Organic vs. Natural – What is the difference? Does it make sense to eat organic, or get products labeled as natural? Is organic really any better?

It’s confusing, right? You don’t want to waste your money, but you want to try and eat healthier! For years I struggled with this whole concept, but now I have a pretty good understanding of it.

What is Organic?

Words organic with leaves to represent that organic food is natural food.I personally thought for a long time organic was some extra weird process that food goes through, and they artificially label it as healthier. This is actually hilarious because organic is the exact opposite! It is real food that hasn’t been over-processed, not genetically modified, food that has fewer pesticides, and artificial ingredients, making it more natural. It is in some ways the “real food” our great-great-grandparents used to eat (except junk food is still junk food).

I thought organic was the weird, artificial food labeled as healthy, when in fact that is a good majority of the food on the shelves today! This is especially the case with foods labeled as “sugar-free” and “fat-free,” they are marketed as healthier options when they are often processed to contain more chemical, artificial ingredients. As I mentioned in my sugar blog, these things are horrible for your health in the long-term and even the short-term. You are actually better off just eating the sugar, eating the full-fat foods, but just consuming a smaller serving size.

Organic Food has to Meet Certain Standards!

Organic has to meet certain standards to be labeled as organic. Here are some of the organic guidelines: they can’t use toxic, synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, only natural products – which must pass approval, no GMO’s, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Growth hormones are also not allowed. Livestock is fed 100% organic feed and approved vitamin and mineral supplements. Livestock and poultry must have access to the outdoors all year. Organic products or animals must be separated from the non-organic ones.

Here is the full list of government standards from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Words QUALITY with checkmark to represent how a product becomes certified organicThere is a Process to Become Certified Organic

To obtain an organic certification a business or farm must find a USDA-accredited certifying agent, complete an application, and pay agent fees. The agent then must approve that the business meets the organic standards, and an inspector will do an on-site inspection. The certifying agent must approve, and then an organic certificate is issued. Additionally, every year the business must complete and pass a review and another inspection.

Certified Organic vs. Organic

Products labeled as “organic” but are not “certified organic,” must have at least 95% organic ingredients and the other 5% must be allowed ingredients. Foods labeled “made with organic ingredients” need 70% of the ingredients to meet the standards. Organic is one of the few trusted food labels out there, many of them are just marketing lies, but organic has to meet certain standards.

Everything you want to know about the importance of organic farming is covered in this book: Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe You get a full picture of all the reasons why organic matters, how our current farming practices have destroyed our health, the corruption, and how we can make healthy changes moving forward.


What does it mean when food is labeled as “Natural”?

As for food labeled as “natural,” which is a super popular thing right now, there are no standards or regulations for labeling something as “natural.” Anyone can label foods as “natural.” However, that doesn’t mean “natural” food options are not healthier for you! One of the keys to choosing healthy options is to look at the ingredient list and nutritional labels. I’ve noticed over the years that many of the products labeled as “natural” do often have less sugar, less chemical additives, and unhealthy ingredients in general. So choosing products labeled as “natural” can sometimes (I can’t say all the time) be a step in the right direction.

Peanut butter is a good example – the regular brands have lots of sugar, the natural brands have less sugar, and the organic brand has no sugar. So by choosing the natural brand or the organic brand, you are making a healthier choice. But, the organic is guaranteed to not have unnatural processing or chemical additives.


So Eating Organic is the Way to Eat? Not necessarily…

For a while, I got wrapped up in trying to choose only organic foods, but the price tags can really add up. But, if you choose to eat 100% organic that’s great. For those who don’t plan to, I can tell you when it really matters. But first…

Eating Organic Isn’t the Primary Goal To Staying Healthy

Eating whole foods is better than eating organic.The key to eating healthy is actually not replacing all your foods with organic options. The goal is to eat more whole foods – foods not pre-packaged. So you want to consume more: meat, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Focus on foods that are just one ingredient.

Over 1,000 years ago that’s what people ate. Our bodies have never really adjusted to eating all these packaged foods with the added chemicals. Additionally, our foods are severely lacking in the necessary nutrients and vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy. That’s one of the reasons chronic illness is on the rise, and more new illnesses are being diagnosed.

Eating organic doesn’t mean your food will be high in nutrients. It doesn’t mean that because your junk food is organic it is actually healthy for you. It is still junk food. Where things can get complicated is I’ve seen organic products that have more sugar than just products without even a natural label. So, you just have to decide for yourself what product you want to purchase based on nutrition and ingredient lists. As I mentioned in my previous blog on how bad wheat is for your health, eating “gluten-free” food doesn’t mean it is healthier for you either. A lot of gluten-free foods have other highly processed ingredients.

Eating Whole Foods Sounds Difficult or Boring. Right?

It is totally possible to find some fun, delicious, and uncomplicated recipes. Choosing recipes with wholesome foods is made easier by searching for “paleo” recipes. You have probably heard of the paleo diet. It is based on the hunter-gatherer diet from 10,000 to 2.5 million years ago, actually called the paleolithic diet.

I wouldn’t recommend anyone to eat that way. That’s really difficult to maintain and super strict. We also don’t have access to all the foods they ate so it could be dangerous to follow long-term. But trying to incorporate some paleo recipes into your diet is a great way to eat healthier and eat less processed foods. I have found quite a few delicious recipes, especially when trying to bake without refined flour and white sugar. Check out my Pinterest for some great recipes!

Find out some guidelines on determining when organic food, specifically fruits and vegetables are worth the added cost in this blog: When is Organic Really Worth it?

Unbelievabowl Paleo: 60 Wholesome One-Dish Recipes You Won’t Believe Are Dairy- and Gluten-Free This book has easy, delicious recipes. Plus, guidance on meal plans to possibly help with some specific health conditions. It is everything you need to know as a beginner to eating paleo recipes. It was also written by a Certified Clinical Nutritionist.


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Roadmap to Eating More Real Food & Reducing Sugar Consumption

 

 


 

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Jena

Jena

I have a Wellness Coach Certificate, I’m an entrepreneur, an innovator, writer, and artist. My expertise includes over 7 years of marketing, research, and developing content for holistic health businesses. Plus, my own personal journey of becoming chronically sick: understanding what went wrong, and finding a way to heal and live a healthier life. I have a passion for wellness with a wealth of knowledge surrounding: wellness, flaws in healthcare, root causes for chronic illnesses, and alternative treatments.

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