Sustainable consumption, environmental concerns and healthy diet trends are gaining more attention nowadays in various areas of our lives as we become more conscious about choosing the best for ourselves and the environment. As consumers, we have started to take responsibility for taking care of our environment by choosing what is best not only for ourselves but also for our families and the environment around us.

But the majority of us are still unaware of what processed and organic food is, in addition to their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the article below to gain a better understanding of the two types of food.

Processed Food

Processed food is generally grown with the help of chemicals to prevent pests on the farm, promote crop growth development, and add artificial colours and flavours to make the food stand out. Genetically engineered and artificially fertilised crops, as well as food that has been mechanically processed and preserved, all fall under the category of processed foods.

Although choosing processed food may be a more appetising and tempting alternative, it also has a number of disadvantages that can be weighed against the advantages of organic food. Let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of processed and organic food.

Advantages

1. It’s easy to prepare
You can have your food ready and packed so you don’t have to spend as much time in the kitchen when it’s time to eat. This is helpful if you have other things you need to do in your day, such as work or household chores. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about what to eat since the food is already prepared.

2. Longer shelf life
Any food that has been modified from its original state in some way, whether for convenience or safety, is referred to as "processed food." Preservatives and additives for flavour, colour, longevity, and aroma are used to extend shelf life. Additionally, some food must be processed in order to be fit for consumption, such as pressing seeds to produce oil.

3. Free from bacteria
Tinned food like canned sardines and tuna are free from bacteria. This is because they are packed in an airtight tin can that is sealed to avoid any contact with air that is abundant in bacteria. Therefore, this type of food is a healthy choice for your diet as they are devoid of any bacteria. To maintain the freshness of tinned food, avoid opening the cans and eating out of them. Also, keep them in a cool and dry place.

4.Enhance flavour and texture due to the additives
Food additives are largely used to improve food's flavour and aroma, preserve it, increase its shelf life, and give it colour. The purpose of adding these artificial or natural additions to food is to enhance or improve its flavour, texture, and appearance.

Disadvantages

1. Contains preservatives that are not good for health
Processed food contains artificial preservatives, which are actually not healthy for consumption. Preservatives are added to increase the shelf life of the product, but they may have some side effects on the health of the consumers. Certain preservatives are known to have certain side effects, and some of them can even be fatal. They also have certain health risks associated with them, and some of them can cause allergies too.

2. Less energy for digestion
Processed food requires less energy from our bodies for digestion. As a result, this will lead to the slowing down of our metabolism. Packed with dense calories within the processed food, this results in a higher calorie count than we may require in our bodies.

3. It contains ingredients that exceed our bodies’ requirements
Food that has been heavily processed frequently has high amount of added sugar, sodium, and fat. These substances enhance the flavour of the food we consume, but consuming too much of them can result in major health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.

4. Lack of Nutrients
Processed food often strips away many of the basic nutrients that the food naturally contains, which is why you'll often see them fortified with fibre, vitamins, and minerals. While there's nothing wrong with eating processed food in moderation, it's important to be aware of what you're consuming and making sure that you're getting the nutrients your body needs from other sources as well.

 All in all, it’s very important to choose wisely and read the labels before buying any processed food. That does not mean you can’t eat processed food at all; it’s just that you need to be aware of the amount you consume since processed food is high in sugar, sodium, and fat. In the long run, it is encouraged that you always try to eat organic fruits and vegetables as they are packed with antioxidants and other essential nutrients that are good for your health. Moreover, try to avoid quick-service restaurants as they serve mainly unhealthy foods, and finally, stay active and fit to live a healthy and happy life.

Organic Food

The extreme opposite of processed food would be organic food. The simplest way to distinguish between processed food and organic food is the way in which they have been cultivated, what additives are used for their growth and if they are free from any chemical substances. Additionally, because no chemicals have been used in their cultivation, the food is natural and nutrient-rich due to the fact that they are grown without the use of artificial fertilisers.

Although organic food is clearly the more wholesome option, it comes with a set of advantages and disadvantages as well. Let's take a look at them:

Advantages

1. Rich in antioxidants
Organic food is also known to contain more antioxidants than its non-organic counterparts. These nutrients are important in fighting off free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases.

 2. Grown using natural method
Organic food is often grown using sustainable methods that protect the environment. This means that they are typically lower in pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Overall, organic food offers a number of health and environmental benefits that make them worth the extra cost.

3. Reduce pollution
Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, which can pollute both our water and air. In addition, organic farmers often employ sustainable growing practices that help to conserve water and reduce soil erosion.

4. No synthetic chemicals
Organic food products have been shown to contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their conventionally-grown counterparts that contain preservatives and synthetic chemicals. These nutrients are essential for overall health and well-being and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Disadvantages

1. Shorter life span
Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. This means that organic farmers have to be extra careful about their crop rotation and soil management practices to ensure that their crops are healthy and free from pests and diseases. As a result, organic food might have a shorter shelf life than conventionally grown food.

2. Expensive and more work required of the producers
Organic food is also generally more expensive than conventionally grown food. The price of organic fruits and vegetables can be as much as 30% higher than their non-organic counterparts. This is because they require a lot of work to produce.

As organic food farmers place a strong emphasis on using natural growing techniques, more physical work is needed to get products to the market because there may be less automated procedures involved. Natural fertilisers like green manure might have to be dispersed by hand to reduce the environmental impact of a tractor and supporting machinery. Although these measures enhance the soil condition, they will also increase the price of the product that households can buy.

3. Not available at every grocery store
If you're looking for organic food, you may not always be able to find it at your nearest grocery store. While most stores are beginning to stock organic options, there are still many that don't. This can make it difficult to find the organic food you're looking for, especially if you don't live near a health food store or market. 

 But today, you don’t have to worry about this anymore as many grocery stores offer online delivery. At BELI, we provide high quality fresh organic produce straight from the farm. All orders will be delivered to your home, so you don’t have to worry anymore about the availability of organic food!