Organic Vs. Natural Foods which one is better for you?
Organic Vs Natural
Now I don’t know about you, but to me they sound pretty much the same don’t they? I mean, shouldn’t organic foods be natural and vice versa?
The truth is they aren’t the same and actually have some major differences...
To make the answer to this question as simple as possible I broke down how organic foods differ from natural foods.
Organic Foods:
Certified organic label from USDA or other
Grown and produced organically - no synthetic pesticides
40-60% more antioxidants
Create sustainable ecosystems for farming
Can still use chemicals and processing
Most products can now be grown organic
5% of organic product can still use and contain non-organic products (which as of June 9th include 19 food colorings!)
More expensive than non-organic foods (10 - 40%)
Food may spoil faster due to less preservatives
Organic food sales grew by 17% last year
Natural Foods:
Often referred to as "health food"
No certifying agency to monitor labeling
Minimally synthesized, if at all
Minimal processing or chemicals, if at all
Typically found with produce and meats
Highest possible antioxidant and nutrient density in natural state
More expensive than non-natural foods (10 - 40%)
Best when bought locally and in-season
Food spoils faster due to no preservatives
Natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings.
Beginning to gain popularity
Personally, I choose to eat as many locally grown, organic, and natural foods as possible and when it comes to choosing meats and eggs I go for the ones that say they come from "vegetarian/grass-fed" naturally raised animals.
If you’ve ever read any of the reports on how they use massive amounts of hormones to fatten up animals in a period of just a few months, you know how scary this is...
And I definitely don’t want to be eating all the antibiotics and hormones that those animals were injected with - remember, "You are what you eat."
Due to price, though, you most likely will have to pick and choose where you want to go organic, or natural... all I can say is that the closer you can get to local, in-season, and all-natural foods the better.
You and your family’s health will certainly improve from eating less refined, processed products - I have NO doubt about that.
You will also find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight and sustain long-lasting energy throughout the day. Food truly is medicine, and your food choices either make you healthier or push you towards illness.
There is no in between.
Stephen Cabral is a national health correspondent with over 10 years of credentials. He holds national and international certifications in strength & conditioning, personal training, yoga and nutrition. For more information go to www.StephenCabral.com
Now I don’t know about you, but to me they sound pretty much the same don’t they? I mean, shouldn’t organic foods be natural and vice versa?
The truth is they aren’t the same and actually have some major differences...
To make the answer to this question as simple as possible I broke down how organic foods differ from natural foods.
Organic Foods:
Certified organic label from USDA or other
Grown and produced organically - no synthetic pesticides
40-60% more antioxidants
Create sustainable ecosystems for farming
Can still use chemicals and processing
Most products can now be grown organic
5% of organic product can still use and contain non-organic products (which as of June 9th include 19 food colorings!)
More expensive than non-organic foods (10 - 40%)
Food may spoil faster due to less preservatives
Organic food sales grew by 17% last year
Natural Foods:
Often referred to as "health food"
No certifying agency to monitor labeling
Minimally synthesized, if at all
Minimal processing or chemicals, if at all
Typically found with produce and meats
Highest possible antioxidant and nutrient density in natural state
More expensive than non-natural foods (10 - 40%)
Best when bought locally and in-season
Food spoils faster due to no preservatives
Natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings.
Beginning to gain popularity
Personally, I choose to eat as many locally grown, organic, and natural foods as possible and when it comes to choosing meats and eggs I go for the ones that say they come from "vegetarian/grass-fed" naturally raised animals.
If you’ve ever read any of the reports on how they use massive amounts of hormones to fatten up animals in a period of just a few months, you know how scary this is...
And I definitely don’t want to be eating all the antibiotics and hormones that those animals were injected with - remember, "You are what you eat."
Due to price, though, you most likely will have to pick and choose where you want to go organic, or natural... all I can say is that the closer you can get to local, in-season, and all-natural foods the better.
You and your family’s health will certainly improve from eating less refined, processed products - I have NO doubt about that.
You will also find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight and sustain long-lasting energy throughout the day. Food truly is medicine, and your food choices either make you healthier or push you towards illness.
There is no in between.
Stephen Cabral is a national health correspondent with over 10 years of credentials. He holds national and international certifications in strength & conditioning, personal training, yoga and nutrition. For more information go to www.StephenCabral.com
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