How many of us get enough veggies in our life? We have known and been told that we need to eat both vegetables and fruit daily. Why? Because vegetables and fruits are nutrient dense: they contain an incredible amount of vitamins, minerals and are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and other phytonutrients. These nutrients protect your cells and many organs with their ability to fight the free radicals that damage cells. 

Now we all know that we SHOULD eat organic, when possible right? And we all know that organic can be expensive. Would it help if I could list for you which fruits and veggies that are the known to have the most pesticide and residue? And what if I could narrow that list down to about dozen items to strictly avoid, would you? 

The Dirty Dozen

A consumer protection organization, the Environmental Working Group or EWG puts together a list each year of the 12 most toxic vegetables called “  The Dirty Dozen” .  EWG has singled out produce with the highest pesticide loads. 

Did You Know?

The average potato had more pesticides by weight than any other produce.

A single grape sample and a sweet bell pepper sample contained 15 pesticides.

Single samples of cherry tomatoes, nectarines, peaches, imported snap peas and strawberries showed 13 different pesticides apiece.

Here are the Dirtiest of Dirty Dozen from 2017:

1. strawberries, 

2. spinach, 

3. nectarines, 

4. apples, 

5. peaches, 

6. celery, 

7. grapes, 

8. pears, 

9. cherries, 

10. tomatoes, 

11. sweet bell peppers 

12. and potatoes.

Shop Organic

My first rule is to Shop Organic. Haven’t you ever wondered if those pesticides would eventually cause you harm. Well surprise, they are not only kill pests, the are carcinogenic as well. And these days the pesticides do not just wash off like they did generations ago. You cannot wash the pesticides out of GMO’s. The advent of GMOs has not allowed the farmers to use less pesticides, but MORE. Farmers now use more pesticides than ever before! 

But Organic is more Expensive!

Have you priced cancer lately! Sure your insurance will pick up some of the tab, but not all. And no insurance company can reimburse you for the pain, grief and suffering that comes with a cancer diagnosis and eventual treatment. Who has time for that? 

Food is Medicine

Let’s realize for a moment that FOOD CAN BE your MEDICINE! Actually good nutrition helps to keep you healthy. This means fewer trips to the pharmacy, less prescriptions, less brain fogginess and irritable GI troubles. Here is to more vitality and less toxicity in your life!

Dr Craig Eymann Chiropractor and Clinical Nutritionist is avialable for Dietary Consulations.

Reach me t 831-425-1288