Fruit and vegetables are our security blanket as a nation. We are told to eat such a large amount of fruit and vegetables per day. Loaded with vitamins and straight from mother nature. What else can you ask for?
The United States Department of Agriculture tells us that almost half of our food intake per day should be made up of fruits and vegetables (http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html).
But what all this hasn’t accounted for is the number of pesticides in our fruits and vegetables that could be not only killing the good effects of the fruit and vegetables, but killing us as well.
We could be poisoning ourselves. And its important to know that washing or peeling fruit may remove some of the pesticides, but not all. So how else can we protect ourselves?According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there are several specific types of pesticides used regularly. Among them are:
- insecticides to control insects
- rodenticides to control rodents
- herbicides to control weeds
- fungicides to control mold and fungus
- antimicrobials to control bacteria
The EPA states: “The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body.”
So what can we do? First of all, we can know which types of fruits and vegetables contain the most pesticides, and try to limit the amount that we buy. Some of them include: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach and strawberries.
And which contain the least? Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, kiwi, mango, onions, papaya, pineapple and sweet peas.
So, should we stay away from the fruit that has the highest numbers. No, we don’t have to, but we should be educated. If you can possibly grow the food yourself, that is the best option. Or, consider buying organic so that you know the source. The least you can do, even with those that have low numbers, is make sure you always wash and peel them very well.
Here is a pocket guide you can print out for when you are food shopping: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehkids/pdf/walletguide.pdf
Is this something that you think about? Do you try to eat healthy but are worried about the quality of your food?
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