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Two prevalent labels that seem to be especially confusing are
"natural" and "organic." If you have been wondering what these two
terms mean and what the difference is between them, here's a hint:
one is strictly regulated, while the other can mean just about
anything. Which is which?
If a product has the organic seal, it means that it is regulated by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and must meet strict
government standards which control how such foods are grown, handled
and processed. To be certified organic, the food must be grown
without toxic synthetic pesticides and herbicides, genetically
engineered ingredients (also called GMOs), antibiotics or artificial
growth hormones. That means when you and your family are eating
organic foods, you are not putting any of those things into your
bodies. Organic farming helps by not adding chemicals to the air,
water and soil, as well as keeping it away from you, your family and
future generations. Some studies have shown that organic farming
also helps produce more nutrient-dense crops.
When it comes to products labeled as "natural," there is no strictly
defined or regulated definition. It may mean that it has minimally
processed ingredients, no preservatives or additives, or it may mean
none of these things. Natural products do not have to abide by any
standards, so they may contain heavily processed ingredients, toxic
chemicals and GMOs. If you and your family are eating natural
products, you don't really know exactly what you are putting into
your bodies.
"Despite what many people think, organic and natural are not
interchangeable. When you eat something marketed as 'natural' you
may think you are doing something good for your body, and you could
be, but the reality is that it's more likely you are consuming
toxins and GMOs which wouldn't be allowed under the organic
certification. Our bodies are meant to use food for energy - they
get confused, irritated and harmed when presented with food and
chemicals. To put it simply, organic is food, the best fuel for any
body," says Registered Dietician Ashley Koff, author of "Mom Energy:
A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged." [to top of second column] |
If you'd like to eat more organic foods, it is easy to take the
first step:
* A good place to start is with the foods that you consume every
day. For instance, if you and your family start off each morning
with a bowl of cereal, try eating organic cereal instead, like
Nature's Path (www.naturespath.com), which has an extensive line of
cereals (as well as waffles, granola, oatmeal and granola bars) that
are all USDA certified organic.
* To learn more about organic food, go to the websites of The Mayo
Clinic, The Rodale Institute or The Organic Center.
There are a lot of confusing choices out there, but with a little
knowledge about the difference between the certified organic and
natural labels (check out the chart at www.naturespath.com/eat-well/organics),
you can find peace-of-mind that you are making the best choices for
your family. For the best assurance that you are not consuming
toxins and chemicals along with your food, look for the USDA
certified organic seal on the products you buy.
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