The 12 Most Important Foods to Buy Organic

We are all out to do what is best for ourselves and for our families.  Unfortunately, most of the people in the world are considered to range from middle class all the way down to completely destitute.  This means that most of us cannot afford to take the health of the planet into consideration when it comes to buying food while still being able to provide other necessities like clothing, shelter, and education.

Buying organic is expensive.  It is harder for organic farmers to get a high crop yield.  These farmers have no choice but to up prices if they want to stay in business.  But, that doesn't mean that all of us can afford a completely organic diet.  Below you will find a list of the 12 most important foods to buy organic.  Even if every individual or family can only switch to one organic product, doing so will have a very positive effect on the health of the consumers and the health of the planet over time.

1.  Apples.  Believe it or not, apples retain the most amount of pesticide after picked.  They retain so much that apple products, like applesauce and apple juice, also contain traces of pesitcides.  This makes switching to organic apples the most important choice for your personal health.

2. Celery. 

3. Strawberries.

4. Peaches

5. Spinach

6. Nectarines

7. Grapes (and grape related products such as raisins)

8. Bell Peppers

9. Potatoes

10. Blueberries

11. Lettuce

12. Kale.

All of the above foods have a least 30 pesticides on them and many of them have 60.  No matter how much you wash your food, there will still be traces of pesticides in them because the chemicals get absorbed by the foods.  But, if you cannot buy organic make sure you wash all produce thoroughly because it will reduce the amount of pesticides on the food.

Also, as we approach farmer's market season, remember that just because the food is being sold at the farmer's market does not mean it is organic.  If the food is not advertised as organic, ask the farmer if chemicals are used in their growing process.

Being "Green" has become a rather trendy lifestyle.  The lifestyle isn't for everyone and changing shopping habits overnight is unrealistic.  Try making one or two small changes toward a healthier life at a time and it will be financially and emotionally easier to stick with it.