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We're regularly encouraged by nutrition experts to always buy organic foods. But what exactly does that mean, and will we be positive just how well it will be regulated? And just how about those other terms there are on product labels in the supermarket such as local, free range as well as natural? We're going to attempt here to convey some logic to the subject, however as we'll see there are no clear-cut regulations. Even the USDA, which we think is the last word in food product health safety, often issue a few regulations that can cause one to scratch their head in wonder. When we purchase eggs, for example, we now have the choices of conventional, cage free, free range, organic or vegetarian. The first three don't tell us much regarding the chickens except for the ranging degrees that they can move about. Even free range does not imply grassy green pastures, but they have actually accessibility to an exterior spot as long as they decide to use it. Organic, however, states these hens were raised on organic feed and vegetarian eggs as well mean the hens have a specific food regimen. Reality is, often labels have import, plus others are there for marketing. But the USDA will essentially tell us that these eggs, if organic or not, comprise very similar nutritional value. It's been seen in tests hens produced in a more natural environment while it ate their natural diet produced eggs much more nourishing than from chickens cooped up within an unnatural situation. So let's analyze 3 terms that you will observe on the grocery display units that will give you an idea of whether it offers nutritional value or possibly is there to sell additional products. 1. Certified organic. When you notice a food item that has this tag, this in essence means it is strictly government regulated. Any farm from which these products are must remain herbicide as well as pesticide free for a minimum of 3 years. The animals that produce the food must have not been given antibiotics or growth hormones, as well as businesses that handle the goods between origin and end use will also have to become certified. The way it is applicable to the term organic food product will be loosely applied to food produced in naturally-occurring environments without the use of synthetics. In the United States to get legally branded organic the food has to have a minimum of 95% organic products. Unfortunately, the term "organic" most of the time isn't much more than the selling name. 2. Natural food. The Food and Drug Administration has no recognized definition of this term, so basically anyone can slap the term "natural" on the tag and it's at liberty to do so. The exception will be meats and poultry, wherein the FDA prohibits those food products to include any synthetic food dyes, synthetic substances or artificial flavors. 3. Local food. The concept of "local", theoretically meaning it had been grown in the region, has virtually no meaning. A part of the Farm Bill in 2008 said that in case an item is labeled so it must be grown within 400 miles of wherever it goes to market. Maybe the only advantage from fruits and vegetables labeled "local" may be permitted to ripen longer and consequently will taste superior and perhaps be more nutritious. Finding foods that are truly organic take some research, you have to look at the facts. On our website we will not only will we tell you which foods will help in aging in a healthy way, but but also how to exercise. Diets with Mediterranean food fit this agenda. Find out more about this and other healthy foods on our website http://losethatbellyfat.info/. Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.
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