When you are at the grocery store, do you buy any brand? Do you know if you are buying organic or non-organic? Organic food sales have increased significantly in recent years. Once only available at specialty health food stores and farmers' markets, organic foods are now becoming a more common feature in many, if not most, supermarkets. With the new choice of fresh organic fruits and vegetables, which one do you choose? On one shelf you have a conventionally grown apple and on another you have an organic apple. Both are a firm, bright red. Both can provide you with vitamins and fiber without sodium or fat. Conventionally grown produce generally costs less, but is organic more nutritious? Is it safer than processed foods? So, what does food processing mean and what are processed foods? Foods are usually processed to extend shelf life and for safety reasons. There are a multitude of different methods used to process food, including: freezing, refrigeration, canning and dehydrating. Not all processed foods are bad either. Some examples being pasteurized milk, frozen vegetables and fruit juices. Although some foods are harmless, there is a group of processed foods that can be harmful. Foods that contain additives that are very harmful to our health, such as trans fats, saturated glutamate, monosodium glutamate and massive amounts of sugar, can have serious adverse effects on the human body. Processed meats are the worst of all packaged processed foods. Regular consumption of these meats could significantly increase your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. So, what are organic foods? Foods that are produced or manufactured according to established standards to ensure that the product is more "natural" and free of artificial additives...... middle of paper ... chemicals. These animals are allowed to roam freely on farmland and also eat a completely organic diet. Conventional animal farming includes dirty, overcrowded environments, where animals are fed unclean food just to fatten them up. By simply purchasing organic items and products, you are supporting agriculture, living and producing something that is not only beneficial to yourself, but can also contribute to the future of our planet. The word organic is no longer a strange word only found in healthcare markets. As stores fill their shelves with organic alternatives to food cosmetics and cleaning products, people are gradually becoming more aware of what they are buying. Your health and well-being are entirely in your hands. Sources http://www.mayoorganic-foods-versus-processed-foods.wikispaces.com/clinic.org/ LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight and Get in Shape through diet, nutrition and fitness Tools