Once a buzzword seen mostly in specialty health stores, organic foods are becoming increasingly common in mainstream grocery aisles as people place more value on healthy and sustainable living. The benefits of eating organic and all-natural foods are great, so much so that many consumers are choosing these options despite a higher price point—because they know how healthy organic eating is!
Here at Dr. Jen’s, we believe in the principle of caring about the kind of food you put into your body. We actively work to improve our health, which is why we provide high-quality, delicious protein bars made with organic ingredients.
The Definition of “Organic”
The “organic” label refers to the way that a food is developed, grown, and processed before it reaches supermarket shelves and can apply to both produce and meat. Many farmers adopt organic growing methods to reduce pollution, improve sustainability, and create a healthier environment for livestock such as cows, chickens, and pigs to live in. Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, harsh chemical pesticides, and antibiotics or growth hormones that artificially affect livestock growth cycles.
Instead of these harmful practices, organic farming methods include using plant waste as eco-friendly manure, mulch rather than chemicals to control weeds, and natural pest control methods. Organic farms also give livestock access to the outdoors and pasture feeding, ensure proper vaccination, and feed organic foods to the animals.
How to Tell If a Food Is Organic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is primarily responsible for regulating organic foods, along with several other oversight organizations. The department has established a certification program that regulates the type of labels that food growers and manufacturers are allowed to place on their products and what those labels mean.
Some of the most common “organic” food labels include:
- 100% Organic: Used for single-ingredient foods (such as fruits and vegetables) that are organic or multi-ingredient foods where all ingredients (except water and salt) are also 100% organic
- Organic: Used for multi-ingredient foods where 95% or more of the ingredients are certified organic, and non-organic ingredients are on an approved list
- Made with Organic: Used for multi-ingredient foods where 70% or more of the ingredients are certified organic
- Organic Ingredients: Used for multi-ingredient foods where less than 70% of ingredients are certified organic; no seal is available, but individual ingredients can be listed as organic
Benefits of Choosing Organic Foods
Many people choose to eat organic food because of:
- Fewer pesticides. To be certified organic, a food has to have much lower detectable levels of pesticides and chemicals than are found in non-organic crops. This is good news since it means fewer chemicals are entering our bodies.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Organic meat, dairy, and eggs are more likely to have omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that’s much better for heart health.
- No toxic metals. Some toxic metals such as cadmium may be less present in organic grains, possibly because organic farming doesn’t use synthetic pesticides. As with chemical pesticides, we want to keep these metals out of our bodies whenever possible.
Choose Dr. Jen’s Best Organic Protein Bars
If you’re looking for healthy, all-natural protein bars made with organic ingredients, try Dr. Jen’s. Our gluten-free protein bars are loaded with natural superfoods like kale, spinach, quinoa, blueberries, peanuts, and bananas. Every ingredient we use in our recipes is organic or all-natural and chosen with care. Our healthy protein bars deliver a delicious taste combined with the health benefits your body needs to stay strong, healthy, and energized. Browse our available flavors and feel free to contact us with any questions.