Why are so many people going organic? You’ve probably seen the USDA organic label and wondered what that really means. What is the difference between an organic cauliflower and a non-organic cauliflower? We decided to break it down to help you understand what organic really means, and why eating organic matters.

What Are Organic Foods?

Organic farming means growing, processing, and handling food without the use of artificial methods. The USDA evaluates how this food is produced, and if it meets the standards, it will be labeled as organic.

To meet the USDA standards, organic farming and foods avoid using:

• Antibiotics or growth hormones when raising animals.
• Synthetic fertilizers or pesticides in farming (some exceptions may apply).
• Any genetically modified ingredients.
• Artificial flavoring, coloring, or preservatives.

 Benefits of Eating Organic Foods

Farming directly affects nature, and therefore it directly affects you and me. Choosing organic options are not only a good choice for your health, but also for the health of the environment. Below are some of the biggest benefits of switching to organic:

 1.    Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Some of the main principals of organic farming are to preserve the environment by creating as little pollution as possible and not using chemicals that can runoff into bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

 Animals that are grass-fed and raised using organic methods can also help keep soil nutritious for future crops. You can do your part in reducing your carbon footprint by choosing organic options the next time you’re at the grocery store.

2.    Add More Nutrients in Your Food

An easy way to add a bit more nutrients to your diet is by switching to organic produce, meat, and dairy. Vegetables and fruits that are grown using organic methods are found to have more antioxidants and other helpful nutrients for your body than non-organic ones.

 Switching to organic meat and dairy can be a great way to add healthy unsaturated fats to your diet. Animals raised using organic methods get to spend their time outdoors and usually have a grass-fed diet. This makes organic meat and dairy better for you because they contain more omega-3 fatty acids.

Where Should I Start with Organic Foods?

If you want to incorporate organic foods into your diet but don’t know where to begin, we recommend starting with these foods: 

• All animal products (dairy, meat, poultry)

• Strawberries

• Kale

• Spinach

• Apples

• Grapes

• Peaches

• Potatoes

• Tomatoes

• Celery

• Nectarines