Maybe you are one of the many Americans who thinks, “organic products are too expensive and not really worth it.” Or maybe you buy organic milk, eggs and some produce and don’t worry much about other organic products. Maybe you buy “Natural” foods and think that’s good enough. I was once this way myself but as the owner of a beverage company that makes organic products, I’ve learned a lot about the importance of buying organic.

Here are 3 good reasons to buy organic whenever you can:
1. Organic products are free of pesticides and chemical additives. Non-organic products are packed full of chemical with questionable safety records, and sometimes are made completely from such chemicals. Even so called natural products can be loaded with chemicals that are used in growing or processing. The FDA has allowed many colorings, flavoring agents, pesticides, and processing aids to become part of our food chain, in spite of evidence that they may have seriously negative impact on our health. Children especially are vulnerable to the impact of these chemicals on the body.
2. Natural products can be very misleading. The term “All Natural” can mean just about anything and isn’t actually regulated by the FDA. Anything derived from plants, animals or elements found on planet Earth could earn the “all natural” label. The key is in understanding that it’s the process that’s unnatural, not the source. When you chemically or structurally alter food ingredients into a form that no longer appears anywhere in nature, it’s no longer natural. For example, autolyzed yeast extract is a so-called natural flavor enhancer. It is really just a form of MSG. It is found in small quantities in tomatoes, seaweed and other vegetables. But it’s refined, concentrated form can be 1000 times more concentrated than anything found in nature, and in this form it is a dangerous “excitotoxin.” Similarly high fructose corn syrup is a corn derivative that is refined to a state that is not found in nature. There is nothing wrong with eating corns, but our bodies weren’t designed to digest refined corn syrup.

3. Organic products are good for the earth. Organic farming prevents build up of pesticides in our water supply, in fields and in the atmosphere. It helps keep animals safe. Plus most organic farms follow sustainable farming practices.

In our society where abundance is all around us, where food is often wasted and where many of us eat more food than we need, why not follow the path of “less is more.” Buy fewer processed foods and when you do, make sure they are organic. These organic foods will make you feel better and they’ll help you stay healthier over the long run.

But best of all, organic foods taste really wonderful.