Pesticides and Chemicals in Our Foods

To follow along with my current healthy diet theme, I decided to research pesticides in foods because the amount ingested in our and our childrens’ lifetimes can dramatically affect our health and cancer risks.

We all need to focus on foods with the least burden of pesticides, additives, and hormones. Generally we can avoid pesticide exposure by 80% when we avoid the most contaminated vegetables and fruits, and even less exposure when we use a natural cleansing spray.

A government study showed that if you have 5 servings (the least amount recommended/day in a healthy diet) from the most contaminated foods, you will consume 10 pesticides/day. If you consume 5 servings from the least contaminated foods, you will consume 2 pesticides/day. Below are the current worst and cleanest foods.

Current Worst Foods (should buy organic if at all possible)

1. peach
2. apple
3. bell peppers
4. celery
5. nectarine
6. strawberries
7. cherries
8. kale
9. lettuce (can have some of the most potent pesticides)
10. grapes (imported are much worse)
11. carrots (better if you scrub and peel)
12. pears
13. white potatoes (have pesticides and fungicides)

15 Cleanest (currently) – still best to wash well and with veggie spray

1.  onion
2.  avocado
3.  sweet corn
4.  pineapple
5.  mango
6.  asparagus
7.  sweet peas
8.  kiwi
9.  cabbage
10. eggplant
11. papaya
12. watermelon
13. broccoli
14. tomatoes (used to be on the worst list)
15. sweet potatoes

Milk-contains pesticides and hormones, best to buy organic or almond, soy, or rice milk

Meat– buy organic to avoid hormones (not much pesticides)

Coffee (often grown in countries without pesticide regulation) – look for USDA Organic label and a step further with Fair Trade Certified label (supports farmers being paid and treated fairly)

Farm Fresh Delivery is a great source of excellent well priced organic local vegetables and fruits which are delivered to you door

“Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides” is a great iPhone application!