Not all organic foods are treated equal. Many consumers are misinformed when it comes to organic foods and produce. Just because it has the label or the title doesn’t mean it’s better than its non-organic counterpart. We’ve researched the best foods to eat organic, bettering your health, the environment and your pocketbook.

The things we took into consideration: The amount of pesticides, the miles traveled to your local grocery store, and how much of these foods are typically consumed. Next time you hit the aisles at your supermarket, you’ll know how to shop smart, reaping both health and financial benefits.

Bananas – This yellow fruit has some of the highest pesticides of any crop. Plus, the working conditions for banana crops are unfavorable, with workers being exposed to harmful conditions. Look for organic and Fair Trade bananas if possible, supporting good working conditions and lower pesticide use.

Strawberries – Most of these fruits come from California and use many pesticides to keep them fresh. Since strawberries are delicate to wash, it’s difficult to remove all the pesticides. Look for the organic stamp of approval on these packages.

Green Beans – These little greens are packed with pesticides and some studies have shown that they are above the legal limits for safe eating. Even frozen veggies can have these effects. Instead, shop for organic varieties that are much healthier for your family.

Bell Peppers – Colorful and sweet, bell peppers are packed with nutrients, but also with pesticides. They’re also quite expensive, with some stores selling peppers for $1.50 each. Try growing your own bell peppers this season; they start green and will change to red, orange and yellow.

Stone Fruit – Choices like peaches and nectarines have some of the highest concentrations of pesticides. Many have more than one pesticide as well, and with them being hard to scrub, these pesticides leak into the food. Shop organic on these selections.

Baby Food – When considering how many pesticides are in fruits and veggies, you can imagine how many make it into baby food. Toxins are even more damaging to the immune system’s of infants, so choose organic selections or make your own baby food. When making your own, you not only control what fruits and veggies go into your child’s food, but also salt and sugar additives.

Rice – Rice is treated with many harmful pesticides and not only are they damaging to our bodies, but the groundwater system. To fight off the contamination rice companies are creating, buy organic.

Now that we’ve covered the types of foods you should buy organic, what about some healthy alternatives? If you can’t find organic varieties, look to these healthy choices:

Watermelon

Oranges

Romaine Lettuce

Green Peas

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Brussel Sprouts

Grapefruit

Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries

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