Smart Organic Swaps: Must-Buy Produce vs. Surprisingly Clean Choices

Lisette Marie

17. Pineapples: A Spiky Shield Against Sprays

Young woman choosing ripe pineapple in grocery store. Photo Credit: Envato @msvyatkovska

This deliciously sweet and tangy fruit boasts a formidable defense mechanism: its tough, spiky exterior. This thick skin effectively prevents agricultural pesticides from penetrating and reaching the edible golden flesh inside. Studies show that a high percentage of conventional pineapples test free of pesticide residues, earning them a spot on the "Clean Fifteen." So, you can confidently choose conventional pineapples and enjoy their tropical goodness.

18. Cabbage & Onions: Naturally Repelling Pests

partial view of shopper choosing fresh raw cabbage in hypermarket. Photo Credit: Envato @LightFieldStudios

Both cabbage and onions are champions on the "Clean Fifteen" due to their inherent resistance to insects. Cabbage's dense, layered structure means its outer leaves act as a shield, protecting the inner ones from sprays. Always remove and discard the outer leaves of conventional cabbage before consuming. Onions, with their naturally pungent flavor and underground growth, effectively repel pests on their own, with nearly all tested samples showing no pesticide residue. No tears over buying conventional here!

BACK

(9 of 12)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

17. Pineapples: A Spiky Shield Against Sprays

18. Cabbage & Onions: Naturally Repelling Pests

MORE FROM HealthPrep