Rules of thumb

Those not up to buying organic everything can still benefit their families’ health by concentrating on where they get the most bang for the buck. When considering where your organic dollars may be put to best use, it can be helpful to remember a rule of thumb suggested by Dr. Oz:

• Potatoes are often sprayed with pesticides and grown in soil treated with fungicides, so it's a double whammy.
• Peppers and celery are spongy, so they easily absorb pescticides that washing and peeling won't remove.
• And leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and collard greens are sprayed heavily with pesticides.

Remember, the important thing is to get what fruits and veggies you can into your home. If they're within reach—such as in your fridge or in a fruit bowl on the dining room table—you’re more likely to eat more. And eating more fruits and vegetables may well be more important to your health bottom line than avoiding pesticides. Counsels Blatner, “Consume the minimum recommended amount every day—no matter how it’s grown!”