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Real Food

Weekly Challenge # 9 – Organic and All Natural

Label Reading – All Natural vs Organic

This week we dig more into label reading.  I have to tell you, the more you know…….the more it feels you need to know more.  At least that is how I feel as my Real Food journey keeps moving along.  When I started looking at food labels, I saw all kinds of health claims.  Two labels that I kept seeing over and over were “All Natural” and “Organic”.  I really had no idea what those labels meant, but they certainly sounded like they might be something I should be eating on my Real Food diet.  The Challenge this week is to learn the difference between “All Natural “and “Organic” foods.

As I looked into the definition of “All Natural”, I was surprised to find out that there is not a regulated definition of “All Natural”.  The “All Natural” term is a marketing term only.  It is generally believed to be foods free of natural colors, synthetic ingredient, and artificial flavors.  Many of the food products that I have found labeled “All Natural” do turn out to be pretty good products, but that is not always the case.  In fact, “All Natural” can be anything the food marketers want it to mean.  High-fructose corn syrup is technically a natural food, but it certainly is not an ingredient I want to see in the food I give my family.

What is interesting about the term “All Natural” is that most people interpret it how they want to.  If I’m trying to lose weight, I assume it is low in calories.  If I am trying to cut back on salt,  I assume it is lower in salt that a similar product.  Hmm……sounds like a great way to tell people nothing, while selling a lot of products.
On the other hand “Organic” is a highly regulated term with a specific definition.  According to the USDA “Organic” is:
 Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. 

Most of us think of chemical free when we think of “Organic” foods.  I was surprised to find out how much more “Organic” included.  Sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering was not even something I thought possible for my food.  Food is just food right?  I can choose to have it with or without the chemicals?  This is where knowing just a little bit made me crave more information.

I had already decided that I wanted to feed my family the most nutrient dense food possible.  I also started to give a lot of thought to whether or not I wanted to feed my family chemicals that have not been proven to be safe over time to people or the environment.  If you haven’t thought about this before, maybe now is the time to start.

Have you noticed “All Natural” products before?  Have you used “Organic” products before? I encourage you this week to start checking those labels and find out what ingredients really are in those products you are buying.  Remember, every time you shop you are voting with your dollars.  Are you going to choose to vote for highly processed foods or are you interested in eating a more natural diet which is more in-line with what our grandmothers and great-grandmothers cooked for their families?  Michael Pollan in his book In Defense of Food says, ” But over the last several decades, mom lost much of her authority over the dinner menu, ceding it to scientists and food marketers…………………….”  I say we MOMS need to take that authority back.Don’t forget you can join us on Facebook for more fun and support along the way.  You can also follow us on Twitter @Jugglngrealfood if you are interested in learning more about the Real Food Movement.  You can also follow our boards on Pinterest.

 

Comments

  2. We eat mostly organic food. "All Natural" means absolutely NOTHING to me. I read labels like it's going out of style. Chips and snack food really piss me off. All these baked, 'all natural' flavored chips that have the word 'healthy' printed all over the box… and then you look at the nutrition information and there's a TON of salt, artificial colors, flavors, MSG, and all kinds of other chemicals that I can't even pronounce, on top of the fact that you're really not saving a lot on the calories! On the other hand, your basic Lays potato chip, which everyone thinks is horrendously unhealthy… has only three ingredients! And none of them are really that bad for you if consumed in moderation. One serving of regular potato chips with some carrots or celery… really a much better choice than those chemical-laden 'healthy' baked chips. And you're right… the more you know, the more you feel like you need to learn. I feel as though I've been bamboozled by both the food companies AND the government for allowing the food companies to do what is tantamount to lying. Aw jeez, you got me all fired up. haha

    Reply

    • We all should be fired up Kristen! I am horrified at what big business has fooled us into thinking is healthy. I think of all the busy moms I know (including me) that buy food based on the health claims. They are lies. How is it that these same companies make the same foods in other countries without harmful dies and GMOs? Why is it OK in America?

      Reply

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