With food prices where they are today, many families can’t afford to buy as much organic produce as they want.
The smart move is to buy organic where it will have the greatest impact.
“Think about the fruits and vegetables that your family routinely eats, and where do they fall on the list of potential risk,” said Consumer Reports nutritionist Amy Keating.
Consumer Reports analyzed five years of pesticide residue data from the USDA, and created a dietary risk index for various kinds of produce.
“So, in terms of prioritizing where you should be spending your organic dollars: For fruit it’s apples, blueberries, pears, strawberries and for vegetables it’s celery, green beans, kale, lettuce (like romaine), potatoes, spinach and zucchini,” Keating said.
By doing this, you’ll lower your family’s exposure to pesticide, you’ll be helping the environment, and the farm workers who are exposed to pesticides.
Keating said parents might want to prioritize organic when buying the fruits and veggies that their kids eat.
“Because of the small body size of children and the fact that they’re still developing, so kids are more likely to be vulnerable when it comes to pesticide exposure,” she told me.
More Info: Which Food to Buy Organic (and How to Spend Less When You Do)
