What is the Difference between Organic & Non-Organic Food?

One of the dilemmas parents face when introducing solids is whether to use fresh organic baby food or just opt for the non-organic version. While there is no clear-cut verdict on one over the other, we will try in this post to simplify the differences. What is the meaning of Organic? Organic products are grown or farmed in controlled environments without the use of chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). Watch Out: Do not mix up the terms natural and organic, as they are two different things. Products can still be grown naturally using the allowed levels of chemical fertilizers and pesticides yet not fitting the broader definition of “organic produce”. Simple Guide: To make your life simpler, we have created a simple chart that compares both options on 5 key metrics (based on our experience). This way you can way your options and build your own priority list:

	Organic		Non-Organic
1. Nutrition	Low	High	Low	High
2. Taste	Low	High	Low	High
3. Chemical Fertilizers/Pesticides	Low	High	Low	High
4. Environmental Effect	Low	High	Low	High
5. Cost	Low	High	Low	High

As you can see, while taste and nutritional values are comparable, the main difference lies in the chemical additives to the fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farms use natural fertilizers (environmentally friendly) and more than often limit the use of pesticides and herbicides. This is why you might have noticed that the look of organic produce may be less appealing than the shinier versions of their cousins 😊! Also, since organic farms require higher maintenance and yield less volume of produce, the price of the end product is significantly higher reaching up to three times that of the conventional produce. Tips:

• Avoid imported produce as much as possible
• Shop fruits and vegetables within their season
• Strike a balance between both options whenever possible

BabyEats: Whatever your decision is, just know that we got you covered at BabyEats. Described as the best baby meal delivery service in UAE (don’t take my words, check our testimonials section 😊😊), we provide baby food meal subscription plans starting at the early age of 6 months,. We provide organic and non-organic plans but guarantee freshness for both options with no addition of preservatives, salt or processed sugars! Reviewed by Dr. Rouba Abdennour, MD, Specialist in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Licensed in Dubai (July 12, 2020) Disclaimer: The content on www.babyeats.ae is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician with any questions you may have regarding your baby’s health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on www.babyeats.ae . BabyEats does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on www.babyeats.ae . Reliance on any information provided by www.babyeats.ae , BabyEats employees, writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to BabyEats (www.babyeats.ae ) is solely at your own risk.