The Difference Between Organic Foods And Whole Foods

Nowadays we hear a lot about the organic and whole foods. If you are confused about the difference between whole foods and organic foods, read below to better understand these terms. Both whole foods and organic foods are beneficial for the human body compared to foods that contain chemicals and preservatives.

What Are Whole Foods?                         

• The term whole food refers to any food that is as close to its natural state as possible for consumption.
• Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible, before being consumed.
• Whole foods are free of chemicals, additives and preservatives. Whole foods typically do not contain added salt, carbohydrates, or fat.
• Fruits and vegetables are a simple example of a whole food. Other types of whole foods include nuts, beans, seeds, milk, eggs and certain cuts of meat, fish and poultry. If any additives or processing has occurred, then a food is no longer considered a whole food. The process of pasteurization to milk is not considered an unnatural process and pasteurized milk is still considered a whole food.

What Are Organic Foods?

• Organic food has become very popular these days. Organic foods are foods produced by organic farming. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.
• Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given organic feed. They may not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products.
• The goal of organic foods and organic farming is to "integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."
• To be certified as organic, certified government officials visit the farms and plants that grow and process these foods. After inspection, if the locations are up to USDA standards, hen the farm or plant is certified as organic.
• When you’re shopping for organic foods, look for the “USDA Organic” seal. Only foods that are 95 to 100 percent organic (and GMO-free) can use the USDA Organic label.
• 100% Organic – Foods that are completely organic or made with 100% organic ingredients may display the USDA seal. Organic – Foods that contain at least 95% organic ingredients may display the USDA seal.
• Made with organic ingredients – Foods that contain at least 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the front of the package. Contains organic ingredients – Foods that contain less than 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the information panel of the package.

Benefits Of Whole Foods

• When foods are processed, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water are often lost during the process, which makes the food less healthy. Whole foods are not processed nor do they have any of these unhealthy additives.
• Many studies have found that a diet high in healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as many types of cancer, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases.
• They also contain phytochemicals, the general name for natural compounds in plants, which protects our cells against damage.
• One of the biggest advantages of eating whole foods is that you're getting the natural synergy of all the nutrients together.
• With all of the extra fat and sugar in processed foods, the calories can quickly add up. That leads to weight gain. But eating more healthy whole foods may actually help you maintain or lose weight. The natural fiber in many vegetables, fruits, and grains may fill you up without adding many calories.
• Whole foods do not have any unnecessary added sugars and salt. The extra salt and sugar in processed foods leads to high blood pressure and numerous other health problems.
• Generally, the more processed things are, the higher the cost. Whole foods are much cheaper than processed foods. They're also available everywhere.

Benefits Of Organic Foods

• Organic food benefits the environment. Organic farms do not produce pesticides or fertilizer run-off, which often can end up in rivers, lakes or streams. These chemicals could containment drinking water and destroy habitats. Research has shown that certain pesticides are toxic and can lead to health problems such as Parkinson's disease, cancer, reproductive disorders and respiratory problems.
• One of the goals of organically grown and produced foods are to encourage environmentally friendly farming and growth practices, cycling of natural resources, and growing food without the need for harsh pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
• The Annals of Internal Medicine summary concluded that organic foods have no substantial vitamin or mineral advantage over foods that are conventionally grown. It stated that there is no strong evidence to prove that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Organic produce contains fewer pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. These chemicals are widely used in conventional agriculture and residues remain on (and in) the food we eat.
• Organic food is often fresher. Fresh food tastes better. Organic food is usually fresher because it doesn’t contain preservatives that make it last longer.
• Organic food is GMO-free. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding, most commonly in order to be resistant to pesticides or produce an insecticide. In most countries, organic crops contain no GMOs and organic meat comes from animals raised on organic, GMO-free feed.
• Organic foods are expensive than whole and conventional foods. Part of it is a matter of supply and demand, and part of it is that organic produce, meat, and dairy often require more money to grow than conventional goods.

Conclusion
Whether you want to buy organic foods or whole foods over conventional depends entirely on you, your budget, and what you expect to get out of those foods. If the reason you've been buying organic or whole food for is nutritional purpose, then there's no reason to continue. However, if you've been buying them because they're "better for you" in terms of chemical pesticides or growth hormones or antibiotics, you'll definitely be getting food with lower levels.