG found that 96% of grape samples had at least two pesticide residues, with some samples testing positive for up to 15 different pesticides.

7. Peaches Here's another stone fruit that's hiding a not-so-sweet secret. Peaches had some of the highest pesticide residues of all the fruits tested, with 99% of samples testing positive for at least one pesticide.

8. Cherries Cherries might be small, but they're certainly not sweet when it comes to pesticide residues. The EWG found that 43 different pesticides were detected on cherry samples, with some samples testing positive for as many as 10 different pesticides.

9. Pears Pears might look innocent, but they're hiding a dirty secret. The EWG found that 92% of pear samples had at least two pesticide residues, with some samples testing positive for as many as 10 different pesticides.

10. Bell Peppers Bell peppers are a colorful addition to any meal, but they're also a pesticide-laden one. The EWG found that 99% of bell pepper samples had at least one pesticide residue, with some samples testing positive for as many as 17 different pesticides.

11. Hot Peppers Hot peppers might be spicy, but they're also hiding a not-so-spicy secret. The EWG found that 97% of hot pepper samples had at least one pesticide residue, with some samples testing positive for as many as 15 different pesticides.

12. Potatoes Rounding out the Dirty Dozen 2019 list are potatoes. The EWG found that 87% of potato samples had at least one pesticide residue, with some samples testing positive for as many as 10 different pesticides.

What About the Clean Fifteen?

Now that we've scared you off from conventional produce, let's talk about the other side of the coin. The Clean Fifteen is the EWG's list of the fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide loads. These are the produce items that you can feel good about buying conventionally grown. Here are the Clean Fifteen for 2019:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Frozen sweet peas
5. Onions
6. Papaya
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Cauliflower
12. Cantaloupe
13. Broccoli
14. Mushrooms
15. Honeydew melon

How to Shop the Dirty Dozen 2019

So, what's a health-conscious consumer to do? The good news is that you don't have to go broke buying organic produce all the time. Here are some tips for shopping the Dirty Dozen 2019:

Buy organic when you can: If you can afford to buy organic produce from the Dirty Dozen list, that's great! But don't stress if you can't. Every little bit helps. Wash your produce: Even if you're buying conventional produce, washing it thoroughly can help remove some pesticide residues. Use a produce wash or simply scrub your fruits and veggies under cold water. Peel when you can: Some pesticides are more likely to be found on the skin of produce. If you can, peel your produce to reduce your exposure to pesticides. Grow your own: If you have the space, consider growing your own produce. You'll know exactly what's going into your food, and you'll save money too! * Support local farmers: Buying from local farmers can help support sustainable agriculture and give you access to fresh, seasonal produce.

The Bottom Line

The Dirty Dozen 2019 is a helpful guide for consumers who want to make informed decisions about their produce. By opting for organic produce from the Dirty Dozen list, you can significantly reduce your exposure to pesticides and support sustainable agriculture. So, the next time you're at the grocery store, keep this list in mind and do your best to buy organic when you can. Your body will thank you!

Until next time, happy shopping and happy eating!