Key Takeaways
- Eating all organic is ideal but not realistic for most people, and it isn't required to be healthy.
- Focus on buying organic for the Dirty Dozen, the 12 foods with the highest pesticide residue.
- Dr. Parsons says buying organic chicken is also very important.
Many people believe they have to eat all organic to be healthy. In this myth-versus-fact video, Dr. Parsons explains why that's a myth.
Organic Is Better, But Not All-or-Nothing
If you're able to eat all organic, that's better, but Dr. Parsons recognizes it isn't realistic for most people. The good news is that it isn't a deal breaker. You can still make real progress in your health.
Start With the Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen are the 12 foods with the highest levels of pesticide residue, and strawberries are always near the top. Dr. Parsons recommends checking the Environmental Working Group's website for the current list and buying those foods organic. She also says eating organic chicken is very important.
From there, adding the occasional organic item is always a plus, but you don't have to buy everything organic.
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Read the full video transcript
You need to eat all organic. That is a myth. Yes, if you are able to eat all organic, obviously that's better, but that's not really realistic for most people. There are a top 12 foods that are most important, called the Dirty Dozen, that have higher levels of pesticide residue. Strawberries are always at the top. So if you want to be mindful and try to be healthy, go on the Environmental Working Group's website, where you can see what the current Dirty Dozen foods are, the top 12, and make sure you eat organic for those. And chicken: eating organic chicken is very important. Start there. Then, if you can add in an occasional organic thing, that's always going to be better. But you don't have to. That's not a deal breaker. You can still move forward in your health. So make sure you spread the word: the Dirty Dozen are a no-no, but for other foods, take a breath. Eat mango.
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC, CCN, DACBN, DACNB
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC, CCN, DACBN, DACNB is a Doctor of Chiropractic, certified clinical nutritionist, and brain wellness expert with 34+ years serving Fresno families at The Natural Path Health Center.
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