10 Fruits and Vegetables That Should Only Be Eaten Organically

The more we learn about the health and environmental benefits of eating organic food, the more vital it is to make choices that reflect our newfound knowledge. Yes, organic foods are generally more expensive, but there are many non-organic foods that can be eaten relatively safely. However, it’s always good to keep in mind the externalized costs of buying food that is grown with pesticides and fertilizers converted from fossil fuels—the health of farm workers is compromised dramatically, and so is the health of the soil and water on farms and their neighboring environments.

Budget-conscious consumers can find a list of fruits and vegetables that you don’t have to worry so much about eating organically at thedailygreen.com. (This site is a great general resource for information on conscious living). A good rule of thumb is that the thicker the skin (avocados and pineapples, for example), the more impervious the fruit to pesticides.

For foods that we should always eat organically here is the top 10 list:

1.         Strawberries

2.         Leafy greens (collards, kale, chard)

3.         Celery

4.         Apples

5.         Peaches

6.         Grapes

7.         Sweet bell peppers

8.         Potatoes

9.         Lettuce

10.       Nectarines