It may have happened by accident, only realizing the mistake at the check out when a pound of bananas rings up at $3.00 a pound, or it may have been a thought through decision, but do foods labeled as organic provide superior benefits that justify the higher prices? This is a good question, one that faces many concerned parents, and people trying to lose weight.

The organic market grows by approximately 30% every year and the United States accounts for almost half of the $36 billion spent globally on organic products. It seems today that everything from energy drinks to clothing is labeled as organic. To better understand "organic" let’s explore this issue by first defining exactly what organic means.

The term organic is used to identify any food product that is produced, processed and packaged without using chemicals. Also while certifications vary from country to country, in the United States, foods that earn the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Only those foods made entirely of organically produced ingredients can claim a 100 percent organic label. A food label that says "made with organic ingredients" contains at least 70 percent organic ingredients

Even though so much money is spent on organic products, "There is little scientific evidence to prove that organic food is better in quality than conventional food. Scientific research conducted so far on various organic food items have not been able to give strong signals about the superiority of organic food over non organic food. As a result, even the FDA and the USDA clearly mentions that non organic food is as healthy as organic food."

Since the price of organic food can range from 40% -150% higher than their non-organic counterparts, most people who are looking for the best way to lose weight often pick and choose what foods they will select for being organic. The popular choices in the way of organic fruits and vegetables include lettuce, spinach, strawberries, apples, and potatoes. Most people also agree that organic milk contains much healthier benefits than regular milk.

While you still may be undecided on whether or not organic food is more healthful than non-organic, and since it is so expensive, it is wise to make individual decisions based on personal preference. For instance, consider organic milk, but pass on organic bananas.