The Boardman Nutritionist provides tips for protecting children from pesticides in Dirty Dozen

BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio -

Fruits and vegetables can be a healthy alternative to food, but they always carry their own risks.

Synthetic pesticides and invisible fertilizers may remain on the product after cleaning.

The Environmental Working Group, a not-for-profit organization, has recently published its "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" lists. The list of Dirty Dozens lists the twelve fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticide residues.

This list, Dirty Dozen, includes:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. fishing
8. cherries
9. pears
10. tomatoes
11. Celery
12. potatoes

Meanwhile, Clean Fifteen is listed as follows:

1. Lawyers
2. Sweetcorn
3. Pineapple
4. Frozen peas
5. onions
6. Papayas
7. Eggplant
8. asparagus
9. Kiwis
10. Coles
11. The cauliflower
12. Melons
13. broccoli
14. mushrooms
Sweet sweet melon

Kathleen Durkin, clinical nutritionist at Akron's Children's Hospital in Boardman, said that although the names on the list produce higher levels or residues, foods do not exceed national guidelines.

"This level is not necessarily considered toxic or dangerous, but only for higher-level foods, so there are two sticky names, Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen - the thing you probably want to do most often is choose between fifteen Dirty Dozen "Durkin explained.

In particular, children can have negative side effects when exposed to high levels of pesticides.

"Children would be more sensitive to pesticides or synthetic fertilizers because they are still developing, and nerve toxicity would be more likely to be due to their brain development," Durkin said.

However, Durkin says that this does not mean that families must avoid the twelve fruits and vegetables on the list of dirty dozens.

"It would be riskier to avoid them than to eat them," he said. "It's just another time, a moment to remember that they could have more and choose a biological food."

One option for families is to choose organic products that usually have stricter requirements than most fruit and vegetable products.

Durkin explained, "It all depends on where the food is grown, and when you think about choosing organic produce, remember that organic products must meet certain standards, before the harvest of food."

Although choosing locally grown food is a good idea, Durkin said it would not necessarily affect the amount of pesticides.

"So if you decide locally, it may be better to spend less time growing and growing it, but it does not necessarily mean that all organic standards are met," he said.

"I do not think you can fix it as soon as it gets healthier, there's a risk of pesticide residues and handling contamination," he said. Durkin explained.

"It is interesting to note that these foods have been tested after cleaning, cleaning and peeling, so there is always a risk that pesticide residues will be absorbed, but you can also use something like a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water."

Even when choosing organic or locally grown products, eliminating waste or soil from fruits and vegetables can be a much healthier snack.

Durkin recommends using a sieve to rinse foods such as berries and grapes.

Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and kale should not only be cleaned from the inside and outside of the outer layer. Durkin recommends cleaning each layer and then drying it.

Tougher products such as potatoes and apples should be rubbed off with a small brush to remove dirt or grime.

As an added benefit, Durkin recommends washing the products with a mixture of about four parts of water and one part of distilled white vinegar.

Dry the fruit or vegetables from here carefully and store it so that it does not deform.

In general, Durkin said it was important to remember that all fruits and vegetables were safe. She says parents may use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists as an opportunity to reflect on their purchases.

And even with no fruit or vegetables on Dirty Dozen's list, Durkin says it's important to take the time to cleanse them all.

"Remember all the food sprouts you hear, the romaine lettuce's mainly due to contamination, remove it, wrap it in and remove anything that's visible," he said. she said

Further information on Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 can be found on the website of the Environmental Working Group .

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