Updated Dirty Dozen, Clean 15 & Top things to Always Buy Organic

Last Updated on April 26, 2022

Updated Cleanse 15 & Dirty Dozen + Top Things to Always buy Organic

People ask me if I always eat everything organic. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t.

Don’t get me wrong organic options are best… Especially, if you’re passionate about preventing cancer*, hormone*, and fertility issues*… which I am.

But even as a fitness and health coach it’s pretty impossible to strictly eat organic foods stamped with the USDA organic certifying agent’s seal.

HINT:  This symbol means it’s certified organic.  A lot of unethical food manufacturers use the word ‘organic’ on food packaging but that doesn’t mean all of the ingredients are non-toxic.  I see this a lot on organic almond milk.

Plus, eating organic is not always necessary.

When you know what to buy inorganic and what foods are best organic – you can avoid toxic chemicals that can cause metabolic dysfunction and hormone issues.  You can save a lot of money at the grocery store, too.

That’s why I wanted to share today’s episode of CCtv with you.

In it, I explain more about the Top 3 things you should always buy organic so you can invest wisely and save money on your grocery bill.

When you’re done watching, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  I love hearing from you. xo

Use the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists to choose what produce to buy organic.

In the video I mention the EWG…

What is the EWG?

EWG stands for The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.  Their mission is to empower people to live healthy lives in a healthy environment.

They let you know about toxic chemicals that may be in your tap water, beauty & hygiene products, and food.

They research what’s in our tap water, cosmetics, foods with genetically modified organisms (GMO / GE) and foods that are high in pesticides, etc. then put out lists of things to look for at the grocery store.

The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ (aka Dirty Dozen and Clean 15) ranks pesticide contamination on 48 popular fruits and vegetables and it’s updated every year.

The guide is based on results of more than 35,200 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FDA (aka Food and Drug Administration).

• The Top 15 foods with the least pesticides are called the Clean 15.
• The 12 foods with the most pesticides are called the Dirty Dozen.
• These lists are fantastic to take with you on your shopping trips to know when to buy organic and when it’s ok to buy conventional.

Luckily, avocados are at the tippy top of the clean list!  (Woo!  Even more reason to try my Avocado Egg Recipe if you haven’t already.)

Eating the Clean 15 inorganic and investing in the organic varieties of the Dirty Dozen (and Top 25!) will help you avoid the most toxic chemicals possible.

Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen

Current Clean 15 List

Last Updated 2022

The clean 15 are okay to buy in-organic.

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn*
3. Pineapples
4. Onions
5. Papayas*
6. Frozen Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew Melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Mushrooms
12. Cantaloupe
13. Mangoes
14. Watermelon
15. Sweet Potatoes

 
* Per the EWG, a small amount of sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from Genetically Engineered (GE) seed stock. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid Genetically Engineered (GMO) produce.  I personally only buy organic options of them.

That’s what bugs me about the EWG’s Clean 15 List…  they don’t give you a bigger picture so you’ll know if a food is safe or not.

A food could be engineered to withstand pests so it won’t need as many chemicals… and this list is only ranking chemical exposure… not genetic engineering / GMO, too.

Here’s EWG’s current (2021) dirty dozen list.  I find it better to focus more on what’s dirty – so you know what’s riskier to your health and best to buy organic.

Dirty Dozen List

Last Updated 2022

It’s best to buy the organic options of the Dirty Dozen.

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard, & Mustard Greens
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Bell & Hot Peppers
8. Cherries
9. Peaches
10. Pears
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes

There are 3 things I recommend always buying organic and the dirty dozen is at the top of my list.

If you read the full EWG report of all the foods you’ll notice that the list of produce exposed to chemicals extends up over 50+.

I buy the Dirty Dozen Organic up to the Top 25 “Dirty” fruits & veggies and suggest you do, too.

The full list includes a lot of other produce items that have been in the top dirty dozen list before or foods that are dirty but aren’t on the dirty dozen because they’re genetically engineered to not need as many pesticides.

MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS ARE DIRTY, TOO

Another problem with the EWG’s dirty dozen list is it only includes produce – not animals and animal products.

It’s very common for commercially raised livestock to be raised on GMO grains like corn, wheat, and soy – resulting in dirty meat and animal products.

That’s why I recommend eating organic animal proteins and products, like milk and cheese, in addition to the dirty dozen & Top 25 dirty produce items.

I hope this post helped you.

If it did, please let me know in the comments.

xo

Your Coach and Biggest Cheerleader

PS.  If you liked this post you’ll love these, too.

• 50+ Tips to Eat Healthy & Buy Organic Food on a Budget
• (Vegan) Avocado Eggs Recipe
• Avocado Pudding Recipe
• Healthy Mood & Immunity Boosting Red Cabbage Recipe 

Sources:

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2659557
• https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/safer-food-healthier-you#1
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2707948