Organic food is often an option seen on many grocery store shelves, but why do people choose it over conventional products, and what are its health benefits?

There are many ways that organic foods can benefit your health. They are produced naturally with no artificial chemicals and pesticides; they don’t carry the heightened risk of health problems or allergic reactions that could occur when consuming traditionally grown produce. Not to mention, they taste great, too!

Eden Foods discusses more about the benefits of organic foods below.

What is Organic Food

Organic foods are produced, manufactured, and processed without the use of any pesticides, GMOs, artificial preservatives or chemical fertilizers. In the case of animal products, there are no hormones or antibiotics given to the livestock.

When it is processed and packaged, the food also needs to be free of any additives such as coloring, flavoring, and artificial enhancers like synthetic sweeteners or MSG.

Organic Foods Don’t Have Harsh Chemicals

Although the effects aren’t immediately felt when consumed, trace amounts of the chemicals that go into non-organic food production are ingested into our bodies and build up to troublesome levels over time.

This can then lead to chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular and neurological problems. Some preservatives and colorings can also cause allergic reactions or increase the risk of developing cancer.

By eating organic foods, this potential danger is mitigated, as they cannot contain these chemicals in the first place.

Organics are Great for the Environment

As they are not grown with heavy chemicals, organic food lacks that negative impact on the environment. Pesticides and other pollutants can’t leech into the soil and run into waterways, spreading across wide areas.

Animals used in the production of food also benefit from organic practices, as they aren’t subjected to growth hormones or antibiotics whilst being raised and looked after.

Eating Organic Can Aid Healthy Weight Management

Studies have shown that organic foods can decrease the likelihood of obesity. This is likely due to the fact that they contain higher levels of nutrients, and that they are often smaller than non-organic produce, leading to a lower calorie intake.

Organic has Better Quality and Taste

Some people also report that organic food simply tastes better! As organic foods are produced using natural methods, and with higher quality feed and materials, the taste is as natural as it can possibly be without any synthetic enhancements.

The soil used in organic farming is often much richer in minerals and nutrients, which transfers into the produce as it grows, allowing consumers to reap the benefits not only for their health, but for the flavor as well.

They Are Nutrient-Rich

Organic foods may have a higher price tag, but the trade-off for this is that the U.S. Soil Association has demonstrated that organic fruits and vegetables have much higher vitamin and mineral content than conventional products.

This means that while consumers may pay more for these items, they are getting many more nutritional benefits from the food, including a higher quantity of antioxidants that help to fight off certain cancers.

Going Organic

For anyone considering making the transition to organic produce, a good place to start is to find out what is in season. In-season fruits and veggies are going to be the freshest, with the best positive impact on one’s diet when it comes to the nutrients that they provide.

It’s the time of year when warming comfort foods are the best remedy for the cold winter months. Some of the best organic recipes make use of in-season vegetables, such as kale, leeks, parsnips, carrots, and cabbage. For a lighter dish, a hearty organic vegetable soup can sooth the soul. Stews, savory pies, and roasted veggies also make for a great family dinner.

Below, Eden Foods reviews some of the best organic dishes for cold weather dining.

Vegetable and Bean Cottage Pie

A meatless alternative to a comfort food classic, switching out the filling of this dish for a mixture of vegetables and beans in a tomato-based sauce still makes it a winner. The fluffy mashed potatoes on top add a nice crunch if placed under the broiler before serving.

Try using butter, cannellini, or pinto beans, otherwise, a tin of mixed beans also works well. Organic carrots, peas, and onions are also a great addition as the veggie element for the filling.

Winter Vegetable Soup

A soup is a great way to make use of any spare vegetables that may go to waste. With a flavorful stock, rich vegetables, and spices there is no better winter warmer. In-season organic carrots and parsnips can add sweetness, with cabbage, potatoes, and celery working perfectly to bulk things out and add depth of flavor.

Winter vegetable soup once made can also be stored in the fridge and reheated when needed, or frozen in batches to last the entire season.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Spice can be the warmth you need after coming in from a long day in the snow, so making a winter chili is a great call. With filling of sweet potato, creamy black beans that soak up the spicy sauce flavors, zingy tomatoes, and other veggies like celery and bell peppers, it can easily become a firm family favorite.

For extra protein, tofu can be added, or it does just as well without.

Roasted Pumpkin and Lentil Salad

Food doesn’t have to be hot to still be great to eat during cold weather. Roasting pumpkin brings out the flavors and creates a great texture for this dish. This can then be tossed with lentils and a zesty and warming dressing with lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard.

