Only in an ideal world could every single food purchase be organic, which is why the below lists can really come in handy. These reflect two important factors to consider – high levels of pesticide residue and genetically modified crops – both of which can be avoided when buying organic. And be sure to put these lists into practice beyond just the produce section. For example, with apples being at the very top of the dirty dozen list, I am sure to buy organic applesauce and apple juice as well. Plus with the majority of additives found in processed food being derived from corn and soy (both on the GMO crop list), that is another area where buying organic is key. Or better yet, just avoid the additive-filled, chemical-laden, factory-made junk all together. :) That’s just my two cents!
Be sure to check out The Environmental Working Group and Non-GMO Project for more info, and click the image below to download a free printable, wallet-sized PDF version.
April, 2017 Update: Please see my updated Dirty Dozen List here.
Whole-Wheat Cheddar Garlic Drop Biscuits
Many large organic farms use pesticides liberally. They’re organic by certification, but you’d never know it if you saw their farming practices. As Michael Pollan, best-selling book author and organic supporter, said in an interview with Organic Gardening,
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogsscientificamericancomscience-sushi20110718mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/
‘Organic’ and “non-GMO’ are fear-based marketing schemes, designed to induce the consumer to purchase the food the marketing folks want you to eat. There is no science-based concern about the nutrition or pesticide levels in any food in Canada or the USA. GMO food is 100% safe. If you think not, just investigate and you’ll discover the truth (if you care to know the truth).
Example to read:
http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2014/09/my-dog-chocolate-and-bt-sweet-corn.html
Really?! You don’t think there’s a connection between the heavily sprayed GMO crops and the state of our gut? The hybridization of wheat and genetic modification of other crops is destroying the good bacteria in our digestive systems. These. crops are HEAVILY sprayed with glyphosate. This chemical inhibits our detoxification pathyways; inhibits the absorption of minerals; and it inhibits the activation of Vit. D which is the vitamin that is the gene connector that affects our brain.. Glyphosate has been proven to destroy microorganisms in soil and it acts as an antibiotic in our body. Our entire microbiome, which is 80% of our immune system, is adversely affected. We have to change our food supply and go back to traditional farming. Food is information to our body–it signals our DNA. We are at the point now where our bodies don’t know how to handle what they’re being given. Read “Grain Brain” by David Perlmutter, M.D.