When selecting foods to nourish our families, most parents opt for the healthiest options they possibly can. Since produce is a staple for any healthy diet, parents may find themselves torn on whether or not organic produce truly makes a difference. Foods and formulas that are organic are free from chemicals that non-organic options may contain, which makes them a top pick for purchasing. However, they often come at a higher cost than non-organic options. This alone leaves room for a whole lot of guess work when it comes to grocery shopping! There is a helpful guide however that has been released by The Environmental Working Group (EWG) that sheds some light on what exactly you should be purchasing organic, as well as conventional options that are perfectly healthy, too.
The EWG’s list of the Dirty Dozen features the twelve produce items that you should opt to purchase organically to reduce the consumption of synthetic pesticides and fertilizer residue. On the flip side, the EWG has also compiled a list of the Clean Fifteen, sharing the conventional fruits and vegetables that are perfectly safe with little to no pesticide residue compared to their organic counterparts. You can find both of those lists for reference below as well as tips for making healthy selections while shopping. Towards the end of our article, we will also be sharing key tips for selecting organic formula for your littlest family member(s)!
Dirty Dozen:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Bell Peppers and Hot Peppers
- Celery
- Tomatoes
Clean Fifteen:
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kiwi
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melon
- Cantaloupe
A surefire way to be sure your fruits and veggies are 100% free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizer is to grow your own! While starting a garden is something many families enjoy, others prefer purchasing produce opposed to growing it. When purchasing produce, whether organic or not, always be sure to thoroughly wash the outer layer and peel as necessary before eating. Select from a variety of fruits and vegetables as well to be sure you have a plentiful supply from various nutrient groups. Lastly, don’t allow the stress of organic vs non-organic produce options keep you from serving up fresh food for your little one. If finding organic options is tough at times or the cost deters you, aim for a healthy balance and rest assured that your little one will benefit from consuming regular fruits and vegetables opposed to none at all.
Likewise, when choosing formula for our littlest loved ones, organic options are always best. Here at Organic Baby Food Shop, we are proud to offer the best organic formula for your baby! Produced in Europe without added sugars, GMOs, soy, gluten, harmful toxins, or chemicals, our formula is produced by free-range cows and goats raised on certified organic, biodynamic farms. We offer Lebenswert, Holle, and HiPP to offer your little one the very best nourishment. Plus, they are offered at the lowest prices available, with fast, free shipping from four locations across the US. To learn more about each of these formulas, checkout our formula options right here: https://organicbabyfood.shop/collections
Wishing you all happy and well-nourished little eaters!