Clean Up Your (Food) Act

The nourishment of body is food,
while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others.
~ Ali ibn Ali Talib

We think of food as the ultimate source of nourishment. If we are eating a good, clean, balanced diet, we should be good, right?

Wholesome food gives us energy, sustains us, keeps us alive. Along with clean water and air it is a foundational need. It is therefore more important than ever to choose foods wisely for you and your family. Unfortunately, with all the exposure to pesticides, the chemicals found in food processing, and industrial pollutants that end up in the food chain, we can no longer take food at face value and trust that it provides us with everything that we are looking for.

A more mindful and critical approach is needed. Let’s start with fresh fruit and vegetables, and trying to eat organic wherever possible.

Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides and insecticides, growth hormones or antibiotics. This is how our food used to be grown, back when there was no need to distinguish between organic and non-organic: no GMO crops, no glyphosate, no artificial dyes, no artificial flavouring, no artificial sweeteners or man-made chemicals.

 

A Great Guideline for Clean Eating

Yes, it may cost a little extra, so a cool tip is to prioritise the “Clean Fifteen” over the “Dirty Dozen” as this is where it counts the most.

Familiarise yourself with the “Dirty Dozen”, a list of the 12 dirtiest foods that have been tested to have the highest amounts of pesticide residues. With regards to these, you should try and buy organic whenever possible.

 

THE DIRTY DOZEN

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

 

 

 

Conversely, the “Clean Fifteen” are some of the cleanest foods, with the fewest amounts of detected pesticide residues.

 

THE CLEAN FIFTEEN

1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Sweet peas (frozen)
5. Onions
6. Papayas
7. Eggplants
8. Asparagus
9. Kiwis
10. Cabbage
11. Cauliflower
12. Cantaloupes
13. Broccoli
14. Mushrooms
15. Honeydew

 

Also remember that the thicker the skin on a fruit or vegetable, the less unwanted chemicals and the like are able to penetrate the food. So unless you are going to eat the skin, there is less need to buy organic.

For example, peeling a cucumber eliminates a huge portion of the toxins, and for those with digestive issues, such as irritable bowel, it is also easier to digest.

Have fun with your food, try new combinations, and try not to stress too much about it. Washing thoroughly and peeling the skin wherever possible are also great ways to ensure your food has an increased wholesomeness.