Cranberry and Orange Upside-Down Cake

When it comes to desserts, no two fruits work better together than sharp cranberries and zesty oranges or clementines for a cold weather treat.

Creating an upside-down cake by cooking down the cranberries in sugar to make a syrup at the bottom of the cake pan rather than incorporating them into the batter leads to a sweet, sticky, and flavorful topping once turned out. This also helps to create a light sponge which can be a great alternative for people that might not like heavier fruit cakes.

Other Winter Inspiration

There are many other dishes out there that make great use of organic, seasonal ingredients to brighten up any winter day. Consider looking for a recipe or serving ideas on the packaging of your organic products or speak with the local produce store for their recommendations on how to make the best of winter fruits and vegetables.

Producers such as Eden Foods, reported an increase in sales of organic products since the pandemic began. Others, such as General Mills, also saw a jump in organic product sales.

A focus on health and wellness overall has made going organic more popular than ever. And while the organic food market has been steadily growing since 2008, it has accelerated in recent years. Organic sales hit a record $57.5 billion in 2021.

Organic shopping has gone mainstream, and below, Eden Foods reviews why.

More Awareness and Availability

With more organic products incorporated into traditional and specialized grocery stores, more people are seeking out information on their benefits.

Despite costing an average of 20% more than non-organics, organic foods are seen as a vital part of a healthy diet since they avoid pesticides as well as potentially harmful preservatives.

A basic part of rising organic popularity is that it has become a common sight on the shelves, withhttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/organic-agriculture.aspx 88% of organic sales coming from conventional supermarkets.

Environmental Concerns

As the climate crisis continues, many see organic foods as part of the solution. In general, organic produce comes from healthier soil not damaged by synthetic fertilizers that contaminate the earth.

High-quality soil contributes heavily to cleaner water, fresher air, and more diverse landscapes and wildlife. Organic products also require less energy during production and maintain much of their biological quality even when stored for a long time.

The bottom line is that anything organic does not contribute to pollution and since 30% of all landfill waste now includes organic waste, the earth’s soil is becoming more enriched and healthier.

It’s also a comparatively affordable way to help the environment.

Willingness to Pay More

Though most organic food is sold in mainstream big-box stores and grocery chains, they maintain the same high price tag they had when contained solely in health-food stores. That seems to be OK to consumers, who research suggests are fine with paying a bit more if there are health benefits for them and their families.

Perceived Better Taste

Especially when it comes to produce, people are looking for fresh taste and long-lasting flavor. Organic tomatoes, lettuce, and fruit are seen as being a better fit for a healthy lifestyle, especially if they are GMO-free and are “clean.”

That’s what also drives people to eat more locally, and many local farms specialize in organic produce.

It Supports the Health of Farmers

Agrochemicals are increasingly shown to have a negative impact on the health of farmers, with conditions ranging from skin issues to even some cancers.

And while organic farming is an expensive process, consumers demanding organic products help support farmers committed to healthy lifestyles and protecting the planet for the long term.

Organic foods are an essential choice for a healthy lifestyle. With the demand for organic foods increasing every day, are we about to have even more choice in our organic menu?

According to a recent study, the total revenue expectation for the organic food market is set to reach nearly $500 billion by 2030. That’s more than a 12% compound increase year over year. These numbers are a direct result of the increased popularity of the vegan diet as well as enhanced knowledge of the health benefits associated with organic foods.

There’s no doubt that organic foods are more in demand now than ever before. Below, Eden Foods explains more on why people want organic food and just how much the market has grown – and will continue to grow – because of those benefits.

Why More People Want Organic Food

There are a few factors to explore when looking at the increased demand for organic foods. The primary driving forces behind the expanding organic food market are the vegan diet, or plant-based diet, with health consciousness coming in a close second. Concern for the environment is also a common theme.

Vegan Diet

The vegan diet prioritizes organic, plant-based alternatives to the standard meat and dairy products we consume. Since those following this diet rely heavily on fruits and vegetables and are invested in a healthier lifestyle, they typically also demand organic products.

Health Consciousness

More generally, organic foods are becoming more popular as the general public learns more about the dangers of chemically produced food. Since organic foods are made without any preservatives, chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers, it is safer and healthier for the body.

