To buy organic or not organic is a dilemma I face every time I go to the grocery store.  I like the idea of buying organic but the prices are at least twice as much as conventionally grown ones and the selection is small. 

But one of my resolutions for this year is to eat healthier and that includes eating organic and natural foods as much as possible. 

When it comes to produce I look for organic for the conventionally grown varieties that have been shown to have the highest levels of pesticide residue according to the Environmental Working Group, a Washington D.C. based non profit organization.  Click here for the list of their ”dirty dozen.” 

But, to keep my grocery bills from consuming my entire household budget I opt for conventionally grown produce that’s on the group’s “clean fifteen” list.   

CLEAN 15 PRODUCE:
ONIONS
AVOCADOS
SWEET CORN
PINEAPPLE
MANGO
ASPARAGUS
SWEET PEAS
KIWI
CABBAGE
EGGPLANT
PAPAYA
WATERMELON
BROCCOLI
TOMATOES
SWEET POTATOES

Personally I also opt for conventional varieties of produce that have thick skin that isn’t edible such as bananas, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, cantelope, honeydew, and other melons.

If I’m not sure whether or not the produce is likely to contain a high amount of pesticide residue I opt for organic if it’s a fruit or vegetable that has a thin skin or one where I eat the entire thing such as raspberries and blueberries.

And if my budget for the week is really tight, I buy whatever produce is on sale regardless of whether it is organic or conventionally grown because I figure eating that is still healthier and better for my waistline than processed foods that may be cheap but are loaded with sodium and preservatives.