Natural Vs Organic Food - What's the Difference?
75Poll
Do you shop for organic foods?
See results without votingYou're trying to take care of our environment. You're trying to take care of your body. Chemicals and pesticides are bad for both your personal health, and the health of our planet. But when it comes to food, it can be tough to figure out what’s best. Diet experts and green living enthusiasts toss around terms like “natural” and “organic,” but what exactly do they mean? And which one is better, both for you and for Mother Earth?
Organic Vs Natural Foods
The basic difference between natural vs. organic foods is that one adheres to strict standards set forth by the government, and the other does not.
Organic
The USDA’s National Organic Standards Board defined the national standard for the term “organic” in the year 2000. According to these criteria, to be labeled organic, food must have been produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (with a few exceptions), antibiotics, irradiation, genetic engineering, or growth hormones.
Natural
“Natural,” on the other hand, is not a legally standardized term. Generally, the industry uses the word to imply that food does not contain preservatives, or that it is processed less than its non-“natural” counterparts. Be wary of these products–though some of them may be better for you than those that are not specified “natural,” they are not necessarily made from pesticide- or cruelty-free products, and unless labeled as such, are not organic.
The USDA Organic Seal
Your best bet: buy organic. Not only can you be sure that the sources of your food are following rigid rules in regards to their techniques and facilities, but the food is simply better for you. In 2005, researchers found that almost 30% of organic foods contained no detectable pesticides, another 30% contained only 1 pesticide, and a little over 40% contained more than one. One day, the USDA may also define a measure of what exactly constitutes a “natural” food. Until then, stick with products that have been evaluated against a given benchmark, and made the grade.
More About Organic Food
|
Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook (Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbk)
Price: $4.98
List Price: $21.95 |
|
The Organic Food Shopper's Guide
Price: $1.40
List Price: $14.95 |
|
Organic, Inc.: Natural Foods and How They Grew
Price: $1.15
List Price: $14.00 |
|
The Organic Food Guide: How to Shop Smarter and Eat Healthier
Price: $2.97
List Price: $8.95 |
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
The best way to go is to grow your own where possible. Even apartment dwellers can usually find room for some.
Good article and information; we bought some organic grown green tomatoes just last weekend. Fried (in olive oil) green tomatoes-----yummmmmmmmm!
Thanks for the info. I always assumed that natural and organic foods were grown the same way. Now I am educated. Thanks
Yes, organic products are best. I only wish they're affordable for most of us. Nice hub.
I'll take organic any day. That to me is natural. Why the FDA actually allows companies to use natural when it is "less processed" is outrageous. Always some fine print Isomehwere I have to uncover
When I was growing up, my dad began to experiment with chemical free farming. The first year, it was only the wheat he planned to keep back for the family. The next year he sprayed even less, and limited the cattle vaccinations to only what was required by law, to sell them, leaving our personal beef untainted. That was more than 20 years ago, and he is finally researching becoming certified organic. It has long been known, if you want the best, buy what the farmer raises for his own family!
Thank you for clearing this up. I try to buy organic, but the cost of it for a family of five is way out there. As a result, we want to raise our own vegetables to help with cost and keep it organic.
What are the exceptions to the rule? Do you know? Just wondering..
All natural..haha, as if to say there was any other kind. When have we created new materials to eat? ;D
Thanks for the info. We've been trying to buy as much organic food as we can afford. We've even started buying organic skincare items such as lotions and shampoos.
In addition to buying and growing organic produce, we also use only green cleaning products. The only skincare and makeup products in the house have natural and/or organic ingredients.
thanks great hub, i thought naural and organic meant the same, very insightful stuff
i never knew that there was even a diference
Yes organic is costly but that small increament is worth the additive volumes of pollutants saved from the environment over tiem were you to consume inorganic stuff.Its also much more soothing to your body
This was definitely some information I needed to know when I was a head chef at a small summer camp. I had about 14 campers who vegetarians, 7 that were vegan and 1 camper who so allergic to most foods that had to be given his own food selected by his mother/doctor and the other 50 ate everything I made. It was nuts but I got through!
Good article. I did not know that there was a difference between organic and natural. I thought they both meant the same thing.
I look for that seal all the time. Pricey, but what can you do.
Organic News
- Why it's hard to grow an organic appleAtlanta Journal-Constitution21 hours ago
Why it's hard to grow an organic apple
- Selling porkies: organic row leaves Kylie Kwong stewingQueensland Country Life21 hours ago
THE growing demand for organic produce is sending the country's handful of genuine organic pork producers broke.
- Research helps overcome barrier for organic electronicsPhysOrg17 hours ago
(PhysOrg.com) -- Electronic devices can't work well unless all of the transistors, or switches, within them allow electrical current to flow easily when they are turned on. A team of engineers has determined why some transistors made of organic crystals don't perform well, yielding ideas about how to make them work better.
Candie V says:
5 months ago
I agree, organic is best, but darned the vegies are spendy. Bought some organic broccoli a few months ago, stuck it in the fridge in the bag from the store and an hour later is was all bugs.. ick