Environmental Concerns

Many people who choose organic products over non-organic options do so out of concern for the environment. Many of the chemicals used in modern farming practices are harmful to the soil, groundwater, and wildlife. Beyond this, organic farming practices improve the biodiversity of the land, which only serves to protect our farming future.

The Demand for Organic Food Increasing Rapidly

The demand for organic food is increasing exponentially. The market is projected to increase by 278% from 2021 to 2030 according to a new study. From 2021 to 2022 alone, the global organic food market saw an annual increase of 14% according to another report. Further, with the demand for organic plant-based products increasing fivefold over the next 8 years, this trend is sure to continue.

In fact, the increased sale of organic foods in grocery stores across North America is now threatening smaller wellness shops. This is because supermarkets offer a much wider variety of organic food options compared to ten years ago, and they’re usually more affordable.

Final Thoughts

The overarching trend here is that people want to lead healthier lives, and this directly translates to consuming healthier, safer, organic food products. On a broader scale, things like improved living standards, increasing salaries, and significant advertisement and campaigning for organic lifestyles also contribute to a higher demand.

Snacks are never just snacks at Eden Foods. And it has always been that way.

Since opening in 1968, healthy, organic, and natural foods haven’t just been on the Eden’s menu — they’ve been the menu. The original business, Eden Deli, was among just a handful of places in America to find macrobiotic and organic food.

Eden Foods reviews that their roots are still reflected today. For more than 50 years, it has been a leader in the American market for macrobiotic Japanese food.

Today, much of their product line is sold in natural food stores and co-ops similar to the first Eden Foods store. And the company continues to take healthy food to the next level.

Elevated Snacks

Americans don’t just like popcorn — they love it.

Consistently rated as the nation’s most favorite snack, popcorn is high in whole grain-derived natural fiber. At most processing companies, it can also be unhealthy, high in fat from butter, and loaded with salt. Popcorn at Eden is different.

The organic yellow popcorn seeds yield large kernels that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber. It’s a smart alternative to snacks that are traditionally bursting with sodium.

Popcorn is just part of the lineup that is a game-changer in the snack food industry. And it’s a huge industry. According to the NPD group, Americans eat around 386 billion snacks a year and 95% of adults in the U.S. say they eat at least one snack a day.

For many, snacks have become meals, taking the place of breakfast, lunch, or dinner instead of having a place between them. And Americans are now craving healthy snacks, with younger generations increasingly demanding more organic snack options, snacks like Eden Foods have long produced.

The Natural Way

Today, the company stands proudly by its unique and beneficial snack food line that’s an antidote for junk food and empty calories.

In Eden Foods’ hands, all snacks are high in protein, vitamins, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. They are all also notable for what they don’t have. All of the snacks are low in sodium and devoid of harmful additives, bad fats, and refined sugar.

Their snacks reflect a sea change in consumer snacking tastes. The snacks include handpicked and dried tar cherries, wild blueberries, and dried cranberries.

There’s a popular line of nourishing and filling seeds and nuts, from tamari roasted almonds and shelled pistachios to spicy pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

There are even more inventive fruit-snacking options, including three flavors of inventive seed, dried fruit, and nut mixes: quiet moon, wild berry, and spicy berry. Fruit snack lovers can find raisins as well as dried apples, apricots, and mango slices.

For those who like to snack on the go — and who doesn’t? — Eden thoughtfully offers both 1 oz. and 4 oz. pouches, in addition to 1 lb. and 10 lb. bags.

And, they offer products such as apple sauce and cinnamon muesli cereal, as well as different types of mochi. Because why should enjoying snack foods be limited to snack time?

Whole grains — grains free from synthetic genetic change like wild rice, millet, buckwheat, rye, amaranth, einkorn, barley, emmer, and more — are largely forgotten in modern times. Today’s food industry is monopolized by hybrid corn and wheat crops. But Eden Foods reviews that ancient grains are far more delicious, strengthening, and nutritious.

Whole grains are at the heart of human nourishment. Unfortunately, they’ve been ignored as food tycoons wrestle for easy profits with synthetically altered varieties.

As a society, people have forgotten to prioritize health.

Whole Grains vs Refined Grains

Most whole grains are free from gluten. And even those containing gluten are more easily digestible and water-soluble. They’re a complete, optimally balanced food containing perfect nutrient amounts.
During the manufacturing process of refined grains, most of the nourishment is removed and fed to animals, leaving people to feast on the empty carbohydrates.

