30 April 2009
The Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” (12 foods you should try to buy organic). By avoiding conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that make up the DD, you can lower your exposure to pesticides by almost 80 percent*.
The Nutrition Diva’s advice for when to buy organic:
First and foremost, I try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and I try to buy things that are in season where I live because they will be fresher and therefore more nutritious. If the organic is even close to the same cost as conventional, I always choose organic. Not only is it better for me but I believe it is better for the environment and, therefore, better for everyone.
When the organically grown stuff is a lot more expensive, I will choose conventionally grown for the fruits and vegetables that have lower pesticide residues. For the Dirty Dozen, I suck it up and pay for organic…or do without. This system keeps my grocery bills in line, my pesticide exposure to a minimum, and gives me the biggest bang for my organic buck.
*Nutrition Diva had this stat wrong on her site. In case there was any question about the validity of this, check out the EWG’s methodology and decide for yourself.
