What is the difference between Organic and Non-GMO? We see the labels often but many of us have no idea what they mean, what they are and aren't, if they’re as healthy as people say, if they’re worth the extra $$$ or if it’s all simply a gimmick.
The Difference Between Organic & Non-GMO
One of the most rewarding responsibilities we have as mothers, wives, and homemakers is being the nourishers of our households.
To nourish is to provide food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. And as nourishers, we feed our family's minds, bodies, and souls.
As a young mother, I didn’t realize how important it was to provide this nourishment to my family, because it wasn’t something I had ever learned. To me, food was simply food.
The reality, however, is that what you feed your family is the foundation of their overall well-being. Their diet makes a difference in the quality of their mood, energy levels, patience, sleep, behavior, growth, etc.
With this in mind, we should be mindful, knowledgeable, and intentional regarding what our families consume, as it sets the tone for the quality of the home.
I wanted to share what I've learned over the past few years so that you can make the most informed decisions on how to go about shopping for and feeding your families without feeling overwhelmed.
So, let's get into it.
So, What is Organic?
Organic refers to how food & animals are grown, harvested, raised, and processed in farming.
For a product to be Certified Organic, the following requirements have to be met by farmers:
- No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used during the growing, harvesting, and production process. Instead, all-natural and organic fertilizers and pesticides are used.
- No sewage sludge is permitted for use as a fertilizer (yes, I said sewage sludge)
- Nothing was exposed to radiation (some manufacturers use radiation to sterilize food.)
- No chemical additives
- No genetic engineering (Non-GMO).
- Industrial solvents are not used at any point.
- No antibiotics or hormones are used in meat. And animals must be given organic feed and allowed time to roam outside.
Are There Benefits to Eating Organic?
Yes, 100% YES! Buying and eating Organic:
- Lower levels of toxic metals in the body than in conventional foods.
- No antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics in plants and animals remain until they reach your plate. Overtime these antibiotics build up in your system, creating a antibiotic resistance within your body.
- Organic produce contains higher levels of antioxidants
- Contain higher levels of Omega-3s in meats
- Some foods have a clear flavor profile difference, making them taste better.
- Organic farming helps to conserve soil and water.
- Creates healthy soil that produces healthy foods, resists disease, survive drought and tolerates insects.
- Better for the environment and animals than conventional farming because it uses renewable resources.
- Supports the local economy as supermarkets typically purchase organic food from local farmers.
- Produce is also fresher
- Eating organic means that you are also eating Non-GMO.
Why Is Organic Food More Expensive?
People often avoid buying organic because of their price tag compared to conventional food products. The price difference, though inconvenient, is for a good reason.
You are paying extra for quality, and with better quality comes higher prices.
It was initially difficult for me to begin this transition. Eventually I understood that I was paying for a better state of our health, so buying anything else was no longer an option. Even if I had to make major changes in our budget, paying more would be worth it.
What is Non-GMO?
GMO or Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms genetically engineered in a lab to change a living organism's genetic makeup.
This engineering is done by creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria & virus genes that do not occur naturally.
The Non-GMO label means that the Non-GMO Project has verified & tested all of the ingredients. Different points in the production line are tested to ensure the products are in fact Non-GMO.
Why are GMOs a Thing?
Crops are often engineered to withstand the spraying of herbicides, produce insecticides, or physically change their appearance. This engineering develops unnatural traits in plants or creates new plants altogether.
Before we get into why this is such a serious issue, let's discuss the difference between pesticides & herbicides.
What are Pesticides?
What are Herbicides?
Eating an organic diet can reduce the amount of pesticide residue in your body that has built up over time from your diet & your environment.
Why are GMOs So Dangerous?
As mentioned above, crops are genetically engineered to resist certain herbicides like glyphosate. Glyphosate is also known as RoundUp. And RoundUp is the worlds leading weed killer and a known carcinogen. Although considered an herbicide on the market, glyphosate is on record as an antibiotic. Yet 4.5 billion pounds are used in farming and lawn care annually.
As a result, over 80% of GMO crops are now tolerant to glyphosate spraying.
Over 90% are soybeans, and over 85% are corn. And SO much of our food, mainly processed foods, contain corn or soybeans at its base.
This is done so that the herbicides can coat the crops, killing the weeds but leaving the crops alive.
What are the Health Risks of Eating GMOs?
The same poisons toxic to plants and pests are also toxic to the humans and animals who consume them.
Since glyphosate began being marketed as an herbicide in conventional farming in the 90s, illness has increased significantly. Studies show spikes in autism in children (1:5000 in 1995 to 1:36 in 2021), Parkinson's disease in women, dementia in men, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, asthma, Crohn's disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, increases in mental health disorders, antibiotic resistance, numerous cancers, endocrine diseases, among others.
Because foreign genes are used in creating GMOs, adverse effects in humans are common.
Studies have shown that GMOs are also known to cause:
GMOs are everywhere.
When we are out and about and want to grab a quick bite to eat.
When your littles are in the school cafeteria enjoying their lunch.
Grabbing a snack at your favorite sports events, music festivals, amusement parks, airlines.
What are the Environmental Risks of GMOs?
- Bad for the soil & crops
- Overuse of herbicides resulting in extinction of wild plants on farmland.
- Creates superbugs that are resistant to insecticides
- The Mississippi River collects 80% of RoundUp that evaporates into the air we breathe and the rain, spreading throughout the country.
- Cross-contamination
Can Something be Non-GMO But Not Organic?
Yes, a Non-GMO label prohibits using certain herbicides containing GMOs. However, that does not necessarily mean that Non-GMO products must be grown organically. They may be produced using non-gmo methods. So I always recommend going Organic unless necessary to cover both bases every time.
Reading Food Labels
So you've decided that you are ready to start making changes but are unsure how to read the food labels.
When dealing with processed foods, even if a product is marked Organic & Non-GMO, that does not mean the product is healthy. Processed foods can still be high in sugars, other ingredients, and preservatives that are not good for you. So make sure to read your labels before purchasing. If you can pronounce all of the ingredients on the back and know what they are. A quick google search also does the trick.
Just because a product says organic does not mean it is 100% organic. I learned this when looking at a box of Organic toaster pastries. When on the label, I realized that only the certified organic ingredients had an (*) beside it, while the rest of the ingredients weren't organic. Keep an eye out for that.
It can seem like a lot initially, but we should all want to know what we put into our bodies; that makes it necessary. So do some research. If you see an ingredient and don't know what it is, look into its risks. Once you start doing this, it gets easier. Take it one product at a time and begin making substitutions. Sometimes that means saying goodbye to some of your favorite snacks/foods, but there are PLENTY healthy selections from which you can choose!
In everything you do, always do the very best you can! Your family will appreciate you for it!
“Identifying the problem is so much of the solution.”
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below to keep the conversation going, or feel free to email me directly!