News Coverage
Pesticide levels
Published July 27, 2003
Organic fruits and veggies sometimes cost more than their conventionally grown counterparts, but if pesticide residue turns you off, you'll consider the money well spent.
However, some foods have a tendency to absorb pesticides more than others.
Strawberries, for example. You might want to pay a dollar extra for organic, since strawberries hold onto pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group.
But blueberries don't. They have low pesticide residue and are a good choice when buying fruit grown with chemical sprays.
The EWG, a not-for-profit environmental research organization, has rated fruits and veggies on the degree of pesticides. Its findings are:
High in pesticides: Fruits -- Apples, cherries, grapes (imported), peaches, pears, red raspberries, strawberries.
Vegetables -- Bell peppers, celery, hot peppers, potatoes, spinach.
Low in pesticides: Fruits -- Avocados, bananas, blueberries, grapefruit, papaya, kiwi, mangoes, pineapples, plums, watermelon.
Vegetables -- Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, onions, radishes.
New on the market
Who says there aren't healthful snacks to be found in the supermarket? Here are two new ones:
Kashi -- TLC (Tasty Little Crackers), made with seven whole grains and sesame -- no saturated fat or hydrogenated oils. The crunchy, tasty flavors are Country Cheddar, Original 7 Grain, Natural Ranch and Honey Sesame.
GeniSoy -- Soy Crisps, airy baked munchies made with soy flour, natural flavorings and no "bad" fats. A serving (25 crisps) provides 7 grams of soy protein. Flavors include Roasted Garlic & Onion, Apple Cinnamon, Creamy Ranch and Barbecue.
The last word
"What I love about cooking is that, after a hard day, there is something comforting about the fact that if you melt butter and add flour and then hot stock, it will get thick!
"It's a sure thing in a world where nothing is sure; it has a mathematical certainty in a world where those of us who long for some kind of certainty are forced to settle for crossword puzzles."