One solution to the problem is to focus on choosing organic when you are purchasing those foods that carry the heaviest burden of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones when grown conventionally. With the help of several organizations that have conducted extensive research into the topic, we’ve compiled two lists that will help stretch your organic spending power and reduce your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals. We recommend that you choose locally grown, in-season food, which, of course, varies depending on where you live and how much time you have to garden.

High Pesticide Load Produce

These fruits and vegetables are most commonly heavily sprayed with pesticides, so it is recommended that you buy organic or avoid them altogether if you can’t find organic:

• Peaches – Multiple pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards, putting them at the top of the high pesticide list. Can’t find organic? Some safer alternatives with similar nutrients are water- melon, tangerines, oranges and grapefruit.

• Apples – Scrubbing and peeling doesn’t eliminate chemical residue completely. Anyway, peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many nutrients. Substitute watermelon or tangerines for similar nutritional value.

• Sweet Bell Peppers – Peppers’ thin skins don’t offer much of a barrier to pesticides, which are often heavily sprayed onto this insect-prone crop. Instead, eat green peas, broccoli, asparagus and cabbage.

• Celery – Celery’s lack of protective skin means it’s almost impossible to wash off the chemicals that are used on conventional crops. Less-sprayed substitutes include broccoli, radishes and onions.

• Strawberries – If you buy strawberries out of season, they’re most likely imported from countries that have less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. Alternatives could be blueberries, kiwi and pineapples.

• Lettuce and Spinach – Salad greens are frequently contaminated with the most potent pesticides used on food. So if you can’t find organic salad fixings (or don’t want to buy imported organic), eat cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts instead.

• Carrots – Carrots host many insects and are highly sprayed with pesticides, some of which are systemic and can’t be removed by peeling. Substitute sweet potato or broccoli.

• Potatoes – Potatoes rank high for pesticide residue as well as fungicides added to the soil. Conventionally grown eggplant and cabbage are sprayed less.

Lower Pesticide Load Produce

Lower pesticide levels are generally present in the following conventionally grown foods, so if you if you can’t afford to buy 100 percent organic, here is a good place to save: