The Practical Nutritionist, LLC

Audrey J Pellegrino, M. Ed, M.HN,CNW®

Nationally board Certified Nutritional Wellness

Holistic Nutritionist/Educator

603-768-3214

practicalnutrition@gmail.com

www.pnutritionist.com

Natural or Organic?

Are you confused when you see a label that tells you a food is natural or organic? One of the fastest growing food markets is the natural foods category and everyone wants to get in on it, but what does it really mean and is it worth the extra cost that you pay? Often people who cannot afford to buy organic, buy natural products hoping that it is a step in a healthy direction.

Natural is a product which began as recognizable and you would be able to find it in some form, in nature. However, natural products are grown routinely using sewage sludge, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones and may or may not be genetically modified. We like to think of natural products as those grown by our neighbors and local farmers, but 90% of our food comes from mega farms with million dollar budgets and are run by someone not in overalls, but a very expensive three piece suit.

The foods that we buy that are certified organic means the farmers have guaranteed and are closely governed to not use synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, hormones, animal drugs, irradiation, chemical fertilizers or sewage sludge. Because the farmers have chosen not to use these methods, the foods are not transported long distances (due to spoilage) and save fossil fuel, limiting auto pollution. If you look at the upc sticker on your fruits and vegetables, if it begins with a nine that means the food is organically grown.

I know that you are thinking this is all well and good but you cannot afford to buy organic. There are some foods which are more heavily sprayed and treated and thus those are the ones you should buy organic whenever possible. These are the fruits which are: strawberries, cherries, raspberries, imported grapes, apples and peaches. The vegetables which are heavily treated are potatoes, lettuce, spinach, celery and bell peppers. There is a way to buy organic produce on a budget and that is to buy frozen. Most fruits and vegetables are flash frozen near to where they are grown; therefore they are picked when they are ripest and full of nutrients. When you buy frozen they also tend to cost less per pound (the farmers do not have to worry about spoilage).

So this new year as you try to improve your health take small steps to improve the quality of the food you buy and you will also be supporting the smaller organic farmers. Happy New Year!