In my allergy practice, I generally recommend a healthy amount of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as Vitamin D rich foods, that according to some researchers may confer an “anti-inflammatory” effect, that may be of benefit to those with allergies and asthma. The so-called “Mediterranean” diet most closely represents these foods.
The Environmental Working Group has published a list of a variety of fruits and vegetables that consumers need to take notice of as they have “softer” skin and may lead to greater absorption of up to 67 different pesticides (are chemicals used to prevent pests and diseases on plant foods we eat). This list was based on testing for pesticides even after the fruits were washed well.
They further suggested that a consumer might be able to limit your exposure by up to 80% just by purchasing organic fruits and vegetables without pesticides. In fact the President’s Cancer Panel has issued guidelines that Americans who consume fresh fruits and vegetables try and get produce that is grown without chemical pesticides to lower risk of cancer.
Try and reduce your exposure to these foods whenever possible:
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Imported grapes
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Nectarines
• Celery
• Bell peppers
• Cherries
It is important to know that not every fruit will have a lot of pesticides in it. Here are some choice fruits and vegetables that contain significantly less chemical pesticides:
• Sweet potatoes
• Cantaloupe
• Asparagus
• Corn
• Onions
• Watermelon
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi fruit
• Avocados
• Pineapples
• Peas
• Cabbage
• Mango
• Eggplant
You can obtain the complete list of foods, that means vegetables and fruits, and the relative amounts of chemical pesticides that may be present in them by going to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) link at: http://www.foodnews.org
Eat smart and stay healthy!
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