The dreaded dirty dozen, sounds like an old west outlaw group doesn’t it? If you’ve heard the phrase before, you know the dirty dozen refers to produce items most likely to have lingering pesticide residue. Below are the main offenders.

  1. Strawberries
  2. Kale
  3. Spinach
  4. Cherries
  5. Peaches
  6. Pears
  7. Apricots
  8. Apples
  9. Grapes
  10. Peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

The solution is not to eliminate these fruits and vegetables from your diet, but to make the effort to buy the organic versions. When it comes to eating organically, one clear benefit is knowing your food was grown using no synthetic pesticides. Many of these produce items are nutritionally dense and important to eat. 

Let’s break down some of these tasty items and their benefits.

Strawberries

Strawberries are packed full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. One serving provides more Vitamin C than an orange!

Apples

Another fruit full of antioxidants, including polyphenols, and vitamins E, B1, and B6. Be sure to leave the skin on, as it contains most of the antioxidants!

Celery

Celery contains vitamin C and beta carotene. It’s also a wonderful source of inflammation fighters known as phytonutrients.

Peppers

All varieties of peppers are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber

We’re big fans of all the fruits and vegetables on the dirty dozen list. That’s why it’s important to us to include local organic versions in our prepared meals. From the berries in our breakfast options, to our roasted tomato sides, and kale salad greens, we’ve made sure to only use the versions that are best for your body.

Mademeals