What is the difference between organic and organically grown

The pesticides help to control the environment, so that the plant has a nice and relaxing journey towards full growth. That doesn't sound too bad does it? Now when a seed is not genetically modified like the seeds on our farm , it must work twice as hard to resist sickness and disease and survive in harsher conditions, therefore, it contains more nutrients and is much healthier for those who consume the finished plant.

Have you ever tasted the biggest strawberries at the grocery store, only to discover that they didn't taste like much? Since the certified organic herbs didn't have to work very hard to grow, they lack the nutrients that make them taste as good as they should! Mountain Maus' organic farming and gardening has many more benefits and is less damaging to the environment in the following ways:. The results are based on analysis of pesticide residue testing data from the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.

Every year EWG takes to task the worst offenders with its Dirty Dozen list, while giving a shout-out to produce with the lowest pesticide levels with the list of the less contaminated.

Dirty Dozen: The 12 listed organic foods in order of pesticide load, apples being the worst offenders. Onions 2. Sweet corn 3.

Pineapples 4. Avocado 5. Cabbage 6. Sweet peas 7. Asparagus 8. Which should you choose? Get the facts before you shop. The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to meet the following goals:. The U. Department of Agriculture USDA has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards.

These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any product labeled as organic on the product description or packaging must be USDA certified.

These producers must follow the guidelines for organic food production, but they do not need to go through the certification process. The USDA also has guidelines on how organic foods are described on product labels:.

No, "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable terms. In general, "natural" on a food label means that it has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

It does not refer to the methods or materials used to produce the food ingredients. Other common food labels should also not be confused with organic labels. For example, the guidelines for certified organic beef include — among a number of requirements — access to pasture during a minimum day grazing season and no growth hormones.

But the labels "free-range" or "hormone-free," while they must be used truthfully, do not indicate a farmer followed all guidelines for organic certification. There is a growing body of evidence that shows some potential health benefits of organic foods when compared with conventionally grown foods. While these studies have shown differences in the food, there is limited information to draw conclusions about how these differences translate into overall health benefits.

One common concern with organic food is cost. Organic foods typically cost more than their conventional counterparts. Higher prices are due, in part, to more expensive farming practices. Whether you go totally organic or opt to mix conventional and organic foods, be sure to keep these tips in mind:. Some studies have indicated that the use of pesticides even at low doses can increase the risk of certain cancers , such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing. Exposure at an early age may cause developmental delays, behavioral disorders, autism, immune system harm, and motor dysfunction.

Pregnant women are more vulnerable due to the added stress pesticides put on their already taxed organs. Plus, pesticides can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as through breast milk. Rinsing fresh produce reduces but does not eliminate pesticides.

Peeling sometimes helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, wash and scrub all produce thoroughly, and buy organic when possible.

Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally-grown food. But if you set some priorities, it may be possible to purchase organic food and stay within your food budget. Some types of conventionally-grown produce are much higher in pesticides than others, and should be avoided when possible. Others are low enough that buying non-organic is relatively safe. According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.

In the U. These practices can have health consequences for both the animals themselves and people consuming their meat, eggs, or milk. You may find that buying cheaper cuts of meat from organically raised animals enables you to eat organic without breaking your food budget. Try buying organic chicken thighs instead of conventionally raised chicken breasts, for example. Join a food co-op. A natural foods co-op, or cooperative grocery store typically offers lower prices to members, who pay an annual fee to belong.

Local and organic! Buy in season. Fruits and vegetables are cheapest and freshest when they are in season. Shop around.

Making junk food sound healthy is a common marketing ploy in the food industry but organic baked goods, desserts, and snacks are usually still very high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories.

It pays to read food labels carefully. Organic food is more labor intensive since the farmers do not use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or drugs.

You may also be interested in: Understanding genetically modified foods Hormones and antibiotics in food production What you need to know about pesticides Facts on pasteurization. Dietitians look beyond fads to deliver reliable, life-changing advice. Want to unlock the potential of food? Connect with a dietitian. For example, organic food like vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk and meat is produced without: Synthetic human-made pesticides , herbicides and fertilizers.

Organic farmers may use natural pesticides approved for organic food production. Genetically modified organisms GMOs Antibiotics or growth hormones Irradiation or ionizing radiation a way to preserve food with radiation energy Non-organic farmers may use some organic farm practices as well. Do organic foods have less pesticide residue than non-organic foods?