When should you buy organic?

Our new Well Powered group is off to a great start! Last night we talked about the link between inflammation and weight and the best foods to eat to reduce inflammation. As we emphasized the importance of eating a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables, a few questions were raised about organic products. "Should we be buying organic fruits and vegetables?" "Which are the most important to buy organic?" We explained the concept of "Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen" but didn't have a list handy to read off. We decided to share it here for all of our Well Powered members and blog readers! The "clean fifteen" are those produce that have been tested bye the USDA and shown to have the lowest amounts of pesticides. The "dirty dozen" are those that have the highest amounts of pesticide. For more information, visit the Environmental Working Group website:

Clean Fifteen (OK to buy non-organic)

1. Avocados

2. Corn

3. Pineapples

4. Cabbage

5. Sweet Peas (frozen)

6. Onions

7. Asparagus

8. Mango

9. Papaya

10. Kiwi

11. Eggplant

12. Honeydew Melon

13. Grapefruit

14. Cantaloupe

15. Cauliflower

Dirty Dozen (Buy these organic when possible)

1. Strawberries

2. Apples

3. Nectarines

4. Peaches

5. Celery

6. Grapes

7. Cherries

8. Spinach

9. Cherry Tomatoes

10. Sweet Bell Peppers

12. Cucumbers

+ Hot Peppers (trace levels of hazardous pesticides)

+ Kale/collard greens (trace levels of hazardous pesticides)