We have all heard the classic saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” However, do you really know what is on that delicious apple? These day’s a wide range of harmful chemicals and toxic pesticides are used to improve things such as taste, color, size and growth rate of fruits and vegetables. The list of pesticides commonly used on foods is long and lengthy, full of names that the average person can’t even pronounce! The widespread use of pesticides is the driving force behind the increasing popularity of organic foods. But does the word “organic” on a product truly make it healthier and more nutritious for you?
Common pesticides used on fresh fruits and vegetables have been linked, through various studies, to cause dozen’s of scary health issues, many of them affecting women more than anyone else! Problems such as headaches, nausea, vomiting and skin irritation are a few of the mild health issues caused by pesticides. Birth defects, cancer and nerve damage are some of the more serious, and long term, health issues that have been linked to pesticides. So, the question is, how exactly do you avoid eating all of these harmful chemicals?
The easiest, yet sometimes expensive, way to avoid dangerous pesticides is to purchase organic foods at the grocery store. But which foods are worth paying the extra money for and which ones aren’t? Luckily, for the less savvy shoppers out there, the Environmental Working Group released what they call “The Dirty Dozen”; a list of the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables, as well as a list of the twelve least contaminated fruits and vegetables. This handy list will make navigating through the aisles of Hannaford a little bit easier on your next food shopping adventure.
Apples, strawberries, blueberries, lettuce and celery are just a few of the common foods on the “The Dirty Dozen”. The next time you’re out shopping splurge and buy the organic brand of these products, it’s definitely worth the extra money!
Looking for even more fresh fruits and vegetables? Every Saturday morning and Tuesday afternoon of the week the local Farmer’s Market is open in the Steam Plant parking lot. Ton’s of local farmer’s from the area set up tables and tents, packed with a wide assortment of delicious and fresh vegetables, from tasty summer squash to ripe and juicy tomatoes or crisp green beans. All of the food sold at the market is locally grown and harvested, eliminating any questions in regards to freshness you may have had. Not only are the vegetables guaranteed to be fresh, the prices are much more affordable than local food store prices!
So before you rush out the door on your way to grab some groceries remember to look over “The Dirty Dozen”, it will save you time, money and improve your health! And, if you have a few spare minutes this weekend check out the Farmer’s Market, filled with the freshest fruits and vegetables you can find! http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/
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