Buying organic & The 'Dirty Dozen'

I know I talk a lot about organic foods and veggies and where I can, I always try and choose the organic option. The main thing I know is that I don't want pesticides in my diet. Unfortunately though, it's not always possible to buy organic. It can be a lot more expensive and also, not always available.

For me, I try and do a lot of my food shopping at Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton, Manchester. They have a really wide range of organic produce and it's also a co-op so I feel like I'm helping local businesses at the same time! (There are also Vegetable boxes that can be delivered to your door such as Abel and Cole and Riverford)

On saying that, I don't always make it to Unicorn and I don't always have the option to buy organic so here is what I do, I live by 'The Dirty Dozen' and 'The Clean Fifteen'.

The dirty dozen is a list of foods (I believe change yearly) that have the highest amount of contamination of pesticides. These are the ones I try to avoid buying non-organic. Then, the clean fifteen are 15 veggies that have the least amount of contamination. These I buy non-organic but always ensure to peel them in any case...

According to davidsuzuki.org, the following are lists of the 'Dirty Dozen' and the 'Clean Fifteen'

The Dirty Dozen (in order of contamination)
 
 Apples
 
 Celery
 
 Sweet bell peppers
 
 Peaches
 
 Strawberries
 
 Nectarines
 
 Grapes
 
 Spinach
 
 Lettuce
 
 Cucumbers
 
 Blueberries
 
 Potatoes

The Clean 15 (in order of least contamination)
 
 Onions
 
 Sweet Corn
 
 Pineapples
 
 Avocado
 
 Cabbage
 
 Sweet peas
 
 Asparagus
 
 Mangoes
 
 Eggplant
 
 Kiwi
 
 Cantaloupe
 
 Sweet potatoes
 
 Grapefruit
 
 Watermelon
 
 Mushrooms

I always add Kale to the 'dirty dozen' list as it's made the cut a few times and so for me personally I won't buy it unless it is organic.

I hope this has helped you a little. Why not check out Unicorn if you are passing, it's just such a fab place.

Emmaline x