You’ve probably heard that organic food is healthier for you than conventionally grown food because it’s less toxic. But just how much less toxic is it? How does eating fewer toxins really affect you? Do you have to buy everything organic or are there some foods that you can cheat with?
How toxic is our food?
Chlorinated pesticides are sprayed on crops to disable the nervous system of the pests that feed on them. Less than 1% of the pesticides sprayed on pests actually reach the pests. Where does the remaining 99% of the pesticides go? That’s right, on the crops we end up eating.
Once the pesticides kill off the main pests, other insects replace them. So, more pesticides are used, and so on and so on. The amount of pesticides used on crops doubles every 10 years. There are now over 18,000 different pesticides being used on crops in the US, and the number of species of pests that damage crops has grown from 10 to over 300 since the 1970s.
Which foods are the most toxic?
The following nonorganic foods have the highest concentrations of chlorinated pesticides:
- butter
- dairy products
- beef
- farmed fish, especially catfish and salmon
Even if you choose to buy nonorganic produce, make sure that you buy organic beef, dairy, and fish. At the very least, avoid farmed salmon and catfish.
Why can’t I lose weight?
Have you tried every means possible to lose weight through diet and exercise but instead you keep gaining weight? It doesn’t seem fair.
It could be because you’re toxic. Many toxins are fat soluble, so they get stored in your fatty tissue. This is a good thing because by storing your toxins in fat, your body protects your organs from damage. If you try to lose the fat without reducing your toxic load, the weight won’t come off because your body needs the fat to protect you. The weight will start coming off once you start reducing the amount of toxins in your body, even without dieting.
Being thin doesn’t mean you’re free of toxins. It just means that the toxins in your fatty tissue are more concentrated.
What about produce? Which fruits and veggies should I buy organic?
Here’s a list of the dirty dozen. The foods on this list have the highest concentrations of pesticide residues.
- apples
- bell peppers
- carrots
- celery
- cherries
- grapes
- kale
- lettuce
- nectarines
- peaches
- pears
- strawberries
If organic versions aren’t available, the next best thing is to remove the skins or soak in vinegar solution for at least 10 minutes.
Are there any fruits and veggies I can buy nonorganic?
Yes! These conventionally grown fruits and veggies have next to no pesticide residues and are safe to eat nonorganic:
- asparagus
- avocadoes
- cabbage
- eggplant
- kiwi
- mangoes
- onions
- papayas
- pineapples
- sweet corn
- sweet peas
- watermelon
If you have the budget, buy all organic food. If you don’t, then take both these lists to the grocery store with you so you can reduce your toxic burden. Your body will thank you! Here’s a pdf version.