Supermarkets today have so many labels on food produce it can be confusing when deciding which one to settle for. With the debate as to whether organic are more nutritious over natural foods yet to convince most
consumers, some education on the pros and cons of organic and labeled foods will certainly go a long way in informing the choices one makes
Usually, fruits and vegetables are known as natural foods because they are (or supposed to be) eaten in their raw from. This ensures the body absorbs maximum nutrients hence making our bodies healthier. With the addition of fertilizers to aid the growth and maturation process of the so called natural foods, the nutritional value within them are reduced and compromised.
Organic foods however, are so called because they are grown entirely without the aid of chemicals and fertilizers. The obvious advantage they have over natural foods is that, they retain their full nutritional value and therefore healthier than their natural counterpart. Also, by avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers help in protecting the environment as less Carbon is released into the atmosphere. The downside is that, they tend to be more expensive than their natural foods. If you’re on a budget however, you can still stick to the natural foods but ensure these foods are properly washed before eating to eliminate the chemicals around them as much as possible.
Another label one is likely to see is “No Hormones”, usually on milk and meat products. Hormones are chemicals released in animals (including humans) to regulate body metabolism. In other words, then a specific action is to be accomplished, these chemicals are released. Animals can be injected with hormones to enable them accelerate certain activities such as the production of milk in cattle, for instance. Where this is the case, milk production may not be of the highest nutritional value. The label “No Hormones” therefore, implies no “chemical” help was given to the cattle that produced the milk.
Yet another label one can find on supermarket produce, usually on eggs is the “Free Range”. This is an indication that the chicken that produced the eggs were allowed to roam around the farm instead of being caged. These tend to be more expensive and nutritious than the normal ones produced.
consumers, some education on the pros and cons of organic and labeled foods will certainly go a long way in informing the choices one makes
Usually, fruits and vegetables are known as natural foods because they are (or supposed to be) eaten in their raw from. This ensures the body absorbs maximum nutrients hence making our bodies healthier. With the addition of fertilizers to aid the growth and maturation process of the so called natural foods, the nutritional value within them are reduced and compromised.
Organic foods however, are so called because they are grown entirely without the aid of chemicals and fertilizers. The obvious advantage they have over natural foods is that, they retain their full nutritional value and therefore healthier than their natural counterpart. Also, by avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers help in protecting the environment as less Carbon is released into the atmosphere. The downside is that, they tend to be more expensive than their natural foods. If you’re on a budget however, you can still stick to the natural foods but ensure these foods are properly washed before eating to eliminate the chemicals around them as much as possible.
Another label one is likely to see is “No Hormones”, usually on milk and meat products. Hormones are chemicals released in animals (including humans) to regulate body metabolism. In other words, then a specific action is to be accomplished, these chemicals are released. Animals can be injected with hormones to enable them accelerate certain activities such as the production of milk in cattle, for instance. Where this is the case, milk production may not be of the highest nutritional value. The label “No Hormones” therefore, implies no “chemical” help was given to the cattle that produced the milk.
Yet another label one can find on supermarket produce, usually on eggs is the “Free Range”. This is an indication that the chicken that produced the eggs were allowed to roam around the farm instead of being caged. These tend to be more expensive and nutritious than the normal ones produced.
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