Beware of Dirty Dozen Foods

The Dirty Dozen foods refer to fruits and vegetables that tend to carry higher levels of pesticide residues, making it important to shop wisely and wash produce thoroughly. By being aware of high-residue items and choosing organic options when possible, you can reduce pesticide exposure and support healthier eating habits. Making informed produce choices helps protect your health while still enjoying the nutritional benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. Contact us today or book an appointment online for personalized care that works for you. Conveniently located at 150 Overlook Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

As you go about your diet plan, making sure you are not eating foods that are highly contaminated is just as important as making sure you are eating the proper amount of calories, proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fats.

Many ‘healthy’ foods are anything but by the time they hit your grocer’s freezer, so by learning what the dozen are to avoid, you can prevent all the unwanted health implications that can occur from taking in pesticides and other chemicals. Some of these negative side effects can include hormone disruption, cancer development, and brain toxicity. While you may not see these conditions developing rapidly, over years of consuming these ‘dirty’ produce varieties, your chances of seeing problems significantly increase.

Since all these foods are still considered to be quite healthy, if your budget allows or your physician-supervised weight loss program calls for them, simply opt to purchase the organic varieties instead.

Organic produce has been grown free from all chemicals, so it will be safer to put into your system. This will come at a slightly increased cost, but if you just purchase the following in organic varieties, you can help keep your budget in check.

Also keep in mind for a couple of these, if you choose to peel them before eating, that can also help to remove the most toxic part of the produce. The downside? You’ll lose a high percentage of the total fiber that food possesses. So as in the case of apples and potatoes, if you must buy non-organic, this is the smart way to serve them.

Here are the dirty dozen to steer clear of, as per the Environmental Study Group, using tests for pesticides done by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture. The lower number has higher pesticide residues.

1) Apples
2) Strawberries
3) Grapes
4) Celery
5) Peaches
6) Spinach
7) Sweet bell Peppers
8) Nectarines—imported
9) Cucumbers
10) Cherry tomatoes
11) Snap peas (imported)
12) Potatoes

So pay attention to these foods as you hit the produce aisle. Buy in-season organic varieties of these whenever possible, and you’ll keep your grocery budget in check and your health in mind.

Dr Anjana Chhabra