The Dirty Dozen

I've really enjoyed this month of making wholesome choices, sponsored by McDonald's.  It has really challenged me to do a little digging into the facts and rumors pertaining to fitness and nutrition.  I know I can easily incorporate the changes into my daily routine and stick to them.

For this last week of the McDonald's Wholesome Choices Blogger Program, I decided to finally look into a subject that has bothered me for quite some time...

Which fruits and veggies do I need to splurge on and buy organic?  And which ones can I save the money on?

Well, thanks to a recent conversation with some of my favorite friends, I finally found my answer.  My guess is that many of you already know what I am about to tell you.  But, for those of you who were clueless like me, I decided to share what I consider to be golden information.

The answer lies within what is know as "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean Fifteen" which you can find on the Environmental Working Group's {EWG} website  under their list known as "The Shopping Guide to Pesticides in Produce."

Here is what they have to say:

The Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce.

So what's on their lists? Here's the dish:

The Dirty Dozen {fruits and veggies you should splurge on and buy organic}:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Imported Nectarines
7. Imported Grapes
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Domestic Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/Collard Greens

The Clean Fifteen {fruits and veggies with the lowest levels of pesticides}:

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Domestic Cantaloupe
10. Kiwi 
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes 
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Unfortunately, for me, most of the fruits and veggies I prefer and buy most often are on The Dirty Dozen list.  So, it looks like I need to suck it up and splurge a little on my fruits and veggies.  I'll have to find other ways to save on my groceries. Bummer.

One of my least favorite things to do is grocery shop. Ask my husband! So I'm glad that McDonald's is committed to giving us more delicious choices to feel good about in the months and years to come. That way, when I run out of food in the pantry, I can feel better about having to grab a quick bite to eat on my way to Publix! :)



You can follow McDonald’s Atlanta on Twitter @McDonaldsATL and check out their website for real-time promos, meal ideas and how to make the most of your McDonald’s experience:
http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/nutrition_choices.html


Disclosure:
McDonald’s partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Wholesome Choices” Blogger Program.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. McDonald’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.