Organic Produce Shopping Guide

organic produceI’ve always been a healthy person, I’ve always been athletic, and I’ve always eaten pretty well.

When I got pregnant with my daughter in 2009, all of that was suddenly just not good enough. I knew that I needed to step it up a notch to insure my daughter got the best of the best. I was young and I was newly pregnant, and I was so cautious and paranoid about what I did and what I ate while I was pregnant. I was a runner, and I was cleared by my doctor to continue with my running, as long as I listened to my body. I picked up full time yoga (and never let go). I read a book on what to eat and what not to eat while pregnant which led me to tossing my “healthy yogurt” because it had aspartame (a very unhealthy sugar substitute) in it.

After I tossed my yogurt, I got curious as to what else I had in my kitchen that could be of harm to my daughter. I cleared out quite a bit, read a ton of labels, got a subscription to Clean Eating, and went grocery shopping for replacement items. I thought I needed organic everything, but it was so expensive!

I did a little more research and found the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists. The dirty dozen is a list of fruits and veggies that should seriously be purchased organic; they have higher levels of pesticides, which aren’t good for you (or baby if you are pregnant!) The clean 15 are items that don’t necessarily need to be purchased organic, since the pesticide levels are lower.

The Dirty Dozen + Some

  1. Apples (This one is so important! The average conventionally grown apple has more pesticide residue on it than any other fruit or veggie & researchers aren’t totally sure what these pesticides do to our bodies or the environment.)
  2. Peaches
  3. Nectarines
  4. Strawberries
  5. Grapes
  6. Celery
  7. Spinach
  8. Sweet bell peppers
  9. Cucumbers
  10. Tomatoes
  11. Snap peas
  12. Potatoes
  13. Hot peppers
  14. Kale/collard greens

The Clean 15

  1. Asparagus
  2. Avocados
  3. Cabbage
  4. Cantaloupe
  5. Cauliflower
  6. Grapefruit
  7. Kiwi
  8. Mango
  9. Onion
  10. Papayas
  11. Pineapples
  12. Sweet corn
  13. Sweet peas
  14. Sweet potatoes
  15. Eggplant

I know that organic items sometimes cost more than conventional items, so I really hope this list helps you. You can also save tons of money by hitting up a local farmers market or by growing your own produce. We have an amazing garden this year filled with a variety of organic veggies all for the cost of a pouch of seeds. AMAZING!

My pregnancy was a blessing in many ways. It introduced me to an entirely different way of eating and several lifelong passions. Now, my family eats very healthy, we juice, we are active, and we have a strong passion for healthy living & sharing what we learn along the way.

More info can be found here, where I gathered the items for the lists above! http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

What fruits & veggies do you try to buy organic? 

 

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Lauren
I’m a local Okie, wife, and mom of two. I work full time and teach yoga a few nights a week. I am very passionate about family and healthy living. I love to play with my babies & I cherish every moment I get with them. I love to bake, play in the garden, and stay active. My house is never clean, my family is (usually) always happy, and I drink way too much coffee.

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