Nutrition: Should we eat organic?

Do you usually go to the grocery store to buy products such as eggs, meat, fish, milk and fruits and vegetables? Learning when a food is natural or organic can help you decide if you should spend more money on a product, if the nutritional value of that product is better, or if it is just a marketing ploy.

The term natural is associated with a number of fruit and vegetable products. Usually, it is just a marketing ploy to convince you to buy the product. After all, all fruits and vegetables are natural, right? Unless it is a new type of food that has been developed and processed, the product is natural. We think you are probably looking for an organic product.

Organic foods are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Organic food has two main benefits.

• First, you are helping the environment because chemicals are not introduced into nature.
• Secondly, you avoid ingesting chemicals and therefore enjoy a healthier diet.

However, organic products are generally more expensive while their nutritional value is the same. If you are on a budget, avoid organic fruits and vegetables that you can peel, such as oranges and bananas. After all, once you throw away the peel, you're also throwing away the chemicals. Instead, opt for organic produce like apples, where you eat the skin. Whatever product you buy, be sure to rinse it off once you get home.

Another discovery you may make is when you are told that the product is "hormone free." This statement, which is usually for dairy or meat products, is false, as all animals naturally produce hormones. Hormones are what help an animal regulate its organs, procreate and function. All meat products contain hormones. What the labels really mean is that no hormones have been administered to the animal in an unnatural way, which is sometimes done to increase milk production. Regardless of the hormones, however, the milk and meat are safe for humans and are not a violation of animal rights.

Finally, a label on eggs and meat may indicate whether the animal was cage or pen raised. This does not change the quality or nutritional value of the meat, but is simply an animal rights issue. These products may be a little more expensive, but if you want to make humane decisions, this is the way to go. Reading the label and making healthy choices can sometimes be difficult, but learning to do so can help you make the best choices for your diet.