{Eat Well} 2014 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

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Don't want to eat produce covered in toxins? Neither do we! And neither does the Environmental Working Group, which thankfully tracks what's actually in and on our food. In April they released their annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides, which breaks down which fruits and veggies have the most pesticides and which have the fewest. Their goal is to bring transparency to our food supply and help us decide when it's worth shilling out extra for organic produce. What's not to love? 

If it fits in your budget, the EWG recommends buying organic whenever possible. But if you're like us, organic produce is a special treat. Regardless of budget, the guide can help all of us make more informed, healthy choices when buying fruits and veggies.  And remember - the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh risks of pesticide exposure. Dig in!

Fruits and veggies with the most pesticides (the "Dirty Dozen"):
Apples
Strawberries
Grapes
Celery
Peaches
Spinach
Sweet bell peppers
Nectarines (imported)
Cucumbers
Cherry tomatoes
Snap peas (imported)
Potatoes

Fruits and veggies with the least pesticides (the "Clean Fifteen"):
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Cabbage
Sweet peas (frozen)
Onions
Asparagus
Mangos
Papayas
Kiwi
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Sweet potatoes

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