Commercially, even “whole grains” go through a complete disassembly-reassembly process in today’s world! The result? Deviations from the original grain that do not provide the nutrients needed by humans yet products that are still accepted as “whole grain” on the shelves.

The Global Deterioration of Whole Grains

Worldwide, dietary deficiencies have caused the ever-growing epidemic of health concerns. And the experts at Eden Foods believe it’s primarily to do with the commercial deterioration of whole grains.
Following a plethora of studies, the U.S. government and medical establishments are finally realizing the irrefutable role that true whole grains play in health improvements and maintenance.

Researchers at USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University found whole grains regulate blood sugar, minimize feelings of hunger, and aid weight control.

Three or more servings of whole grains daily can decrease people’s chances of suffering from metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by high blood pressure, ineffective blood sugar, high blood fats, low HDL cholesterol, and abdominal weight gain.

Every reputable dietary and food-focused organization understands the benefits of whole grains, including the FDA and USDA’s Dietary Guidelines!

And luckily, as time goes on, more people are becoming increasingly conscious about their mental wellness and physical health, sparking a move back to whole grains and organic, plant-based diets. However, people are finding it hard to do that as industrial titans continue to thwart societal efforts.

Revitalizing the Market Through Whole Grain Cereals and Flours

Thankfully, Eden Foods is beginning to gain traction through its continued advocacy for genuine whole grains. The company works tirelessly to provide real, organic whole grains, cereals, and flours that taste great and come from sustainable, local sources.

By ensuring optimum nutrition in every product, they’re giving customers the phytonutrients their bodies need, such as:

• Fatty acids
• Polyphenols
• Minerals
• Antioxidants
• B vitamins

Eden’s whole grains and cereals are satisfying, filling, yet complete and nutritional meals perfect for bread dough, stews, vegetables, casseroles, and more.

The organic food company’s commitment to human health instead of outrageous profit margins is the mindset shift necessary to restore humanity’s nutrition.

Fermented foods are having a moment – fermented food consumption increased 149% in 2018. From kimchi to kombucha to miso paste, consumers are demanding more fermentation in their lives.

While fermented foods do take some getting used to, there are numerous benefits of fermented foods, which have become public knowledge within the last decade or so. Eden Foods reviews more about the benefits of fermented foods below.

The Fermentation Process

Fermentation has been around since humans started preserving the milk of animals (around 10,000 BC). When put in the right climate, milk ferments and becomes yogurt, which was first documented in North Africa. Historians have also found evidence of fermentation from neolithic China and ancient Egypt.

What exactly is fermentation though? According to Eden Foods, fermentation is the “transformation and preservation of food by bacteria.” When certain conditions are met (such as temperature and light), it kickstarts a bacterial reaction that results in the fermentation of food.

Beneficial For Human Gut Bacteria

One of the biggest, and most talked about, benefits of fermented food are the benefits to the human gut biome. The stomach is an amazing organ and contains ten times more bacteria than the number of human cells.

The stomach bacteria work to break down food, process the nutrients, and discard any unnecessary materials. Fermented foods provide some important bacteria that help with these processes.

Probiotics

Many products nowadays are labeled as probiotic, but it is more than just a buzzword. They provide microorganisms that benefit gut health. When consumed, probiotics help digest food and destroy bad bacteria. They are similar to the bacteria that can already be found in the gut, so they work together well.

There have been some studies that show that probiotics can influence the immune system and actually help fend off disease. There is no definitive proof of this but it’s exciting as more research is being done.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are food compounds that help the beneficial gut bacteria multiply. They are made up of fructans, galatans, inulins, and other helpful materials. Prebiotics do not break down while going through the intestines, so they end up fermenting in the large intestine. While this might sound harmful, it actually provides fuel for beneficial bacteria.

One benefit that has become more popularized in recent years is that prebiotics increases the feeling of fullness and is good for weight management. Some popular prebiotics include garlic, onions, asparagus, and bananas.

Counteract Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used by many medical professionals to treat bacterial infections. The issue? Antibiotics ravage the gut biome and can cause serious damage to the beneficial bacteria. Eating more fermented foods can help build back the bacteria and counteract the harmful effects of antibiotics.

Assists With Vitamin Production

Another benefit of eating more fermented foods is that it helps with the production of certain vitamins. All human bodies need specific vitamins to function normally and sometimes it’s hard to get them with just food alone, especially for people that are vegetarians or vegans.

Fermented foods can help synthesize a lot of the B vitamins, including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and vitamin K.