| u head to the grocery store, shopping for products | | | | discarded the peel, you've also discarded the |
| like eggs, meat, fish, milk, and produce can be very | | | | chemicals. Instead, opt for organic items like apples, |
| tricky. Signs are posted everywhere labeling food as | | | | where you eat the peel. No matter what you buy, |
| natural, organic, and a number of other things-but | | | | however, make sure that you rinse off the food |
| what's the difference, really? Learning what specific | | | | when you get home. |
| names mean can help you decide if you should shell | | | | Another tricky label you will see is "no hormones." |
| out extra money on a product, whether the nutrition | | | | This is usually in regards to milk or meat products and |
| value is better or if it is simply a marketing ploy. | | | | is false, since all animals naturally produce hormones. |
| Natural is a term associated with a number of fruit | | | | Hormones are what helps an animal (even a human) |
| and vegetable product. Typically, this is simple a | | | | regulate body organs, have young, and otherwise |
| marketing ploy to convince you to buy the product. | | | | function. All meat products have hormones. What the |
| After all, all fruits and vegetables are natural, right? | | | | labels really mean is that no hormones were |
| Unless it's a new kind of food that has been | | | | unnaturally given to the animal, which is sometimes |
| developed and processed, the product is natural. | | | | done to increase milk production. Regardless of |
| Probably what you're really looking for is organic. | | | | hormones, however, the milk and meat is safe for a |
| Organic foods are grown without chemical pesticides | | | | person and not a violation of an animal's rights. |
| and fertilizers. There are two main benefits to organic | | | | Lastly, a label on eggs and meat can indicate if the |
| foods. Firstly, you are helping the environment as | | | | animal was caged or penned. This does not make a |
| chemicals are not being introduced into nature. | | | | difference in the quality or nutritional value of the |
| Secondly, you are avoiding ingesting chemicals and | | | | meat, but is simply a matter of animal rights. These |
| are therefore benefitting by using a healthier food. | | | | products may be a bit more expensive, but if you |
| However, organic products are usually more | | | | want to make human decisions, that is the way to |
| expensive while nutrition is the same (I mean a good | | | | go. Reading the label and making healthy choices can |
| apple is a good apple). If you're on a budget, skip | | | | sometimes be difficult, but learning how to do so can |
| over organic fruits and vegetables that you can peel, | | | | help you make the best choices for you diet. |
| like oranges and bananas. After all, once you've | | | | |