7 fruits and vegetables that you should buy organic

Do you want to eat organic on a budget but don’t know where to start? Here's a list of fruits and vegetables you should buy organic to get the pesticide heavy-hitters off your plate.

Buying organic produce is a good idea; studies have linked organic to better health and nutrition. However, there's a price tag on those benefits. Shopping for organic items can get expensive quite quickly, especially if you are feeding a large family.

Finding a way to fit organic foods into your budget could simply be a matter of selective purchasing.

These popular fruits tend to get sprayed a lot. This is especially problematic because we eat the skin, which is also the case for other conventionally grown fruits.

Look for seasonal deals on organic apples to keep your family protected. Another good idea is to take a trip to a local farm or farmers' market, where you’ll likely get a better deal.

Because of the way it grows, celery is missing a protective outer layer. This means that conventional farming requires the use of a lot of pesticides. Make buying celery in organic varieties a priority. It's considered one of the most polluted foods out there.

Strawberries also tend to be sprayed a ton. The pesticide load is especially high in imported varieties. Go organic here, and be sure to wash them thoroughly.

The thin skin on grapes means they absorb much of the pesticide load sprayed on them, and you can't wash it off. Even peeling won't help, so skip the chemicals in favour of organic grapes.

Leafy greens are another category that gets a high dose of pesticides. Be careful to look for organic versions, and take the time to wash them thoroughly. The pesticides used on greens can be especially powerful.

Like apples, or any other produce that contains edible skin, potatoes should be bought organic. As a root vegetable, environmental contamination is a possible issue. Buying from a farm that is 100-percent organic can alleviate this problem.

The sprays used on hot peppers are especially dangerous. Avoid buying conventional peppers whenever possible.

Not all foods need to be bought organic. Some fruits and vegetables, especially those with thicker skin, are less dangerous to buy conventionally grown. Don’t worry about buying all your foods organic. Instead, make getting the produce listed above your priority — it’s a compromise your health and wallet will agree to.

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