Organic Versus Non-Organic Foods

Over the past several months, I have been getting asked a couple of questions over and over again. The 1st question is What is the difference between organic and non-organic food and the 2nd is Why is organic better then non-organic? In this article I will be answering both questions.

Organic foods are produced from environmentally sound methods that do not included chemically altered ingredients such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMO), and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives. To be classified as organic foods the USDA states that they must have 95% usage of organic compounds to grow them. As for me, I prefer the 100% pure organic grown foods that is produced from using nothing but organic material.

Non-organic foods are foods that are grown using chemically altered ingredients such as pesticides and chemical fertilizer, contains genetically modified organisms (GMO), and are processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives. This are food are grown to be resistant to all types of diseases and insects. While that seems to be a good thing, the effects that these chemically altered foods has on the human body is not a favorable thing. In future articles, I will be covering this more.

Why is organic foods better then non-organic foods? That is a good question that needs to be asked and I am glad I have been asked that question. One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been covered in pesticides. Organic farms ban the use of artificial pesticides. In the UK, 31,000 tons of pesticides are sprayed on to farmland every year, and 25% of food carries residues of these chemicals, created to kill pests and weeds. Non-organic fruit and veg is covered in the stuff and it won't all wash off. Pesticide residues turn up, not just on fruit and vegetables, but in bread, baby food and other products. Governments claim that there's no need risk to health from these pesticide traces, but wouldn't you rather feed yourself and your kids on food that's pesticide free?

Another way that organic foods is better then non-organic foods is for the health benefits. Organic foods can be more nutritious, richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic. Also you don't forget the feel-good factor that organic foods brings. One of the greatest advantages of organic foods is that buying and eating them is a real, guilt-free pleasure, which is more than you can say for the average supermarket shopping trip. It's great to know that you're not only helping the environment, you're feeding your family on good, pure food, that tastes better than processed food, and has no hidden unhealthy chemicals. That makes you feel good just knowing that.