12 Organic foods that are Worth the Extra Expense and 15 that Aren’t
By: Keith
Dr. Bruce Blumebery, Ph.D, from The University of California at Irvine says that every day the average American is exposed to 10-13 different pesticides in their food. Some of these pesticides, apart from being harmful in other ways, have been show to promote weight gain by disrupting the function of our hormonal systems. They are called Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), and scientists have started to figure out that they are partially responsible for making America fat. Two classes of pesticides, organophosphates and carbamates, have been reported in the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology to cause weight gain in mammals. Organochlorine pesticides impair thyroid function and have been linked to hyperthyroidism (which can lead to weight gain). You get the point. Pesticides and industrial chemicals mess with your endocrine system, the bunch of glands that produce all kinds of hormones that regulate your body. Consuming them is something we should all avoid, taking the necessary steps to minimize our contact with them. You’ll be happy to know that minimal exposure is possible.
The Environmental Working Group says you can reduce your level of pesticide exposure by 80% if you buy organic versions of the 12 foods that carry the most pesticides. Likewise, there are 15 conventional fruits and vegetables that carry very little or no pesticides and that are not worth the extra cost to buy organic. Here’s the list:
Buy these foods organic because they have the highest pesticide loads:
Peaches, Apples, Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Kale, Lettuce, imported grapes, Carrots, and Pears.
Now, the 15 lowest pesticide loads of which you should buy conventional versions:
Onions, Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Mangoes, Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Kiwis, Cabbages, Eggplants, Papayas, Watermelons, Broccoli, Tomatoes, and Sweet Potatoes.
The above information was gathered from the book, The New American Diet. Yes, it’s another weight-loss book; and yes, I hate weight loss books. I don’t need to lose weight, and most people who do need to lose weight probably don’t need to spend 25 bucks on a book to tell them how to do it. The point the book makes is quite interesting though, and it does manage to tie industrial chemicals and pesticides to weight gain. That information alone makes it a worthwhile read – my hatred for the genre aside.
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very informative post. i actually have hashimoto’s which is an autoimmune disorder. my body thinks my thyroid is a foreign object. the thyroid is part of the endocrine system. those who have thyroid disease aren’t supposed to eat broccoli, but that’s ok, i don’t like broccoli.lol random, i know, but just thought i’d throw that out there lol i’ve actually read a couple articles warning those w thyroid issues about pesticides.
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Yikes, I eat conventional strawberries, cherries, peaches, and other fruits. Just how bad is it if I don’t eat organic, which costs a LOT more?
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Well, Dennis, I’ve noticed a difference in myself when I eat certain organic produce vs. not. I believe it that these pesticides are making us fat. The fact is that we’ve gotten fatter as a nation faster than just pure fast food could make it happen alone. The explosion happened when pesticides and industrial chemicals started leeching into everything. It’s better to eat less if it’s quality than to get completely full off of crap.
What about hot dogs? I didn’t see them on the list…
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PapaK: LOL! Yeah, from the tropical hotdog trees!