What would a couple of celebrity nutritionists think of Practically Green? And would they be willing to guest blog for us? Our friend Lynn Stone (aka SmilingGreenMom) introduced us to Tammy Lakatos and Lyssie Lakatos Shames, aka the Nutrition Twins, and we’re so glad she did. Affirmation is key to the twins’ deceptively serious approach: “and we found Practically Green to be so relatable … it’s like talking to your girlfriend,” they told us.

We asked them to tell us about why choosing organic is so important, and why they recommend Buying organic fruits and vegetables for the Dirty Dozen.

Here’s their answer:

The Nutrition Twins Guide to Pesticides, Cancer, & Organic Produce:

Your Questions Answered

By now we all know that the health benefits of consuming fruits and veggies are practically endless. From being packed with antioxidants which protect healthy cells and keep us youthful, to keeping us regular and lean, fruits and veggies are nutritional powerhouses. Despite knowing this, many of our clients ask us if they should avoid certain fruits and vegetables due to their pesticide content.  (Pesticides are chemicals that are used on fruits and vegetables to prevent insects from eating them).  Here’s a quick run-down…

Do pesticides cause cancer?

Multiple factors contribute to cancer.  Although it is difficult to isolate one factor, pesticides likely increase cancer risk.

Tell me more about pesticides…

Most pesticides contain several toxins.  Pesticides cause cancers in cell cultures and in animals.  They may also cause hormonal changes which can cause additional harm.  Studies also show pesticides increase the risk of cancer in humans. The National Cancer Institute in the United States found that farmers exposed to pesticides tend to have higher than expected rates of cancer of the lymph, blood, lip, stomach, skin, prostate, brain, testes and soft tissue.

Tell me about pesticides and breast cancer…

Toxins from pesticides build up in fatty tissue (breast tissue is fatty).  Some specialists estimate that more than 70% of breast cancers aren’t related to genetics and can be blamed on environmental factors.

Should we stop eating fruits and vegetables?

Absolutely not! Their benefits far outweigh their risks.  However, weigh your risks of specific fruits and vegetables.  Start by taking a look at the list of fruits and vegetables below.  The ones that we call “The Dirty Dozen” are the ones that are the most heavily sprayed with pesticides.  Try to buy organic versions.

Ask yourself…

How often do I eat heavily sprayed items?  Then, limit your exposure to the produce that is most heavily sprayed by either buying organic, or avoiding the most heavily sprayed produce.  For us, we save money by choosing nonorganic produce when it comes to bananas, corn, watermelon and kiwis because these are not highly sprayed.

What about washing fruits and veggies?

Washing will not change the rank (in the lists below) of the fruits and vegetables with the highest & lowest amount of pesticides.  The produce was washed & prepared for normal consumption prior to testing for pesticides. Washing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues; it clearly does not eliminate them.

What is the best thing to do?

Eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Buy These Organic:      “The Dirty Dozen”

Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Kale, Cherries, Potatoes, Grapes (Imported)

Below is a list of the least heavily sprayed fruits and vegetables.  If you are watching your budget, as most of us are, you don’t have to put as much emphasis on buying organic versions of these…

Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon

Tammy and Lyssie are the authors of Fire Up Your Metabolism: 9 Proven Principles for Burning Fat and Losing Weight Forever and The Secret to Skinny: : How Salt Makes You Fat, and the 4-Week Plan to Drop a Size and Get Healthier with Simple Low-Sodium Swaps. Check out their site, http://www.NutritionTwins.com, join them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter @NutritionTwins.

Tammy and HER twin daughters on vacation recently

“The Nutrition Twins combine their strengths to provide some of the world’s best nutritional and fitness expertise. Often the go-to for nutritional expertise for the media, the Nutrition Twins are kept busy through corporate nutrition consulting, seminars, morning shows, magazine articles, motivational speeches and authoring their nutrition books.”

Check out their media gallery for a whole slew of entertaining & great tips as seen on Good Morning America Health and other venues.