Five Easy Ways to Go Organic

Some "strategic" organic foods. Excerpted from the October 22, 2007 article by Tara Parker-Pope.

1. Milk
One recent United States Department of Agriculture survey found certain pesticides in about 30 percent of conventional milk samples and low levels in only one organic sample. The level is relatively low compared to some other foods, but many kids consume milk in large quantities.
(Commercials cows are given antibiotics and artificial hormones that make it into the milk.)

2. Potatoes
. . .commercially-farmed potatoes are some of the most pesticide-contaminated vegetables. A 2006 U.S.D.A. test found 81 percent of potatoes tested still contained pesticides after being washed and peeled, and the potato has one of the the highest pesticide contents of 43 fruits and vegetables tested, according to the Environmental Working Group.

3. Peanut Butter
More acres are devoted to growing peanuts than any other fruits, vegetable or nut, according to the U.S.D.A. More than 99 percent of peanut farms use conventional farming practices, including the use of fungicide to treat mold, a common problem in peanut crops.

4. Ketchup
. . .recent research has shown organic ketchup has about double the antioxidants of conventional ketchup.

5. Apples
Apples are the second most commonly eaten fresh fruit, after bananas. . .But apples are also one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits

A Complete list of Dr. Green's strategic organic choices

Five Easy Ways to Go Organic - Well Blog - NYTimes.com