Organic vs Natural + ready made foods

[HannahHMT]

Firstly I've been wanting to know- what really is the difference between organic and natural ingredients?? Organic is usually more expensive but does that mean it's any better or safer to give my child?

Up until recently i've been only ever making food from home for my DD but i'm due to return to work soon so have been trying out some of the ready made meals as I know i'm going to struggle to find time to make everything from scratch! I've tried a couple from the Ella's Kitchen range and also Plum Organics as these all seem to have no additives but just because something is 'organic' does that mean it's natural and does that mean it's safe and healthy? Won't all the nutrients be lost in processed foods?

Can anyone recommend any other products they use? I don't mind paying a bit more if it's means the food i'm giving my dd is safe and nutritious.

Thanks guys!

Organic means that no pesticides (except for one or two 'natural' ones used if absolutely necessary) have been used in the growing of produce and no artificial fertilisers have been used.

Organic meat/poultry comes from animals that have been reared on organic land and not been given antibiotics or growth hormones. Their welfare conditions are often better - have to be free-range for example.

Organic milk has been shown to have a higher level of essential fatty acids in it. Some of the cathedral (music) schools urge their male choristers to avoid non-organic dairy produce as they think that puberty is reached at a younger age when large amounts of non-organic dairy are eaten.

Natural doesn't actually mean anything but is used to mean that the product doesn't have artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers etc. Like organic - they can still have large amounts of salt and sugar though.