Anyone that has been following me for a while knows how passionate I am about the workouts we do, but also the food we put in our body. I’ve received many questions about organic produce and how we can be mindful about the chemicals and toxins we expose ourselves to without breaking our wallet. I wanted to share what I've learnt through the years.
First and foremost, a little bit about organic produce. Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, which means they are free from potentially harmful chemicals. The farming used prioritise soil health and biodiversity, which can help promote sustainability and protect the environment. Instead of harmful chemicals, they use natural fertilisers, crop rotation, and other techniques that help maintain soil fertility and reduce soil erosion.
Still in need of extra convincing? Organic produce are often considered to have better taste and flavour, as it is grown in a more natural and balanced ecosystem. Many people also believe that organic foods have higher nutrient content, although scientific evidence on this matter is still inconclusive.
By shopping organic, you are supporting farmers who follow sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. This will help promote a more sustainable and ethical food system overall.
When it comes to buying produce overall, some fruits and vegetable tend to have higher pesticides than others. The environmental working group (EWG) publishes an annual list called with information that highlights what fruit and vegetables are okay to buy nonorganic and which ones are better to buy organic. Following these recommendation is an amazing tool to lower toxins and pesticides without breaking the wallet. I have found this information incredibly helpful and used it so many times that I’ve now memorised the list. An even better idea is to screenshot the list below and bring it to your next grocery shop.
BEST TO BUY ORGANIC (According to EWG’s 2023 Dirty 12)
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Bell & Hot Peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green Beans
OKAY TO BUY CONVENTIONALLY GROWN (According to EWG’S 2023 Clean 15)
Avocados
Sweetcorn
Pinapples
Onions
Papayas
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Honeydrew Melons
Kiwi
Cabbage
Mushrooms
Mangoes
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Carrots
Visit your local farmers market. Here you can find seasonal produce that is more wallet friendly. However, if your goal is to buy organic, still watch out for the certified signs or “spray free” as lots of produce is still conventionally grown.
To wash your produce, you can use a mixture of water, vinegar and bicarb soda to get rid of dirt and residue. Let your produce soak in the mixture before gently scrubbing vegetables with a clean brush while rinsing in clean water.
Hope you’ve found this information helpful, and know that your intention and your choices matter, for the planet and for your body.
