Living a 'Natural' and 'Organic' Life (Part 1)

In a three-part series, the Early Show delves into a booming consumer trend: people living a natural and organic lifestyle. Maria Rodale is the founding editor of the new magazine Organic Style and she talked about natural and organic foods on the Early Show.

Natural/organic food stores were once only the grocery stores used by health-conscious hippies who couldn't eat enough wheat germ and granola. But in recent years, hippies have had to make way in the grocery aisles for the next generation of natural/organic food consumers: baby boomers and generation X-ers.

Most boomers are choosing to eat healthier as they try to fight or slow down the aging process, while generation X-ers have spent years listening to news about the dangers of chemicals and pesticides found in mass-processed foods. As a result, the natural/organic food industry is booming.

Natural food stores were once small, poorly lit, with minimal stock. They have been replaced by spacious supermarkets that either carry only organic goods or both organic and conventional products. For the novice shopper, the terms "organic" and "natural" may imply the same thing. But they are not.

Rodale is also the author of Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening: Your Seasonal Companion to Creating a Beautiful and Delicious Garden and Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening Companion . She is the granddaughter of J.I. Rodale, who helped popularize the word "organic" in 1942.

The labels "natural" and "organic" are different. What is the definition of each?

"Organic" is very specific. There are no chemical pesticides or no residue in the foods. It is regulated by the government and certified organically grown. "Natural" is more of a marketing term, there is no standard, but it implies from nature. It does not refer to the way ingredients were grown but rather to the ingredients themselves being "natural."

If you hear the word "natural" you automatically think healthy. Does this mean every product labeled "natural" is healthy?

"Not everything labeled organic and natural is healthy. Organic butter is still butter. If you have to eat butter then eat organic butter, the best and purest. So you need to balance what you eat. You should always read the labels on products. If something is labeled "natural" it doesn’t mean that everything in it is 100% natura.l"

What should a consumer look for when shopping for organic and natural foods to make sure that they are getting the healthiest products available?

"They should look for the least amount of ingredients on the the product. They should look for fresh and unprocessed ingredients. Pronounceable words are always good. If there is anything on the label you don't understand then you might want to do more research to see if you want to eat it or not."

Organic and natural foods can cost up to 20% more han conventional foods. Why is it so much more expensive and do you see the cost coming down?

"Organic foods cost more, because it is the real cost of real food. There is not a lot of price pressure with organic farmers since they are only making enough to make a living. Unfortunately for the small farmer the cost will come down. As organic foods become more popular, larger farmers start to grow organic foods, making it harder for the smaller farmers to compete."

If someone is planning on making the transition to natural/organic foods, what is the best way to do it?

"Start with fresh produce and then the staple products--flour, sugar, eggs. Try organic snack foods, prepared dinners. If you can't get it at your local store, ask for it and they get it for you."

If someone doesn’t have access to a local natural food market, what’s the next best way to get natural and organic foods other than growing them yourself?

"There are a ouple of Web sites that lists organic sites who deliver all over the United States."

For more information about organic products, visit:

• Whole Foods Market
  
• Organic Style
  
• Organic Trade Association
  
• Organic Farming Research Association
  
• USDA's national organic program