Healthy on a budget: Avoid these “Dirty Dozen” to improve your digestion.

from Marissa Liana
 Certified Nutritional Practitioner/Health Coach
Specialized in Applied Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.  b.a. (Honours) in Kinesiology from UOIT.
Healthy on a budget:
Avoid these “Dirty Dozen”
to improve your digestion.
If you’re looking to preserve the health of your immune system and digestion, you will want to purchase organic produce, particularly for “the dirty dozen”. Evidence shows that exposure to environmental chemicals such as those on non-organic produce has been linked to various health disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and dysregulation of the immune and reproductive systems. In terms of our gut, these environmental chemicals damage our gut’s, further leading to digestive deterioration.
When our gut bacteria/microbiome are compromised, we are left with horrible digestive symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea, gas, bloating and constipation.

Conventional produce is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides that damage our internal microbiome. The “dirty dozen” refers to the most heavily sprayed/contaminated produce that you should always purchase organic. These include: Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Peaches , Apples , Pears, Cherries,Grapes, Celery, Tomatoes, Sweet bell peppers, Potatoes and hot peppers

While purchasing organic can become costly, there are certain foods which are on Environmental Working Group’s “Clean Fifteen” list, and can be safely purchased congenitally to save you some money! These foods have been found to have the least amount of contaminants and include:
Avocado, Sweet corn, pineapple, Cabbage, Onions, Frozen sweet peas, Papaya, Asparagus , Mangoes, Egg plant, Honey dew melon, Kiwi, Cantaloupe, Grapefruit, Cauliflower

I would also recommend washing your vegetables and fruit with vinegar and water+sea salt to remove any contaminants.

If you love these digestive tips and are looking for a complete digestive healing guide, you will love my Bikini Bod Beat the Bloat Ebook, A complete digestive healing meal plan and supplement guide to ease your digestive distress.