Trust me, I know that being Paleo is not cheap or easy. Especially if you have children. If you choose not to go completely organic, there are some guidelines that you should follow – ESPECIALLY if you have children. The guide below is based off of research from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and categorizes the amounts of pesticides found in fruits and vegetables. Note that these were washed and, if applicable, peeled (i.e. bananas) before testing.
Red Means Stop! – Avoid these at all cost unless they are organic
Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Carrots, Pears, Frozen Winter Squash
Orange Also Means Stop – Not quite as horrible as the Reds, but still, go organic.
Spinach, Grapes, Lettuce, Green Beans, Hot Peppers, Cucumbers, Mushrooms, Cantaloupe, Oranges, Fresh Winter Squash
Yellow, Proceed with Caution – These foods are much better, but not perfect.
Apple Sauce, Raspberries, Plums, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Apple Juice, Honeydew Melon, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon, Cauliflower
Green Light – These foods contain very low amounts of contaminants.
Broccoli, Orange Juice, Blueberries, Papaya, Cabbage, Bananas, Kiwi, Canned Tomatoes, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Mango, Canned Pears, Pineapple, Avocado, Onions.
This is obviously a quick reference guide. For more information, visit Grinning Planet. If you want to practice avoiding bad foods, The “What’s on My Food” site has an iphone app that allows you to see what’s really on your food, while you are at the store!