How to Go Grocery Shopping
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How to Avoid Pesticides
The idea of eating a plate full of pesticides is pretty unappealing. And certainly not healthy. Some of the bad things pesticides can do include:
- cause different cancers
- interfere with hormone function
- cause neurological difficulties
- cause low birth weight and birth defects
- interfere with child development and learning ability
The best way to keep from eating pesticides is to consume a diet based on organic foods (foods that are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives).
Eating all organic food may be what many people would like to do, but finances may make that a challenge. It’s still possible to limit your pesticide intake if you can’t afford to buy only organic food. Here are some suggestions for grocery shopping… three lists, the first one containing the “cleanest” non-organic foods and the other two of foods with the highest pesticide contamination.
The Least Bad Non-Organic Foods:
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Corn (but probably best to avoid because it’s genetically modified)
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Onions
- Papaya
- Pineapples
- Sweet peas
- Watermelon
- Honeydew melon
- Tomatoes
- Grapefruit
- Tangerines
- Plums
The pesticide levels in these foods is kind of mid-range. So, use caution when buying non-organic:
- Spinach
- Grapes
- Lettuce
- Green beans
- Hot peppers
- Cucumbers
- Mushrooms (possible vegan vitamin D source)
- Cantaloupe
- Oranges
- Fresh winter squash
These have the most pesticide residue. Avoid these fruits and vegetables unless organic:
- Apples
- Peaches
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Imported grapes
- Nectarines
- Cherries
- Pears
- Potatoes
- Strawberries
- Carrots
Ten Tips for Grocery Shopping
Now that you have an idea about organic/non-organic considerations, here are ten tips to make your grocery shopping trips easier, more efficient, and less expensive:
1. Always take a list with you. Plan out your weekly menus and add items to your list, which you keep on the refrigerator. Add to it whenever you’re running low on something.
2. I understand this one firsthand. Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Eat something first! You’ll be more likely to stick to your list.
3. Have a budget in mind before you go to the store.
4. Coupons – Only use them for items on your list. Don’t buy something just to “save” money. It won’t be a savings if you don’t use it.
5. Watch for specials. But don’t buy them if you don’t need them. See #4.
6. Try not to make one-item trips to the store. You’re more likely to buy additional items you don’t really need.
7. Consider shopping at a food coop. You may be able to save money.
8. It should be obvious, but don’t buy junk food. Load up on fruits and veggies!
9. Whole foods – Buy these instead of processed foods, i.e., choose whole grain cereals instead of those sugary concoctions, whole wheat bread instead of white. You know.
10. Read labels. Don’t buy it if it lists trans fats, lots of sodium, high amounts of sugar and fat.
Bonus Tip 11:
PLU codes – The little sticky labels on produce might be annoying, but they contain some useful information. Numbers that begin with 3 or 4 and are four digits long represent conventionally grown produce. A five-digit number beginning with a 9 represents organically grown produce. A five-digit number beginning with an 8 means it’s genetically modified.I hope this helps you have increasingly healthy and happy grocery shopping trips.
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