A Shopper’s Guide to the Clean Fifteen: Your Healthier Shopping List
We all know that fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy lifestyle, but did you know some are better than others when it comes to pesticide exposure? Enter the “Clean Fifteen,” a list of 15 fruits and veggies with the lowest amounts of pesticide residues, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
These are the items you can toss into your cart with confidence, knowing that they are some of the cleanest, safest options out there.
Here’s The Clean Fifteen for 2024:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Frozen Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew Melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Mushrooms
12. Mango
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Watermelon
15. Carrots
Why the EWG Matters – The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been around since 1993, guiding us toward healthier lifestyle choices. Their mission? To be watchdogs for harmful chemicals in our everyday products, including the food we eat. The Clean Fifteen list helps us navigate the grocery store with a little more peace of mind.
What Does the Clean Fifteen Mean for You?
The great news is that you don’t have to buy everything organic! If you’re shopping on a budget, the Clean Fifteen offers a helpful guide on where you can save some cash without compromising your health. These fruits and veggies are consistently found to have the lowest pesticide residues, so you can go ahead and stock up, even if they aren’t labeled “organic.”
Shopping Tips
• Support local: Farmers’ markets aren’t just trendy; they’re often healthier and fresher, too. Less travel time means better nutrition and flavor.
• Preserve the good stuff: If you find a great deal on Clean Fifteen produce, buy in bulk and freeze or can it (I have yet to work my way up to canning, but there are lots of good articles on canning and food preservation). By doing this,y ou’ll have fresh, healthy produce on hand year-round.
• Wash, rinse, repeat: Even though these items are “cleaner,” always give your produce a good wash. A little extra care never hurt anyone!
The Benefits of the Clean Fifteen
No need to overthink your grocery list! With the Clean Fifteen, you can enjoy favorites like avocados, pineapples, and carrots without worrying about excessive pesticide exposure. Fresh produce is still one of the best things you can put on your plate, and now you know which items are the cleanest, even when conventionally grown.
Final Thoughts: A Little Goes a Long Way
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information about food safety, but the Clean Fifteen is a great tool to keep things simple. By choosing from this list, you’re making small, positive changes for your health that can have big impacts over time.
Remember, eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your body — so dig into that watermelon or sweet potato without second thoughts!
Next time you head to the grocery store or farmer’s market, keep this list in your back pocket. Your health will thank you!