Should You Buy Organic? The "Dirty Dozen" Report

If you're just getting into watching what you eat, you're no doubt concerned about the high cost of organic produce and other shelf-stable items free of chemical preservatives at your local grocery store. 

While going organic is a great way to ensure the food you eat if free of the nasty pesticides, antibiotics and other chemicals you probably don't want in your body, the cost can add up quick. We regularly spend more than $200 each week at the grocery store. Keep in mind, we eat in every meal except Friday nights and Sunday lunches (so we're probably spending a lot less than you on dining costs) but that's still a pretty penny. 

So here's a place to start. It's the "Dirty Dozen" & "Clean Fifteen" list of produce items you should and shouldn't spend the extra money on. This list is updated and release each year by EWG. Here's the list released in February with 2015 results:

Splurge on Organic Save Your Pennies Apples Avocados Peaches Sweet Corn Nectarines Pineapple Strawberries Cabbage Grapes Sweet Peas (frozen) Celery Onions Spinach Asparagus Bell Peppers Mangos & Papayas Cucumbers Kiwi Cherry Tomatoes Eggplant Snap Peas Grapefruit Potatoes Cantaloupe Hot Peppers Cauliflower Kale, Collards and other Leafy Greens Sweet Potatoes

Want a handy reference? Well, pin this post, or download the printables from their site!