When you are trying to conceive - or are pregnant and breast feeding - choosing to eat organic food can have some definite advantages, but it can get expensive. Studies show that if you simply avoid eating the 'dirty dozen' - the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables - you could avoid 80% or more of pesticide residues in your food.

The 'dirty dozen' is published yearly at the Environmental Working Group's website (EWG.org) and the foods on the list do change from year to year so it is a good idea to stay up-to-date. The list is available as an iPhone app for extra convenience.

You can check out the whole list of tested foods at the link below. At the other end of the list is the 'clean 15', representing fruits and vegetables which consistently have the lowest levels of pesticide residues. Knowing the clean fifteen can help you know which non-organic produce items you can buy without worry.

So, why should you eat organic? Firstly, it could be one of the first kind things you do for your baby-to-be. Studies on babies cord-blood show that babies are exposed to over 200 different toxic chemicals and pesticides when they are in the womb.

Many pesticides are known to be carcinogenic, and are associated with birth defects and neurological damage. Some are untested, and others have safety limits which are suspected to be far too high even for adults, never mind developing embryos who may be exquisitely sensitive to the cocktail of chemicals in our diet and environment.

Babies are exposed to a whole range of contaminants. From BPA and other types of bisphenol in BPA-free plastics (re-think those microwave dinners in their plastic containers and canned foods) to pthalates and other toxins in personal care products, cosmetics, hair sprays and the cleaning products used in your home we are awash with environmental toxins. Lawn chemicals - which can build up in your home - are another source of toxicity that your baby will appreciate you steering clear of.

Numerous pesticides have been proven to cause reproductive harm, specifically birth defects and neurological damage, and many are suspected of causing infertility, lengthening the time that it takes to conceive. Simply choosing to eat organic can have a big impact on the level of pesticides in your body - and your baby - it's well worth the effort to make the change.

Would you like articles like this delivered to your email weekly? Sign up for the BellaOnline weekly newsletter, it's free and you can unsubscribe anytime you like. The link is below.