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12 Foods You Need to Buy Organic

12 Foods You Need to Buy Organic

Written by
November 7, 2016
Updated January 29, 2019
Category: Nutrition

If you’re asking what foods you need to buy organic, this information will help.

Organic foods can be much more expensive than their conventional counterparts, and while I as a nutritionist prefer to see everyone buying organic foods, I do realize that this can get expensive, especially when feeding a family.

Fortunately, certain foods have the natural built-in ability to resist holding on to certain pesticides and toxins, leaving them a little bit “cleaner” than other foods.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a resourceful non-profit agency with a mission to protect humans and the environment, has provided two lists that aid in the organic versus conventional conundrum.

I recommend memorizing, copying to your phone, or printing out and keeping each of these lists with you while you’re in the grocery store.

Knowing these fruits and vegetables can go a long way in saving you money, and more importantly, your health.

Please keep in mind that just because the list says “clean” does not mean that these foods were not treated with pesticides.

They were likely sprayed and treated with toxic chemicals, but their ability to defend from these toxins is just a little bit better, making them less toxic than the others.

Also, please remember that these foods may very well be genetically modified organisms (GMO) so if you’re looking to avoid that, buy organic – by definition, organic foods are not allowed to be GMO.

The Clean 15

The Clean Fifteen list contains the cleanest 15 fruits and vegetables of the 48 most sold items.

1. Avocados

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

2. Sweet Corn

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

 3. Pineapples

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

4. Cabbage

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

5. Sweet Peas

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

6. Onions

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

7. Asparagus

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

 8. Mangos

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

9. Papayas

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

 10. Kiwi

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

 11. Eggplant

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

12. Grapefruit

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

13. Cantaloupe

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

14. Cauliflower

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

15. Sweet potatoes

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

The Dirty Dozen Foods You Need to Buy Organic

The Dirty Dozen list contains the dirtiest 12 fruits and vegetables of the 48 most sold items.

1. Apples

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists
2. Peaches

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

3. Nectarines

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

4. Strawberries

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

5. Grapes

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

6. Celery

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

 7. Spinach

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

8. Sweet bell peppers

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

9. Cucumbers

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

10. Cherry tomatoes

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

11. Snap peas – imported

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

12. Potatoes

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

+ Hot Peppers +

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

+ Kale/Collard greens +

EWG's Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean Fifteen Lists

Brenda is a nutritionist who believes in using whole foods and the philosophies of functional medicine to help clients reach optimal health. She has a background in psychology, pre-medicine, and chemistry, and she is currently completing a certification in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition. After seven years of working in Alzheimer’s Disease, neuroscience, and nutritional research, she left academia to utilize her acquired nutrition and research skills to help others.
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