If you’re the parent of an infant who uses baby formula, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Why choose organic?” With an almost limitless variety of infant formulas on the market, it can be daunting (at the very least) to know what formula is best for baby.
Here at My Organic Formula, we’re passionate about helping you choose the safest and healthiest feeding option for your baby. In an effort to help you make the most informed decision, here are the biggest differences between organic formulas and conventional formulas:
Added sugars
Sugar in itself is not necessarily a bad thing and in fact, is an important source of carbohydrates in infant formulas. However, sugar can come in many different forms and quantities. Sadly, most conventional brands of formula contain refined sugars (not from a natural source) and unnecessary amounts of it.
Some of the various names of sugars used in traditional brands of formula include glucose, corn syrup, fructooligosaccharides, and sucrose.
What’s so bad about refined sugars? Studies have shown that a diet high in refined sugars can cause serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and dementia.
Highly processed vegetable oils
Vegetable oils are used as a source of fat in baby formulas. But, just like sugars, not all vegetable oils are created equal. Many non-organic formulas use oils that have been genetically modified or processed using toxic chemicals. Although some of these oils like high oleic sunflower oil are not genetically modified plants, the process of creating them is anything but natural.
And, since a lot of highly processed vegetable oils are relatively new to the market, no one really knows the long terms affects they have on the human body.
Synthetic fiber and preservatives
Most traditional brands of formula use synthetic fiber and preservatives in their milk. Polydextrose is a synthetic form of fiber used in many baby formulas as a thickener and sadly, as an easy way for formula manufacturers to advertise “added fiber.”
When it comes to aiding in digestion, polydextrose can’t even compete with oat bran and there’s no evidence proving this synthetic ingredient helps protect cardiovascular health.
Another ingredient commonly used in conventional infant formulas is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene naturally occurs in plants such as carrots and yams. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which helps support the immune system. The beta-carotene found in conventional formulas is extracted through the use of hexane and is sadly, stripped of most of its benefits. Unfortunately, most non-organic formulas use beta-carotene as a preservative and not as a source of vitamin A.
Peace of Mind
When you choose an organic formula, you’re getting peace of mind knowing only the safest and purest ingredients have been used to make it. At My Organic Formula, almost all of the baby formulas we carry are made using ingredients sourced from biodynamic farms. You won’t find any added sugars, highly processed oils, synthetic preservatives or synthetic fibers in any of the organic formulas we carry.
We’re not shy about sharing ingredients either! Simply click on any of our product descriptions like Holle Cow Milk Infant Formula Stage 1 or HIPP BIO Organic PRE formula and you’ll find a complete list of ingredients.