The lesser of (non-organic) evils

[Naiad]

As my bank account dwindles before school starts up again, I find myself looking at non-organic food to supplement my diet. I know that if you're going to do so, stuff with peels and the like make better victims.

For example, I just ran to the market and bought organic kale and conventional bananas.

Any suggestions for fruits or vegetables that wouldn't be too horrendous to buy conventional?

[Rawkinlocs]

This was posted by Chilove in a recent (similar) thread - http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18580 - but it's sorta the opposite of what you requested, but I figured it still might be of help:

Quoted by Chilove - Here is a list of the 12 most contaminated foods (I found this online)
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

[Naiad]

Thanks Rawkinlocs!

Yeah, I've seen that most contaminated list. I used to get the ready made packs of celery and carrot sticks from the nearby fruit store and stopped doing that when I saw the celery on there. It's funny how sad it makes me to have to chop up carrots and celery again for crudite when I gladly puree, process and chop up everything else I eat :p

I guess the three I'm most curious about are lemons, limes and avocados. It's hard to resist 3 for $1 Sunkist lemons when the organic ones by me are over a dollar by themselves. I give them a good scrubbing with baking soda, organic dish cleanser and a scrubby sponge. I hope that's good enough to sluice off the pesticides that probably rained down on the poor things continuously by North by Northwest-esque antagonists their whole lives.

[Lay-Lay]

Rawkinlocs beat me to the punch, hehe.

[Lay-Lay]

I buy those non-organic most of the time. I would think they would be lower on the list.

[Naiad]

I buy those non-organic most of the time. I would think they would be lower on the list.

The lemons, you mean? If so, good... I don't feel so bad now. I'm just wondering If I should go all out for the organic ones when I do the master cleanse.... hmm. That would make sense, eh?

[Lay-Lay]

The lemons, you mean? If so, good... I don't feel so bad now. I'm just wondering If I should go all out for the organic ones when I do the master cleanse.... hmm. That would make sense, eh?


Hey if you have the means then go fot it, but if not do the best that you can.

[Curleedst]

Question, what about acid rain...how do organic produce remain impervious to that?



Thanks Rawkinlocs!

Yeah, I've seen that most contaminated list. I used to get the ready made packs of celery and carrot sticks from the nearby fruit store and stopped doing that when I saw the celery on there. It's funny how sad it makes me to have to chop up carrots and celery again for crudite when I gladly puree, process and chop up everything else I eat :p

I guess the three I'm most curious about are lemons, limes and avocados. It's hard to resist 3 for $1 Sunkist lemons when the organic ones by me are over a dollar by themselves. I give them a good scrubbing with baking soda, organic dish cleanser and a scrubby sponge. I hope that's good enough to sluice off the pesticides that probably rained down on the poor things continuously by North by Northwest-esque antagonists their whole lives.

[Naiad]

Question, what about acid rain...how do organic produce remain impervious to that?

I guess for one, we as humans have acid rain coming down on us all the time. That's slightly different from having pesticide planes dropping toxins 10x the strength of Raid on you. I would say it's analogous to conventional/organic produce.

Also, it's like iloverawfoods said... you do the best you can! I see the workers at the fruit and vegetable place hosing off the organic produce with the same water they spray on the conventional. It's right from the tap, but, washing off NYC municipal water isn't *quite* the same as the aforementioned layers upon layers of wax and pesticides.

Or I'm kidding myself! A distinct possibility :D

[SNMB]

The 12 least contaminated conventional items from that same study are: •

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet)
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)

[Curleedst]

I can understand that. My thoughts on it is, nothing is 100% pure unless grown in a lab where every aspect is controlled. I hope individuals aren't stressing over the organic/non-organic aspects because the stress alone negates any benefits from the changed lifestyle.

I don't worry about it. If I see something I want and can afford and it is fresh, I get it. Otherwise I bypass until the budget strings can afford it. Either way, cutting back on chips, junk food and fast food is a definite start and people sh/ see some positive chnages from that.


I guess for one, we as humans have acid rain coming down on us all the time. That's slightly different from having pesticide planes dropping toxins 10x the strength of Raid on you. I would say it's analogous to conventional/organic produce.

Also, it's like iloverawfoods said... you do the best you can! I see the workers at the fruit and vegetable place hosing off the organic produce with the same water they spray on the conventional. It's right from the tap, but, washing off NYC municipal water isn't *quite* the same as the aforementioned layers upon layers of wax and pesticides.

Or I'm kidding myself! A distinct possibility :D

[konmai]

Thanks for this thread! :D I also will have to start shopping at the local big chain supermarket. :(

At least, I can aim at eatting the least contaminated ones. :o

[Linda1970]

Hi Naiad,

Here's a comprehensive list: http://foodnews.org/fulldataset.php

[Naiad]

Hi Naiad,

Here's a comprehensive list: http://foodnews.org/fulldataset.php

Excellent! Thanks to you and everyone else who posted :)