Pick the Right Produce: Your Shopping Cheat Sheet

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You don't need to buy everything organic to stay pesticide-free. Print out this handy-dandy guide for your next shopping trip.

Surprise: Some conventionally grown fruits and veggies are relatively pesticide-free, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that strives to protect public health. When you're buying any of the "Dirty Dozen," which are more likely to be contaminated with chemicals, it's worth spending a little extra on organically grown varieties. Carry this shopping cheat sheet in your purse.

The Clean 15 (from Best to Worst)

Onions
Avocados
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mangoes
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet Potato
Honeydew Melon

The Dirty Dozen (from Worst to Best)

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Bell Peppers
Spinach
Kale
Cherries
Potatoes
Grapes (imported)

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, October 2010.

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abandba wrote:

Corn may have fewer pesticides, but that's because it's a GMO (genetically modified), specifically, in part, to reduce the need for pesticides. Just sayin'. Because it's GMO, I'd put it at the top of the 'dirty' list, alongside soybeans and wheat.

9/9/2012 07:26:25 AM Report Abuse

alleymmg1 wrote:

Wow..I can't believe so many of my favs are on the dirty dozen..Thank for the tips, I definitly will carry this with me!! * iahve been recently buying organic strawberries, because they looked more red, plump, and smelled so much better that the non-organic!! They tasted heavenly too...BEST Tasting Strawberries I've EVER had!!

9/8/2012 02:47:31 PM Report Abuse

celery7 wrote:

The Dirty Dozen (from Worst to Best) * Celery * Peaches ... The advice is to try - if possible - to buy these organic, rather than conventional ("worse" means the highest level of pesticide)

3/13/2011 11:23:19 PM Report Abuse

slashchilla wrote:

whats wrong with celery? i love celery!

3/13/2011 05:31:43 PM Report Abuse

kdriscoll2 wrote:

For those complaining about not seeing an item - they only picked the top ten in each category. You can see some more food items here: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-top-10-foods-to-eat-organically.html# Love stuff like these lists - please keep posting them - very helpful!

3/12/2011 09:37:02 AM Report Abuse