The Dirty Dozen

Nutritionally, my main priorities when sourcing fresh fruit and vegetables are:

• Organic – to reduce exposure to harmful pesticides 

• Locally grown – to promote optimal gut health (a healthy microbiome)

• Seasonal – guaranteed to be fresh and economical

Let’s face it - buying organic can be expensive!  When I found out about the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen I could focus on getting the best ‘BANG for my buck’!

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of fruits and vegetables that are highly sprayed with pesticides that can’t be washed off.  These pesticides not only contaminate the food but also reduce the nutritional value of it through the degradation of soil quality.  Pesticides have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, nervous system diseases and reproductive problems.  Exposure to pesticides have also been linked to an increase in neurological diseases, childhood leukemia, lymphoma and asthma.

The Environmental Working Group 2021 list of the ‘dirty dozen’ is as follows:

1.     Strawberries

2.     Spinach

3.     Kale/ Collard/ Mustard Greens

4.     Nectarines

5.     Apples

6.     Grapes

7.     Cherries

8.     Peaches

9.     Pears

10.   Capsicum

11.   Celery 

12.   Tomatoes

Pesticides (chemical toxins) have a cumulative effect in the body.  The amount of toxins in our modern-day environment is SUBSTANTIAL and this means our liver can often be overwhelmed trying to detoxify the body.  The result is that the toxins are pushed out of the liver and stored in body fat (toxic body fat) that can contribute to stubborn weight loss and poor health.

The Environmental Working Group 2021 list of the ‘clean fifteen’ is as follows:

1.     Avocados

2.     Sweet Corn

3.     Pineapples

4.     Onions

5.     Papayas

6.     Frozen sweet peas

7.     Eggplant

8.     Asparagus

9.     Broccoli

10.   Cabbage

11.   Kiwifruit

12.   Cauliflower

13.   Mushrooms

14.   Honeydew

15.   Rockmelon (cantaloupe)

I purchase the Clean 15 from my local greengrocer and soak/ wash it in a mixture of warm vinegar water or I use a natural fruit and vege wash (currently using Koala Eco) to remove contaminants.

If you have a garden at home, I highly recommend growing some of your own produce.  There is something highly rewarding and satisfying about growing your own food.  Track down your local farmer’s market and get to know your local farmers.  Buy organic (focusing on the dirty dozen) and feel the high vibes of purposefully buying food that has been grown with good intentions and love.

If you would like assistance cleaning up your diet and working out what foods best work for your unique constitution contact me for a complimentary heart to heart call today.