(ARA) - With so many people trying to improve their eating habits, the good news is that there are a lot more healthy options on store shelves than ever before. But the dizzying array of products makes it hard to know what the best choices truly are. Have you ever stared at the products on a store shelf and wondered what all the labels meant? How do you know which ones you should feed your family?

Two prevalent labels that seem to be especially confusing are “natural” and “organic.” If you have been wondering what these two terms mean and what the difference is between them, here’s a hint: one is strictly regulated, while the other can mean just about anything. Which is which?

If a product has the organic seal, it means that it is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and must meet strict government standards which control how such foods are grown, handled and processed. To be certified organic, the food must be grown without toxic synthetic pesticides and herbicides, genetically engineered ingredients (also called GMOs), antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. That means when you and your family are eating organic foods, you are not putting any of those things into your bodies. Organic farming helps by not adding chemicals to the air, water and soil, as well as keeping it away from you, your family and future generations. Some studies have shown that organic farming also helps produce more nutrient-dense crops.