15 Foods Experts Say You Don't Have to Buy Organic If You're on a Tight Budget

Updated on 6/17/2018 at 9:50 AM

With widespread knowledge about the benefits of shopping organic as well as the dangers of pesticides, it's hard not to feel guilty when reaching for nonorganic groceries to save money. Luckily, the following produce items — deemed the Clean 15 by the Environmental Working Group — are perfectly safe and healthy to eat when grown nonorganically.

Elizabeth Caton, brand and nutrition manager at Guiding Stars, points out that while the following foods have very little pesticide residue in their edible portions, they're still grown with pesticides. If you prefer to remain conscious of pesticide use in general, she suggests buying organic foods "to protect yourself, farmers/growers, the environment, or a combination of these." But if you're on a tight budget, these foods make it possible to eat well and save a few dollars.

Onions

The EWG says onions have significantly less pesticide residue than other commercial produce, which is great news, since nonorganic onions cost less than $1 a pound and add tons of flavor to everyday dishes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a hip, healthy, and versatile base for hundreds of healthy meals. If you tend to buy it often, you're in luck, because a conventional head costs around $2 or $3.

Mangoes

They're tough to peel, but mangoes' sweet flavor makes them an ideal snack and a delicious dessert ingredient. Even better: they rarely contain pesticide residue, meaning you can buy nonorganic mangoes for around $1 each.

Pineapples

Any pesticides used while growing pineapples are absorbed by the tropical fruit's thick skin, meaning you can snag perfectly healthy nonorganic pineapples for around $3 a pound.

Asparagus

Insects tend to stay away from asparagus, so the EWG says the Spring veggie rarely contains pesticide residue. Nonorganic asparagus should usually cost you no more than $4 a bunch.

Sweet Corn

Pesticides have a hard time penetrating sweet corn's protective exterior. Save on corn salads and breads by opting for conventional corn, which is always inexpensive.

Eggplant

Eggplants' slick skin makes it hard for pesticides to stick to them. Save on eggplant parm by cooking it with conventional eggplants, sold for about $4 a pound.

Grapefruit

Next time you dread peeling grapefruit, remember the citrus fruit's thick skin is a good thing: it protects the inside from pesticide residue and saves you money on the organic stuff.

Frozen Sweet Peas

The EWG deems conventional sweet peas safe to eat, so they'll only set you back about $2 a bag.

Cabbage

Cabbage needs little pesticides to grow successfully, and conventional cabbages can make days' worth of salads for around $2 a head.

Kiwis

As long as you don't like your kiwis with the skin on, you're perfectly safe eating them nonorganic. The fuzzy exterior protects the inside from any pesticides.

Cantaloupe

Melon rinds hide cantaloupes from harmful pesticides. You can buy them conventional for $2 to $3 a melon, which will feed you several times.

Papayas

Low on pesticides when tested by the EWG? PapaYAS.

Honeydew

You may go for honeydew last in a fruit cup, but maybe this will change your opinion of the fruit: the conventional version is cheaper and still safe to eat.

Avocados

Avocados cost a pretty penny these days, so it comes as a relief that you don't have to shell out extra bucks for organic ones. The EWG names them one of the cleanest fruits; when you take off the tough skin, you're also removing any trace of pesticides (which are uncommon in the fruit as it is).