There are a lot of buzzwords out there when it comes to healthy food options. So what exactly is organic food and why does it matter?
What Are the Standards for Organic Foods?
You’ve probably noticed the USDA Organic stamp on items at the grocery store. So what standards do organic lemons have to meet to achieve this sought-after seal?
Farmers must grow or raise their food in conditions that match specific guidelines to achieve the USDA Organic stamp. These guidelines pertain to pest control, use of preservatives/additives, fertilizers, soil quality, and overall farming practices.
Conventional farmers can use synthetic pesticides and genetically-engineered crops to reduce disease or crop loss due to insects and other invaders. Organic farms, on the other hand, can only use natural substances and physical labor to kill weeds and keep their crops healthy.
In fact, a farm must have three years with no inorganic products in order to qualify as organic. During these three years, farms are qualified as “transitioning” to organic, but they have not yet achieved the official stamp.
How to Know if You’re Buying Organic
The best way to be 100% sure that your foods are organic is to look for the USDA seal. Food companies can include buzzwords like “natural” that may sound enticing but don’t actually indicate any commitment to organic farming or processing.
What’s the Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic Foods?
The major difference between organic and non-organic foods are how the food is produced, packaged, and treated. Organic foods are never exposed to man-made chemicals or fertilizers that extend their life or increase their speed of growth.
In general, farmers grow non-organic foods on a massive scale without much quality control. If you’ve seen huge soybean or cornfields, chances are you’ve seen the non-organic, industrial side of agriculture here in the US.
Do Organic Foods Taste Better?
When it comes to taste and nutrition, organic foods tend to win on both counts. First of all, non-organic foods are treated with chemicals or genetic engineering. These processes make crops and livestock grow quickly and last a long time after harvest. Therefore, non-organic foods often travel far and long from the field to your plate.
Food, especially fruits and vegetables, start to lose nutritional value and flavor as soon as its harvested. So the farther and longer your food has traveled, the fewer nutrients and flavor compounds end up in your meal.
How to Eat Organic Foods for Breakfast
You can find organic versions of most of your favorite produce, meat, and dairy products, from berries to milled flours. The best way to start your day with a nutritious, organic breakfast is with a warm or chilled bowl of MuMu Muesli.
We make all of our products with 100% USDA-certified organic ingredients, from the oats to the almonds to the dried fruit! Once you give it a try, you’ll taste the difference.
