153763376As we’ve been changing our eating habits at the Savage household, one thing I’ve started to be more aware of is what produce I should be buying organic.

As a mom feeding seven hungry people, I usually disregarded organic options in the past because of cost. Our food budget was stretched pretty thin! Yet, I also understood that some fruits and vegetables absorb pesticides more than others and I certainly didn’t want to be feeding that to my family.

When I was introduced to the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists, it provided me with a balanced perspective of where it is valuable to spend the extra money for organic produce and where I can still choose non-organic and be safe.

If you’re not familiar with these lists, I’m including the 2014 list here. You can also find more information here.

Clean Fifteen — these are okay to buy non-organic

Asparagus
Avocados
Cabbage
178473099Cantaloupe
Sweet Corn
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Mangoes
Mushrooms
Onions
Papayas
Pineapples
Sweet Peas
Sweet Potatoes

Dirty Dozen Plus–If you can, consider organic 

Apples
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Grapes
Hot Peppers
Nectarines
178279243Peaches
Potatoes
Spinach
Strawberries
Sweet Bell Peppers
Kale/Collard Greens
Summer Squash

It’s taking a little more effort as I change some of my purchasing practices, but I believe the health trade-off is worth it.

What about you?  Have you changed any of your eating or shopping practices in exchange for health benefits?

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