Fit Fare

I admit it. I’m guilty of biting in to a lush Red Delicious without washing and drying it first. Usually, a three-second towel rub is all it gets. Well, this New Year’s, I’m making a new resolution, to limit my exposure to pesticides.

From birth defects to cancer, science has proven pesticides to be a potential danger to our health. Luckily there are ways to reduce our exposure and to rid our diets of a lot of pesticide residue. While, according to the government, the level of pesticides on produce is at a safe level, it’s better to be safe and salubrious than sorry and sick.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid these pest traps. They key is to limit our exposure to them. We can do this by washing our fruits and vegetables thoroughly. And, if possible, choose organic over conventionally grown. Here’s a list of some of the foods you should be careful with, as they may have a higher amount of pesticides on them:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Winter Squash
• Tomatoes
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Strawberries
• Lettuce

Washing fruits and vegetables may remove most residue. Scrub them thoroughly using a very diluted soap solution under running water. Alternatively, you can use a fruit and vegetable wash, which usually can be found on the produce aisle. Also, remove the outer leaves of your leafy vegetables. And peel vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

For more information visit:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/tips.htm

http://www.foodnews.org/index.php

Organic Foods 101

Organic. It’s lower in pesticides. Honest.