The Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

Hidden Chemicals: 12 Contaminated Foods—15 You Can Trust

Hi everyone,

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranks fruits and vegetables based on pesticide contamination.

Here’s a quick guide to last year’s lists to help you make safer choices at the grocery store.

Break free from misinformation with science-backed insights, practical health tips, the latest research, and expert myth-busting—all from a certified Medical Doctor. Join 3,000+ like-minded people now!

🚨 The Dirty Dozen: Most Contaminated Produce

These 12 items were found to have the highest levels of pesticides.

Whenever possible, opt for organic versions. However, when buying fully organic produce isn’t an option, remember to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to help reduce pesticide residues.

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale, collard & mustard greens

4. Grapes

5. Peaches

6. Pears

7. Nectarines

8. Apples

9. Bell and hot peppers

10. Cherries

11. Blueberries

12. Green beans

🌟 The Clean Fifteen: Lowest Pesticide Levels

These fruits and veggies are safer choices, even when conventionally grown:

1. Carrots

2. Sweet potatoes

3. Mangoes

4. Mushrooms

5. Watermelon

6. Cabbage

7. Kiwi

8. Honeydew melon

9. Asparagus

10. Sweet peas (frozen)

11. Papaya (check for GMO labeling)

12. Onions

13. Pineapple

14. Sweet corn (check for GMO labeling)

15. Avocados

Curious to see how the list might change in 2025—any predictions on which foods could move up or down?

To your health,

Sara Redondo, MD

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🧠 Mental Health Awareness Month: Weekly Live Sessions on Substack 💬

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and to honor it, I’ll be hosting a series of LIVE conversations every Wednesday with inspiring guests. Mark your calendars! ❤️

📅 Live Session Schedule

🗓 7 May | 2:00 PM EST

Brian D Smith

– Grief guide, author, and podcast host. After losing his 15-year-old daughter in 2015, Brian committed his life to understanding grief, healing, and the deeper questions of life and death.

🗓 14 May | 3:30 PM EST

Dina Bell-Laroche

– Grief doula, author and certified thanatologist, Dina offers a compassionate approach to navigating loss, helping the bereaved find meaning and gentleness in the midst of grief.

🗓 21 May | 2:00 PM EST

Promise

– Former Buddhist monk turned mental health educator. Promise spent 16 years as a monk, blending ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and positive psychology to create a grounded, empowering approach to well-being.

🗓 28 May | 2:00 PM EST

Dr. Bronce Rice

– Psychoanalyst, psychologist, and certified health & wellness coach helping people decode their unique Wellbeing Equation(s) with depth, clarity, and compassion—beyond surface-level self-help.

I’ll remind you in our chat!

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