Healthy Living: Five fruits you should buy organic

It is unfortunate that there are really more than five fruits you should buy organic. The reason for this is that fruits that are eaten without having a thick skin to protect them, are likely to have more than just a trace of pesticides. Testing is done every year to find out what percentage of the fruit being offered in stores and at farm stands have pesticides and also how much pesticide is present. It is a pretty daunting thought especially if you are serving the fruit to your children because of its high fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Apples

The old maxim is “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and while it is just as true today as ever, apples are one fruit that should be purchased organic. Apples were in the top five of the “dirty dozen” list in 2009, 2010 and 2011 according to the Daily Green. The USDA has identified 42 pesticides on the skin of apples. One alternative is to peel the skin off but many of the things that make an apple such a good choice are in the skin.

Strawberries

Strawberries are one of the super fruits but they are also loaded with pesticides. It is hard to imagine more than 50 different ones have been found on these juicy little fruits. Dr. Oz suggests soaking strawberries for two minutes and then rinsing them thoroughly. This will remove some but not all of the pesticides. The only way to be absolutely sure of not ingesting any is to buy organic strawberries. Dr. Oz suggests combining water, white vinegar, baking soda and lemon for the wash.

Peaches

Peaches are another of the fruit that ranks high for pesticide residue with over 60 different pesticides having been detected on the fruit. There is no way around it; organic is the way to go since the residue can seep through the skin. Peaches are also prone to fungus so are sprayed with a fungicide after they are harvested, not a very appealing thought in your peach cobbler or pie. A note to consumers, domestic peaches have a higher concentration of pesticides than imported peaches according to a recent report by the Consumer Health Organization of Canada.

Nectarines

Nectarines also have absorbent skins and if you can’t find them organic or can’t afford organic, peeling will help but not completely remove the issue.

Grapes

Grapes that are imported are worse than domestic though that does not mean that domestic grapes are safe, it just means that they are not quite as bad as for instance grapes imported from Chile. Grapes from Chile average 92 % contaminated and domestic grapes had only 65% per Inspiration Green’s review of USDA data. If you are feeling lucky you can take your chances, but organic is best.

Everyone knows that fruits are good for you and are part of a healthy diet. Buying organic fruit is expensive and not something that everyone can do. If you are willing to buy just a few organic things, these are the ones you should start with.

For some recipes using these fruits: 

Apple Pan Dowdy

Strawberry rhubarb upsidedown cake

Best Cooking Apples