[ScrappingForever]

To help all of us towards our goal of a healthier lifestyle, I'm going to post here whatever food-related tidbits I come across. One I got the other day was about High Fructose Corn Syrup and the danger it is for our bodies. This came from an Everyday Health newsletter that I get.

"Corn Syrup: Not so Sweet

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common ingredient in soda, fruit drinks, cookies, jams, and snack foods, is made by refining cornstarch through an enzymatic process. HFCS became popular as a sweetener in the 1980's when improvements in its manufacturing made it cheaper than cane or beet sugar. While there are potential health consequences to the over-consumption of any type of sweetener, HFCS carries additional risks because of its high fructose content and the way it is metabolized in the body. Here are some:
While the consumption of table sugar triggers the secretion of insulin and leptin, which signal your body that you are full, HFCS does not. Consumption of foods containing HFCS could contribute to increased caloric intake and weight gain.
Consumption of HFCS can elevate triglyceride levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
HFCS can upset the magnesium, copper, chromium, and zinc levels in the body, which could lead to deficiency diseases like bone loss.
In 2001, the average person consumed 62.6 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup. In the U.S., the average person consumes more HFCS than sugar."

Bottom line - read the labels on the foods you're buying! This stuff is EVERYWHERE! Avoid it like the plague it is!

[Zaz]

And I lost 18 lbs in the last year by avoiding most of it. I'm in the process of compiling a list of products that DON'T contain HFCS since it's easier than making a list of things to DO have it in it. It's everywhere. I even managed to find ketchup without it now. Heinz makes an organic version that uses cane sugar. BBQ sauce was more difficult, but I managed that, too. Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm currently trying to convert my DH from drinking regular Coca-cola to the Mexican version, which uses cane sugar. That's an uphill battle, though.

If I get my preliminary list put together soon, I'll post it.

[JoannB]

Who would have thought? I think the part I find especially interesting is that your body doesn't register fullness when you're eating foods with it.... fascinating! I'll be sure to be more aware of HFCS! Thanks for the info!! I know I should avoid most of those foods, anyway - but I didn't realize it was from the corn syrup. Hmm. Interesting info, Zaz. I'm going to have to jump on the bandwagon.

[Shelbi]

Zaz, if you can find Dr. pepper with cane sugar I would be forever grateful.
LOL.

[Sarah in VA]

I've been aware of the HFCS for some time now and I thought it was going to get the same treatment as trans fat, but not so.

In fact, I've noticed a new commercial on TV that has a girl chiding her boyfriend who is being wary of a popscicle containing HFCS. She explains to him, as if to a not-very-bright 4 year old that is is made with corn, has the same calories as sugar and honey and is fine in moderation!

Where is the responsibility in advertising? Non-existent. Doesn't do a thing for the bottom line.

[zachsmommy]

The worst thing about it is how insidious it is. It's EVERYWHERE!! Even manufacturers who produce some products without it, use it in others (example: Franz bread makes bagels and a variety of their white bread without it, but their other varieties have it, Darigold makes a strawberry milk without it, but chocolate has it). It's so frustrating....and takes a LOT of work to avoid it. Good for you, Zaz, for successfully avoiding it most of the time!

[Zaz]

Shelbi, on Sep 5 2008, 09:19 AM, said:

Zaz, if you can find Dr. pepper with cane sugar I would be forever grateful.
LOL.

A lot of other countries have BANNED HFCS (considered a harmful substance) so I might have to see what I can find elsewhere for you, Michelle. I still have a Dr. Pepper now and then because if I tell myself I can never have it again, that's all I'll ever want.

[Zaz]

Hey, if anyone wants to give me something that they'd like to find that doesn't have HFCS, I'm up to the challenge. If I managed to find ketchup, there is hope for other products as well. I just shared a Mint Three Muskateers bar with my mom. It has only 5 grams of fat for the whole bar, is made with dark chocolate (heart healthy, right?) and has no HFCS. And it was super YUMMY!

I wish I could just give up sugar altogether, but I'm not there yet.

[TeaScrapper]

You can order Dr. Pepper with imperial cane sugar here Old Doc's Soda Shop, but it's $16.00 for a case of 8 bottles!

[ScrappingForever]

Organic is the very best way to go for pretty much everything. We've been using that Organic Heinz Ketchup for a while now, and it's yummy! In fact, we're trying to switch pretty much everything over to organic, including cleansers, personal care items, etc. We have some great organic grocery stores in our area, so it's pretty easy for us.

