Eating Healthy?

As they are known for doing Consumer Reports is holding the EPA's feet to the fire for their inept approach to pesticide use on the fruits and vegetables we eat. The truth of eating 5 a day depends a lot on your choices but some of the items thought to be healthy have dangerous levels of pesticides, such as blueberries and green beans. Most adults won't be too bothered by the contamination but pregnant women, children and those with health concerns need to be cautious and probably use organically grown produce.  I've included a risk list to help you assess your risks. 

 

Very Low Risk

Okay to eat more than 10 servings a day

 

Low Risk

Okay to eat up to 10 servings a day

 

Moderate Risk

Okay to eat up to 3 servings a day

 

High Risk

Okay to eat up to 1 serving a day

 

Very High Risk

Okay to eat up to 1/2 serving a day

 

N/A

 

 

 

Conventional

 

Organic

 

U.S. Grown

 

Imported

 

U.S. Grown

 

Imported

 

Apples
1/2 large

 

 

 

 

 

Applesauce
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Asparagus
3 spears

 

 

 

 

 

Bananas
1 small banana

 

 

 

 

 

Basil
1 Tbsp., chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Bell peppers
2/3 cup, sliced

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberries
2/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberries, frozen
2/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Broccoli
2/3 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Cabbage
2/3 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Cantaloupe
2/3 cup, diced

 

 

 

 

 

Carrots
2/3 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Cauliflower
1/2 cup, 1/2-inch pieces

 

 

 

 

 

Celery
2/3 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Cilantro
3 Tbsp., chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Collard greens
1 1/2 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Cranberries
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Cranberries, canned
or sauce. 3 Tbsp.

 

 

 

 

 

Cranberries, frozen
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Cucumbers
1/2 cup, sliced

 

 

 

 

 

Eggplant
2/3 cup, cubed

 

 

 

 

 

Grapefruit
1/3 large

 

 

 

 

 

Grapes
2/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Green beans
2/3 cup, 1/2-inch pieces

 

 

 

 

 

Hot peppers
2 Tbsp., choped

 

 

 

 

 

Kale
3 cups, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Kiwifruit
1/2 cup, sliced

 

 

 

 

 

Lettuce
1 cup, shredded

 

 

 

 

 

Mangoes
1/2 cup, pieces

 

 

 

 

 

Mushrooms
2/3 cup, sliced

 

 

 

 

 

Mustard greens
1 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Olives, canned
3 olives

 

 

 

 

 

Onion
1/3 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Oranges
2/3 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Peaches
2/3 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Peaches, canned
2/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Peaches, frozen
1/4 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Pears
2/3 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Peas (sweet), canned
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Peas (sweet), frozen
1/2 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Plums
1 1/2 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Prunes
3 prunes

 

 

 

 

 

Potatoes
1/2 cup, diced

 

 

 

 

 

Radishes
1/2 cup, sliced

 

 

 

 

 

Raisins
3 Tbsp

 

 

 

 

 

Scallions (green onions)
3 Tbsp., chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Snap peas
17 pods

 

 

 

 

 

Spinach
2 cups

 

 

 

 

 

Spinach, canned
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Spinach, frozen
1/3 cup

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberries
8 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberries, frozen
5 medium

 

 

 

 

 

Summer squash
1/2 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet potatoes
1/2 cup, cubed

 

 

 

 

 

Tangerines
2/3 large

 

 

 

 

 

Tomatoes
1/2 cup, chopped

 

 

 

 

 

Tomatoes, canned
1/3 cup, diced

 

 

 

 

 

Watermelon
1 1/3 cup diced

 

 

 

 

 

Winter squash
1/2 cup, cubed

 

 

 

 

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