terms
natural
and
unnatural
require a little explanation—many labels tout a food product as “natural,” a claim that can mean anything the seller wants it to. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t strictly define or regulate the use of the word in food labeling except in the category of meat. When you buy a tub of “all-natural” yogurt, it may legally contain toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, and growth hormones. On the other hand, the legal standards for foods labeled “organic” in the United States are under federal regulations (although there are perennial complaints that inspections tend to be haphazard and loose). In general, choosing fresh organic foods will ensure that you are getting products with the highest levels of purity and vitality.
Natural vs. Organic
Toxic persistent pesticides and herbicides
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
GMOs
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Antibiotics
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Growth hormones
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Irradiation
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Animal-welfare regulations
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Lower levels of environmental pollution
Natural
Not necessarily
Organic
Yes
Audit trail from farm to table
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Certification required, including regular inspections
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Cows required to be on pasture for pasture season
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Legal restrictions on materials allowed
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Chart adapted from www.stonyfield.com/why-organic/organic-vs-natural
The following chart handily summarizes what we’ve just discussed.
Eliminate
Frozen foods
Favor
Recently harvested foods, whenever possible
Eliminate
Leftover foods
Favor
Freshly prepared foods
Eliminate
Artificial colorings, flavorings, and additives
Favor
All-natural ingredients
Eliminate
Microwaved foods
Favor
Conventionally prepared foods
Eliminate
Canned foods
Favor
Fresh foods, when possible
Eliminate
Refined and processed foods
Favor
Fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
Eliminate
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Favor
Food that hasn’t been genetically modified
Mindful-Eating Meditation
To receive the full benefits from the food you eat, your mind must come into play. Hasty, thoughtless eating is unsatisfying, while putting your attention on every bite—mindful eating—is the way to gain real satisfaction. Chewing a single bite of food with total focus is miles away from gulping it down. Some people are amazed at what they’ve been missing.
The following meditation uses the power of attention to improve digestion and metabolism along with the whole sensory experience.It should be done when you are eating alone and undistracted. The technique involves slowing down and deliberately intending every movement.
1. Begin by looking at your food and taking it in visually.
2. Become aware of the food’s aroma; savor it for a moment.
3. When you taste each bite, intend to taste it fully, without distractions. See which tastes you can identify, using the six Ayurvedic tastes (discussed on this page – this page ) as your guide. Appreciate the texture of each bite as you chew.
This exercise in mindful eating sharpens your awareness; it’s not meant as a continual practice. By eating even just one or two meals a week this way, you can gradually transform your relationship with food, achieving a new level of complete nutrition.
A Word About Inflammation
Recent medical research has focused on inflammation as a major contributor to many kinds of disorders, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. It has long been realized that inflammation is hard to understand, because it is at once a completely necessary process and yet a damaging one. Acute inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury or attack by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When you
natural
and
unnatural
require a little explanation—many labels tout a food product as “natural,” a claim that can mean anything the seller wants it to. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t strictly define or regulate the use of the word in food labeling except in the category of meat. When you buy a tub of “all-natural” yogurt, it may legally contain toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, and growth hormones. On the other hand, the legal standards for foods labeled “organic” in the United States are under federal regulations (although there are perennial complaints that inspections tend to be haphazard and loose). In general, choosing fresh organic foods will ensure that you are getting products with the highest levels of purity and vitality.
Natural vs. Organic
Toxic persistent pesticides and herbicides
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
GMOs
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Antibiotics
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Growth hormones
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Irradiation
Natural
Allowed
Organic
Not allowed
Animal-welfare regulations
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Lower levels of environmental pollution
Natural
Not necessarily
Organic
Yes
Audit trail from farm to table
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Certification required, including regular inspections
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Cows required to be on pasture for pasture season
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Legal restrictions on materials allowed
Natural
No
Organic
Yes
Chart adapted from www.stonyfield.com/why-organic/organic-vs-natural
The following chart handily summarizes what we’ve just discussed.
Eliminate
Frozen foods
Favor
Recently harvested foods, whenever possible
Eliminate
Leftover foods
Favor
Freshly prepared foods
Eliminate
Artificial colorings, flavorings, and additives
Favor
All-natural ingredients
Eliminate
Microwaved foods
Favor
Conventionally prepared foods
Eliminate
Canned foods
Favor
Fresh foods, when possible
Eliminate
Refined and processed foods
Favor
Fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
Eliminate
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Favor
Food that hasn’t been genetically modified
Mindful-Eating Meditation
To receive the full benefits from the food you eat, your mind must come into play. Hasty, thoughtless eating is unsatisfying, while putting your attention on every bite—mindful eating—is the way to gain real satisfaction. Chewing a single bite of food with total focus is miles away from gulping it down. Some people are amazed at what they’ve been missing.
The following meditation uses the power of attention to improve digestion and metabolism along with the whole sensory experience.It should be done when you are eating alone and undistracted. The technique involves slowing down and deliberately intending every movement.
1. Begin by looking at your food and taking it in visually.
2. Become aware of the food’s aroma; savor it for a moment.
3. When you taste each bite, intend to taste it fully, without distractions. See which tastes you can identify, using the six Ayurvedic tastes (discussed on this page – this page ) as your guide. Appreciate the texture of each bite as you chew.
This exercise in mindful eating sharpens your awareness; it’s not meant as a continual practice. By eating even just one or two meals a week this way, you can gradually transform your relationship with food, achieving a new level of complete nutrition.
A Word About Inflammation
Recent medical research has focused on inflammation as a major contributor to many kinds of disorders, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. It has long been realized that inflammation is hard to understand, because it is at once a completely necessary process and yet a damaging one. Acute inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury or attack by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When you
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