Another thing to do is read, read, read food labels. If it has things on it we can't pronounce, we avoid it. Or if it has added sugars that are unnecessary, we avoid it. And of course, we watch our fat intake.

Have you ever heard of the idea of shopping from just the outside edges of a grocery store? That is where the whole, complete foods are, for the most part, because those are the types of food that need refrigeration, and the outside edges of the stores are where the outlets are. It's one way to really start getting rid of the garbage in your diet, and to eat clean and healthy. The deli is one of the exceptions, of course. With the fatty cheeses and deli meats loaded with nitrates and nitrites, it's another area to avoid.

Carol Ann, I would love to see your list, just out of curiosity. That's the best way to get your kids set on a healthy path for life.

Sarah, there is no responsibility in advertising, just as there isn't any responsibility in food manufacturing. It's all about making big bucks. Just look at the awful cereals and other so-called "foods" that are touted on the TV stations kids watch day in and day out. My kids used to beg me to get them the latest cereal, snack, pop-tart....whatever....because the TV said you had to have it to be cool, or whatever. Now, they no better. We don't allow that kind of garbage into the house. But no, don't look for responsibility when it comes to food advertising.

Of course, what shocks us even more is the lack of responsibility parents take in what they feed their kids. We were at the pool one day over the summer, and there was a toddler wandering around drinking from a 20 oz. bottle of coke. What kind of parent fills their child's belly up with that kind of stuff??? I just don't get it! Of course, I don't even let my kids drink juice any more, because of all of the unnecessary sugar in it. The only thing of that sort that they get in this house is Gatoraid, and only when they are going to be doing intense exercise. (Of course, unfortunately I have no control over what they put in their bodies at their father's, but I figure they are at least getting it right half of the time....more than half, because I make their lunches for school. )

Anyway, I'll get off of my soapbox now. I hope I haven't offended anyone, but I have turned into quite the food nazi. The rate of child obesity and Type II diabetes has skyrocketed in this country, and it doesn't have to be that way.

Okay, I'll stop....

[HisThao]

Great information, ladies, and you're right: it's everywhere. Carol Ann, I would love to see your list.

[CC from AZ]

Yes it is everywhere!!! about eight months ago I stood in the bread isle reading labels for about 40 minutes without any luck even the so called health all grain breads had it listed...
now a new bread is out without HFCS...

Carol Ann I would love to see your list...

Jan, Thanks for the info keep it coming!!!

[trishy]

This is good to know Jan, thank you. I worry about my kids staying healthy and being active because my husband and I are both prone to carrying excess weight when we don't pay attention to what we eat. My husband and I have been eating much better and the kids notice that too. I try to buy Organic for the most part, but the expense of it at times about chokes me. Most of the time is better than none of the time, so baby steps.

Sarah I have seen those commercials too and thought it was inappropriate. Makes TV on DVR look better and better.

Thank you for the info, always appreciated!

[jeschaff]

Jan, thanks for this great information. I'm going to pass it on to a certain brother of mine who drinks Diet Dr. Pepper rather than water, and he drinks it all day (YUCK). He doesn't understand why he's so over-weight. And I don't understand why he's killing himself!

BTW, DH and I watched a TV special on the use of corn in our food supply chain. I can't remember the name of it, but will ask DH when I talk to him later today. It's enough to make you want to be a vegetarian!

[Burnsie]

You'd think with the price of corn these days that companies would switch to other alternatives, let alone the nutritional debate!

[ScrappingForever]

Yeah, one of the many things that gets me going these days is using food for such things as fuel and cleaners. People are saying ethanol (corn-based) fuel is a good alternative to oil. And one of the big companies, I forget which one, has started making a cleaner using corn, and calling it organic. Ugh. I guess it is organic, but IMO, food just isn't a good alternative, KWIM?

[Zaz]

I could write a novel here on food choices. We still drink juice, but only if it's 100% juice with no added sugars. We avoid artificial sweeteners because your body doesn't really know how to process them. That's why drinking diet soda doesn't really help with weight. It just confuses your body. And DH is the only Gatorade drinker here. Still have SO MUCH converting to do.

One place that a lot of people have access to is Target. They have a brand called Archer Farms. A LOT of their foods have no HFCS. I buy my bread there, for instance. I even found some cookies with no HFCS by Archer Farms. I've become a fan. But not ALL of their stuff is HFCS or artificial sweetener free. I'll get that list out here soon. Some foods have changed and I don't want to put out bad information. Oh, and if anyone finds a spaghetti sauce that actually tastes good without HFCS, I'm all ears.

It takes me a long time to get through a grocery store.

