I read this the other day and thought it made some good points, so I got permission to publish here.

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Anyone aware of the amount of chemicals included in highly processed food is aware of the importance and the benefits of organic foods in the first place. By the difference between organic and conventional food, we don’t necessarily imply that between an organic and a non-organic apple. We should actually stress out the health benefits of organic foods first and foremost.

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Lots of consumers suffering from some form of chronic illness or even cancer, choose organic foods as safer and more health oriented than conventional products. Although lots of people claim that there is little difference in terms of nutrients, the absence of hormones and chemicals from organic food works great for the promotion of a state of well-being. Lots of consumer analyses do not refer to the difference in nutrients value, there are studies however that indicate superior characteristics and more benefits of organic foods in the first place.

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It seems that among the benefits of organic foods we ought to include more vitamin C, higher levels of trace minerals and plenty of anti-oxidant nutrients. A report made by the US Department of Agriculture indicates that there has been a significant decline in the minerals levels of meat, dairy and vegetables since 1940 in terms of regular non-organic crops. The fact that nowadays we store food extensively and we treat and process the products so much contributes to an alteration of the nutritional value.

Surprising benefits of organic foods include the higher content of dry matter. To make this clear, we have to consider the fact that the use of the artificial fertilizers causes the fruits or vegetables to retain more water and thus swell. Thus, a non-organic apple gives less food than an organic one. Nevertheless, besides the superiority of nutrients, more advantages of organic food can be identified.

First of all, virtually no pesticide residues can be traced in organic products. Even if conventional food producers say that pesticides are no threat to human health, one doesn’t have to be all knowledgeable to realize that the ingestion of anything chemical can’t be healthy and positive for the body in terms of effects. The benefits of organic foods are over-emphasized at present, with more and more consumers choosing them over conventional foods. Gradually this high popularity will definitely trigger a reorientation of the market and even a redefinition of the standards that characterize organic food in its essence.

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Benefits of Eating Organically

If you’re looking for a better class of food, organic food usually fits the bill.  But you need some specific health food information, like how you define organic food.

The USDA defines organic food like this:

“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”

Check For The Organic Label

There are various “shades” of organic when it comes to labels, and it can be confusing and misleading. A product labeled as “natural” for instance, is not the same thing as one labeled organic.

Only foods labeled “100% Organic” contain 100% organically produced ingredients.

If the label merely says “Organic”, that means only 95% of the ingredients listed must be organically grown. The remaining 5% must consist of substances on an approved National List.

If a product has at least 70% organic ingredients, it can have a label that says, “made with organic ingredients.” Usually there is a list of the organic ingredients included.

The USDA makes a point to re-emphasize that none of the foods with “organic” in the labeling may be produced using sewage sludge or ionizing radiation. Of course, none of the excluded methods such as those listed in the above USDA definition of organic food are allowed.

If you’re looking for organically grown food, it helps to understand how to define organic food and what the various labels mean so you know what you’re getting and if it’s worth what you’re paying for it.

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Defining Organic Food

Unless you’ve had your head stuck in the sand, you know we’re in a recession. Because of that economic slow down, it was expected by market researchers that there would be a slump in sales of organic foods.

Organic Food Sales Increased

Turns out instead of a slow down in organic food sales, they actually increased by 15.8 percent in 2008, according to a survey done by the Lieberman Research Group for the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

The Organic Trade Association’s executive director Christine Bushway declared, “Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products. This marks another milestone for the organic food market.”

The survey found that organic food accounted for about 3.5 percent of US food sales last year. Not only that, but organic food sales grew at a much faster rate than general US food sales. 

The Biggest Sellers In Organic Foods

Yes, we love our fruits and vegetables!  They constitute the biggest part of organic food sales, accounting for about 37 percent.  As I mentioned in a previous post, “Food Holidays In June“, now is a great time to be getting fresh fruits and vegetables at Farmer’s Markets.  If you don’t know where to find one, you can look at the Local Harvest website to locate the nearest Farmer’s Markets, family farms and producers of organic foods.

Beverages and dairy sales are the other biggest sellers in the organic food market, at 14 percent each.  Organic beverage sales are growing the fastest, with 40% more sales in 2008 than the previous year. Organic breads and grains are close behind in sales growth, with 35 percent more sales over the year before.

(If you’re interested in the best whole grain breads, check out “Looking For Healthy Whole Grain Breads.”)

Choosing Organic Food

So how about you? In these times when most people are trying to make their dollar stretch more and more, are you choosing to go for the value of organic foods?

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Do You Buy Organic Foods?