You want to do the right thing for your health and the planet, but your budget begs otherwise. In terms of long-term costs to your health, though, there are some fruits and veggies that are always worth the organic splurge. The dirty dozen below have the highest levels of pesticides when grown conventionally. The thin skins on many of them make it easy for pesticides to penetrate to the food and impossible for us to wash away the chemicals. Opt for USDA certified organics of these foods and you're ensuring your salad wasn't raised using man-made chemical pesticides, fossil fuel- or sewage-based fertilizers or genetically-modified seeds.
Whether you buy organic or not, always remember to give your food a good wash before eating or cooking with it!
01. Apples
02. Bell peppers
03. Blueberries
04. Carrots
05. Celery
06. Cherries
07. Cucumbers
08. Grapes (imported)
09. Green Beans
10. Kale
11. Lettuce
12. Nectarines
13. Peaches
14. Pears
15. Potatoes
16. Spinach
17. Strawberries
