The Dirty Dozen: Eat Only If Organically Grown

Have you ever heard of the Dirty Dozen? This list of whole foods represents foods that have been found to have the most pesticide residue. Because of this, it is recommended that the foods from the Dirty Dozen list be eaten only if organically grown, not conventionally grown.

The Environmental Working Group has also added two new additions this year, taking the list to 14 foods. There is research to suggest however, that eating a diet that is plentiful in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables is still a better choice than not eating them at all. Still, you can lower your pesticide exposure if you choose organically grown fruits and vegetables that are on the Dirty Dozen list:

• Apples
• Celery
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Collard greens & Kale
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Hot Peppers
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Summer Squash
• Sweet Bell Peppers

Watch the video below with Dr. Sanjay Gupta as he walks us through the produce section of a grocery store to show us which foods should be purchased only if organically grown.