What is Natural Food? A Simple Explanation
Natural food and all-natural food are popular terms in the food industry with many differing definitions, frequently implying all foods not produced by modern industrial processing. They also imply that the processing has some impact on the nutrient value. All-natural food does contain some natural or trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes, and other naturally occurring substances. These naturally occurring substances can vary from food to food, so it’s important to read what is listed on the label. The label should list all the substances included in the food and not just a percentage of them.
Common natural food
Common natural ingredients include fruits, vegetables, grains, roots, nuts, herbs, and whole-food natural food groups such as dairy, poultry, fish, corn, rice, and beans. Some artificial ingredients may be added to products to make them more appealing, but these artificial ingredients should be avoided because they do not contribute to the nutritional content. Artificial flavors and colors, for example, do not add any value to the product other than to enhance the presentation. They have no real nutritional value and lack essential nutrients and vitamins.
The meaning of a food product having dietary fiber may vary according to the source. For example, whole-grain bread and cereals are more likely to contain dietary fiber than tortilla chips or potato chips. It’s important to understand the technical definition of dietary fiber in order to get the best value for your money. The definition of this substance is defined as “a soluble, colorless, bitter organic substance found in many plants that promotes healthy bowel motion, reduces cholesterol levels, and improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract.”
Natural sugar
One of the most confusing terms in natural food is “natural sugar.” This term refers to any sugar produced by nature, with the exception of synthesized sugar. Natural sugar is usually created by fermenting fruit or sugar cane. Synthetic sugars are man-made and are either derived from corn syrup or fructose. The difference between natural and synthetic is that natural sugars are better for our health because they are full of essential nutrients while synthetic sugars are low in nutrition.
Four major classifications that define natural food
When it comes to ingredients, there are five major classifications that define natural foods. These include milk, eggs, butter, vegetables, and fruits. Each type of ingredient is an indicator of the type of food it is. There are some vague generalizations, however, so it is difficult to state whether or not a foodstuff is natural without knowing the definition of the classification in question.
The first classification is “dietary fiber”.
In order to qualify as a dietary fiber, the substance must be made up of the same components as whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits. The second classification is “food substance with protein as an active ingredient”. In this instance, the definition is expanded to include any protein extracted from the foodstuff, whether this is a natural protein derived from chicken skin or soy.
The third classification is “chemically modified substance”.
The definition of this word suggests that the modified substance is chemically altered after it has been produced through modern methods. A chemical that has been altered by man is considered to be “artificially” produced if it meets the following criteria: it is of a plant or animal origin; it is produced by man; it has been altered in such a way that it no longer qualifies as natural food. This includes the case of food additives that have been added to foods without a veterinarian’s prescription. Any food that meets these conditions is considered to be naturally manufactured.
The fourth classification is “nutrient-rich substance”.
The definition here refers to those substances that provide complete energy or the primary nutrients required for the human body. Natural is always implied when discussing this term, as processed and chemically enhanced foods do not fall under this definition.
