Getting Results
When to go Organic
Is it really necessary to eat organic foods? Are they really better?
Yes.
Organic foods, especially when paired with responsible and/or biodynamic farming methods can be more nutritious, more flavourful and healthier than chemically grown produce.
Chemical residues in our foods are the real concern - they are present in all foods in varying levels, and unfortunately also on some organic produce (although not commonly and in far lesser amounts). The effects of chemical load on our bodies is not good. Some chemicals have been proven repeatedly to be neurotoxins or carcinogens. Research is ongoing and arguments abound between concerned consumers, farmers and corporations selling pesticides and herbicides.
To add to complications, chemical residue levels vary from product to producy and country to country, plus regulatory laws are different (and less adhered to) across continents.
If money was in endless supply then it would be great to eat all organic, locally produced foods. This, however, is not reality and we need to make choices of food purchases which fit into our shopping budgets.
So, with this in mind, I have compiled a list of non-organic, regular foods that have been recorded as having the highest levels of chemical residues.
This is not a complete or concise list as things start to get a bit complicated...for example, mango's are generally OK but previously, Mango from Thailand had very high residue. Limes are generally OK, but from some from Brazil are not....and on it goes. Hence this list contains the worst produce for chemical load from multiple suppliers worldwide.
Fruits
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Apricots
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Pears
- Cherries
- Figs
Vegetables
- Okra
- Celery
- Lettuce and salad greens
- Kale
- Brussell sprouts
- Leeks
- Vine leaves
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Courgette
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sugarsnap peas
- Herbs (especially coriander, dill, mint, basil)
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Green beans
Other
- Soya beans
- Oats
- Barley
- Sunflower seeds
- Milk
If you are suffering from a health condition which is linked to, or aggravated by chemical intake, then it is advisable for you to reduce consumption of non-organic produce as much as possible.
Please note, some organic foods from Asia have recorded high chemical residue levels, so if you or a family member have a health condition that requires avoidance of chemicals, you should check lables carefully for Country of Origin.
Mind Body Nutrition Ireland,
Units 2c, The Orantown Centre, Oranmore, Galway
Telephone: 0818 287 212
Mobile: 085 2138341
Email: info@mindbodynutrition.ie