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Step 1
Recognize labels. Food labels are misleading and difficult to decipher. If it says 100 percent organic with a green-and-white circular label then the food has been grown and harvested without chemicals, pesticides or antibiotics and meets the FDA guidelines.
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Step 2
Look for USDA approval. If the word organic is on the label without the USDA approval stamp or 100 percent organic listed anywhere, then the food is made with a minimum of 70 percent organic ingredients.
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Step 3
Watch for foods that fall within the guidelines, but are still not 100 percent organic. If the item says, "in conversion" on it, then the food was grown in soil that was prepped for two years to meet the standards for organic. All 100 percent organic food is grown is soil that has been prepped for at least three years.
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Step 4
Aim for organic, not natural. If you are looking for all organic food, 100 percent natural may not be 100 percent organic. USDA defines natural as being minimally processed and free of synthetic ingredients.
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Step 5
Shop for milk that is made without added hormones or antibiotics. Avoid milk made with rBGH (bovine growth hormone). This is an ingredient that has been accused of causing various health problems, such as breast cancer and early puberty.
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Step 6
Check the meat labels. Look for meats which have no artificial hormones or antibiotics or even grass fed. Some meats are labeled as "enhanced" or "marinated." This is usually done in salt water and is very high in sodium.
