How to Select Non-Toxic Fruits & Vegetables
Here's an easy method for selecting Non-Toxic or "CLEAN" Fruits & Vegetables regardless what establishment you buy from.
First Option:
Never select Genetically Modified (GMO's) fruits & vegetables. GMO plants are modified to be resistant to Monsanto's Roundup Ready pesticide, which defends the plant from pests by causing their stomach to burst. It important to recognize since the introduction of GMO's back in the early 1990's there has been an 85% increase in G.I. related issues in humans. In other words, the pesticide damages not only the stomach of bugs, but humans as well. How is this possible you ask, easy, plants sprayed with the Roundup Ready are not washed before they are processed. It's also important to recognize GMO's exist not only on the produce shelf, but in that box, bag, or canned food. Here's a quick list of GMO vegetables to avoid:
Second Option:
Conventionally grown fruits & vegetables can be safely consumed as long as they are "Washed or Peeled" to remove the toxic chemicals, which include herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and insecticides. However, rooted vegetables are the exception. Rooted vegetables (potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.) absorb the toxic chemicals through the soil, hence, they act as a sponge. With rooted vegetables always go with the third option organic vegetables.
Third Option:
Organic fruits & vegetables are safe to consume as they are not genetically modified and grown without the use of toxic chemicals. When compared to their conventional counterparts they are 40%-60% more nutritionally dense, meaning more nutrients per bit. And, being they were grown naturally they simply taste better offering a wider range of flavor.
In short:
- No, on GMO's
- Yes, on "Washed & Peeled" Conventionally Grown Vegetables, except for rooted vegetables.
- Yes, on Organic Vegetables Always
With this strategy, you will always be able to select "Clean" Fruits & Vegetables regardless where you shop.
by Rick Huggins
Cert. Nutritional Educator