According to the Environmental Working Group cucumbers rank at the top of the list of vegetables that are the most heavily sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals can mess with our hormones and alter the way the body detoxifies harmful substances from the body.
If you are trying to clean up your diet for pregnancy, or just want to feel your best, removing sources of herbicide and pesticide exposure is important. You can start by checking out the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and avoiding conventional sources of these foods, choosing only to buy organic sources of these 12 “dirty” fruits and vegetables.
If you cannot find or afford to do so, the next best step is to remove the peel. This is what I commonly do with cucumber if I am without an organic source. I love cucumbers so to enjoy them without worrying about my exposure to harmful herbicides, I use a veggie peeler to remove the skin and just consume the inner flesh. The same can be done with other produce on the Dirty Dozen list to include apples, peaches, nectarines, and potatoes. You can always soak your veggies in a bath of water with a couple tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar as well to help minimize level of toxins.
Every little change counts!
Be sure to check out the Clean Fifteen as well. This is a list of fruits and vegetables that are less heavily sprayed and safer to consume from a conventional source.
To eating healthy and living happy!
