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Buying Conventionally Grown Produce

Always purchase certified organic produce when you can – along with being produced without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, studies have shown that organic produce may contain more nutrients. If you must buy conventionally grown produce, at least stay away from what the Environmental Working Group (EWG) calls the “dirty dozen.” According the EWG report, people can lower their pesticide exposure by 90 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. The “dirty dozen” are: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach and strawberries. All tested positive for pesticide residue – even after having been washed! Sweet bell peppers were the vegetable with the most pesticides overall, with 39 pesticides detected on a single sample. Conversely, if you're going to buy conventional, peas, broccoli, onions, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, kiwi and papaya had the lowest occurrence of pesticide residue.

Benefits of Natural and Organic Foods

Here's a news flash: Natural and organic foods are good for your body. Not convinced? Consider the following facts:

• They are free from pesticides. It's been proven that more than 400 chemical pesticides are used routinely when farming and there is often a residue left in non-organic food products.


• They are not genetically modified. Genetically modified ingredients and crops aren't permitted under organic standards.


• Organic and natural foods do not rely on drugs. Organic farming standards prohibit the usage of antibiotic and growth hormones.


• Organic food come from sources that can be trusted. In fact, they are inspected to ensure that they are in complete compliance with organic standards.


• Organic and natural foods are good for the environment. Organic farming causes less pollution from sprays and produces far less carbon dioxide.


• It tastes great!

Opting to live on natural health food is a decision that you and your body will benefit from. Eating high quality foods will increase energy levels, normalize your weight, and improve your overall health. After enjoying healthy foods for awhile they might become a passion pf yours and you may even find yourself seeking out the best and freshest.

Organic foods tend to contain higher levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and chromium. A really great thing about organic food items is that there are no yucky additives in them. Harmful food additives can contribute to health issues such as migraines, osteoporosis, hyperactivity and heart disease.

If you discover foods that you like that aren't carried by your local grocer, it's a good idea to ask him or her to start carrying some of the them on the shelves. Eating healthy can be addictive and you're likely to find that natural health foods are more readily available. Local farmers, farmers' markets, and most health-food coops are great places to find these items.

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