Organic foods vs. Natural foods

You walk over to the healthy side of your grocery store and you see two different types of the same food. Both are brands you like but one says Natural and the other says Organic. Which one do you choose? Which one is better?

Lets start off by defining the two:

Organic Food

Organic food is food produced without the use of synthetic chemicals and the meat is raised without antibiotics or hormones. Organic foods are heavily regulated. Most countries do not allow genetic modification of the food either. Organic farming has a much lower impact on the environment in general which is its major benefit. There is no concrete proof out there saying Organic food is healthier for you or tastes better. I know a lot of people like to point out a few poorly run studies on health benefits but the consensus still says there is no difference in health/nutrition. Taste is too subjective to really get a good idea on.  The benefit is great for the environment and helps some of the smaller farmers. The drawback is that it does cost more to buy as it costs more to grow and raise.

Natural Foods

In the United States there is no definition for Natural foods. You read that right. It is nothing more than a marketing tactic. This isn't to say that all companies are out to fool you and get your money. A majority of them really mean what they say in bringing mostly natural foods to the product you're enjoying. They just getting a little help from a few ingredients that some people wouldn't consider natural. Assuming the companies strive to use natural ingredients that would be easier on the environment but there are no regulations requiring them to do so. If you are curious about your favorite natural brand just google it and add an "is" before it and a "natural" afterward and you'll get your answer.

Back to our questions: Which one do you choose? Organic Foods are much better for the environment but it depends specifically on your goals. If you are trying to do the best for the environment go organic, but if you are trying to eat the healthiest just avoid the more processed versions of both. Which one is better? Again it all lies in your goals. The Natural label may mean nothing so it may not hurt to buy the normal version of something verses the Natural and save some money. Having a choice between the two (and having the money) I go with organic each time, with all else being equal. But in the end I tend to eat in a specific manner that benefits my health the most, which doesn't always include the above options.

Food for thought…