[Glorie]

Does anyone know why we have something called FDA?? JK...

Would love to see that list, Zaz!

It is so tough being a good 'food/drink" patrol MOM!

MY DH loves all that stuff and therefore the kids get it too, but they know how MOM feels about it so maybe in the future.....

I do put spinich in my brownies and cake, chick peas in cookies, also add lots of veggies in casseroles spag.,etc. I've gotta be sneaky with DH around! Oh, I've also got that recipe book, "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld!

[ScrappingForever]

Hey Carol Ann, do you have a Trader Joe's anywhere near you? They are a good organic store that is all over the country. They have great products, and great tomato sauce. Really, if you have any organic stores around you, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, they will have the sauces without the added sugars/HFCS.

[Zaz]

I live in the woods, Jan. Nearest Trader Joe's is about 2 1/2 hours away. *sigh* My local grocery store has some organic foods, but they can be super expensive here. They would probably order in anything I ask for, but I'd hate to be responsible for them selling a certain product. I guess that's why I've mostly concentrated on foods that are in the regular sections of the grocery store. This is the only major change I made in my diet in the last year, but I should probably wander to even healthier stuff. Maltodextrin is one of the next evil things I'll be watching out for, but I have to get my HFCS project on track first.

[trishy]

A great alternative that I have started doing for spaghetti sauce is a can of diced tomatoes (organic , 1.5 TBSP of minced garlic, 1 TBSP olive oil, 1 TBSP oregano, a pinch of salt & pepper. Let it bubble/simmer for about 15 minutes, then serve over noodles with shredded parmasen cheese on top. The kids actually like it better, but that would not be the case for all kids as we all know, but it may be worth a try.

Also, Prego Traditional doesn't have HFCS. HTH!

[trishy]

There is a great product from WA called Baker's Breakfast cookies, see the site http://www.bbcookies.com/

They are yummy, fill you up and the kids love them too. I order them because it is cheaper than buying them at the grocery store. They are perfect for carrying in my purse for a quick snack, great alternative to a lot of the granola bars out there. Plus the kids think they are a real treat, how can you go wrong?!

[Zaz]

trishy, on Sep 5 2008, 07:07 PM, said:

Also a great alternative that I have started doing for spaghetti sauce is a can of diced tomatoes (organic , 1.5 TBSP of minced garlic, 1 TBSP olive oil, 1 TBSP oregano, a pinch of salt & pepper. Let it bubble/simmer for about 15 minutes, then serve over noodles with shredded parmasen cheese on top. The kids actually like it better, but that would not be the case for all kids as we all know, but it may be worth a try.

Also, Prego Traditional doesn't have HFCS. HTH!

I thought I had looked at all the Prego! Now I'm excited! My kids would probably eat your version, too, though, so I might have to try that. And I have fresh basil growing in my window sill (can't believe I haven't managed to kill it yet), so that might be yummy to add, too. Thanks so much for the info!!!

[ScrappingForever]

That sounds great, Trish! That reminds me of the sauce I got at a new local organic store. It was called Basil and Garlic. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it! And it was, but when I opened it up, there were like, whole cloves of garlic, cloves that were like an inch and a half long. And whole leaves of basil! LOL It was good, but boy, I wasn't ready for that!

Anyway, it's too bad that your Trader Joe's is so far away. It's a great store. But we now have 3 organic stores within 5 miles of us. The newest one is a little mom and pop type of store, and the prices there are quite a bit more expensive. Our regular grocery store also has a whole line of organic foods which are really good, and incredibly reasonably priced. We are very lucky here, for the most part.

[Sarah in VA]

Only Americans can take a food source (corn) and turn it into fuel to run in cars!

[patsyt]

Zaz, on Sep 5 2008, 08:38 AM, said:

And I lost 18 lbs in the last year by avoiding most of it. I'm in the process of compiling a list of products that DON'T contain HFCS since it's easier than making a list of things to DO have it in it. It's everywhere. I even managed to find ketchup without it now. Heinz makes an organic version that uses cane sugar. BBQ sauce was more difficult, but I managed that, too. Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm currently trying to convert my DH from drinking regular Coca-cola to the Mexican version, which uses cane sugar. That's an uphill battle, though.

If I get my preliminary list put together soon, I'll post it.

Where do you get the Mexican version? I've also heard that McDonald's Coke uses sugar but I'm not sure if that's true or not - I just know it usually tastes better than Coke at other places.

[jeschaff]

The special on the corn industry is called "King Corn". It should be available to rent at Blockbuster or other video stores, and it may be available online.