Diet Tips for Everyone

There was a point many years ago when most of the world either didn’t pay attention to or understand what natural organic food was, let alone the meaning of hormone free and free range. Food was food. But today, people are becoming more conscious of what they put in their bodies. Many of us are beginning to understand the importance of these more natural foods and are not only shopping differently but also choosing more carefully what we order when eating out. However, not all organic foods are the same and that difference shows up in the cost and availability of organic products.

According to the U.S.D.A, in order for any food to be labeled as “USDA organic” certain standards must be met. These standards are usually related to the growing, production or manufacturing process involved. A true organic food may have no ingredients that are synthetic such as pesticides or residue of fertilizers. At least 95% of what goes into an organic food must also be organic. Animals from which products are derived must never have been given growth hormones or antibiotics. If a food is labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients”, only 70% of the ingredients must be organic.

The ideal choice for organic foods is to buy locally grown products that are handled less during the trip from field to table. Organic foods that travel long distances before you buy them can lose some of their organic benefits. Scientists recommend buying organic when purchasing foods generally found to contain higher levels of pesticides when commercially produced.

Fruits grown commercially that have been shown to contain the higher amounts of pesticides are cherries, imported grapes, pears, strawberries and raspberries, apples, and peaches. Celery, potatoes, spinach, bell peppers, and hot peppers are vegetables that, when not grown organically, contain high pesticide levels. With this in mind, the smart decision would be to buy the organically grown versions of these products, despite the higher price.

The fruits found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelon, plums and kiwis. The vegetables found to contain the lowest levels of pesticides are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli and onions. If on a tight budget, these foods provide a safer alternative when purchasing commercially produced products. Consumers should note that this is not the final word on the above products, but more a matter of the degrees of risk with these products versus those with higher pesticide levels.

When shopping for gadgets or kitchenware, consumer websites can help with picking best products; organic food requires a little more work. As with any dietary choice, choosing organic comes down to personal needs and tastes. Many consumers are not aware that some foods carry a much higher organic benefit than others, and that even factors such as shipping distance affect the value of organic products. Whether or not you choose to eat organic is up to you, but knowing the facts always makes the decision easier.

Stan Dyer is a seasoned writer and photographer residing in Colorado. To have organic food and products delivered to your doorstep, visit http://www.OrganicFoodeStore.com.

With hypermarkets becoming an agglomeration of poisoning so-called foods, and in the conditions of more and more sensitivities and illness, it’s no wonder people turn towards natural organic foods.

Although comparisons between non-conventional and conventional foods show great relevancy, the rule of the common sense is the one that influences the purchase decision. The dangers that lurk in non-organic foods are hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and fertilizers. The non-organic livestock is raised in very harsh conditions, while the fruit and vegetables are synthetically boosted to look great and take the consumer’s eye. By contrast, natural organic foods are cultivated or grown according to the rules of Mother Nature, with very little human intervention.

Natural organic foods may also have traces of chemical residues, but these are usually drifted from nearby farms that rely on chemicals for crop production. Furthermore, with natural organic foods the amount of nutrients is significantly higher while the threats are considerably fewer. Let’s take eggs for instance, analyzes indicate that besides the fact that the organic product is free of antibiotics and hormones, there is less saturated fat, less cholesterol, huge amounts of beta-carotene, superior levels of vitamin A, twice more Omega3 acids than in non-organic eggs. The difference is more than apparent, not to mention that the quality of the protein is significant too.

The word has traveled far about the positive aspects of natural organic foods, and since direct access to organic retails is not available on all geographic locations, it is good to know that one can order the various products from a close source online. If you want to buy natural organic foods, it is more likely to find them at the market than in hypermarkets. Moreover, in case you travel to the country side, the chances to find producers of natural organic foods is a lot higher. Make a bit of research and see where you find them and whether you can make some supplies.

The only problem with natural organic foods is their price, because they are between 10% and 40% more expensive than non-organic foods. When it comes to vegetables and fruits, the products are very easy to recognize by their look: there will be no huge perfect strawberries or apples, but various fruit sizes, some flawed, others intact. Although it is more difficult to tell the difference for meat, go shopping in markets and supermarkets and you’ll find what you need!

Lee loves designer fashion, such as Juicy Couture Flip Flops.