high fructose corn syrup

[AndyLL]

The chemical bond that connects two mono saccarides (like glucose and fructose) has very little to do with the way that those sugars are actually matabolized. It is a weak, easily broken chemical bond that is actually taken care of largely by stomach acid. I don't see how the fact that they are not connected could make a significant difference in their matabolism. I think it is more about the fact that the ratio of glucose to fructose is off in HCFS. Fructose is slightly different is structure to glucose an is more likley to be stored in the body, hence the problem with the high concentration of fructose. The way i read it, the results of the Princeton study don't necessarily point to the fact that they are bonded as significant, rather the ratio of fructose to glucose.

The Princeton study did not state the the bound/unbound was the issue but as a possiblity.

Their finding lead them to believe that HFCS does metabolize differently in the body.

The rats using HFCS had unique fat gain and increased triglycerides which also point to differences in how they metabolize.

The study was looking at if HFCS metablizes differently... not necessarily how.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I am still trying to find that study that says that HFCS hs been known to increase the midichlorians in your blood.

Don't know if that would be a good thing or not.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Why on earth is it in everything? Why can't we just go back to using real sugar? Is it more expensive to use real sugar?
I am curious, is there a list of things that do not have HFCS in it anywhere?

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Why on earth is it in everything? Why can't we just go back to using real sugar? Is it more expensive to use real sugar?
I am curious, is there a list of things that do not have HFCS in it anywhere?

Because of large-scale corn subsidies that have created gigantic surpluses of corn in this nation. What do you do with it all? Create new chemical compounds out of it (higher incidents of obesity). Feed it to ruminants who aren't supposed to be eating it (higher amounts of e.coli in our food system). Drive the price of corn down to the point where the corn growers of the nation become slave laborers for a system that uses and abuses them.

It reminds me of Ian Malcolm's famous line in Jurassic Park, "your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

 

[dejr_8]

So now we're splitting hairs? For me and my family, I absolutely view the issues raised about HFCS and an issue of safety/health/however you'd like it said. We already have a strong family history of diabetes so I'm inclined to be careful of anything that is even implicated in the development of insulin resistance and other pre-diabetic metabolic changes.

I've said several times on this thread that the evidence isn't conclusive and I'm not among those calling for a ban on the stuff. Consumer pressure is clearly getting the job done; when I first gave the stuff up, it was hard to find bread or crackers or yogurt without HFCS and now there are multiple brands/lines to choose from.

No I am not splitting hairs. The FDA has a legal description of Safe and Safety. HFCS is SAFE.

Eating HFCS in large quantities can cause health issues. Eating too much table sugar will cause health issues. Eating too much of any food will cause health issues. That doesn't make that food item Unsafe.

 

[MosMom]

I read labels. It takes longer in the grocery store until you start finding the brands you like but it is eye opening.

This doesn't have anything to do with HFCS but Splenda Brown Sugar is more calories and a tad less carb. So, go for the real thing. People probably grab Splenda brown sugar daily thinking it is saving them a bundle in calories. Wrong-o.

Brown Sugar - 1 tsp - 17 Calories 0 Fat 4.4 Carbs

Splenda Brown Sugar - 1/2 tsp - 10 Calories o Fat 2 Carbs

They changed the serving to 1/2 t so on first glance it looks like it is less. Pretty common practice if you get used to reading labels.

 

[Silent1CB]

I read labels. It takes longer in the grocery store until you start finding the brands you like but it is eye opening.

This doesn't have anything to do with HFCS but Splenda Brown Sugar is more calories and a tad less carb. So, go for the real thing. People probably grab Splenda brown sugar daily thinking it is saving them a bundle in calories. Wrong-o.

Brown Sugar - 1 tsp - 17 Calories 0 Fat 4.4 Carbs

Splenda Brown Sugar - 1/2 tsp - 10 Calories o Fat 2 Carbs

They changed the serving to 1/2 t so on first glance it looks like it is less. Pretty common practice if you get used to reading labels.

MosMom, I had wondered about what you use. You bake & decorate cakes, right? Are your customers able to tell any difference?

I've been wanting to try sugar alternatives like Splenda in more of my cooking, but its just all so confusing to me, especially in baking where the quantity of the item is needed for batter consistency.

 

[MosMom]

Ha! Cakes definitely fall under the moderation category and thankfully I make so many of them now, the thought of eating cake makes me want to hurl sometimes.

I use real ingredients. I don't make trans fat filled shortening "butter"cream. It is made with real butter. When I do tastings, people usually love it but there are some that prefer the store bought stuff which surprises me. I can't stand the grease film left in your mouth from shortening icing. The cakes are still filled with sugar and other baddies but at least they are natural baddies. I'm not sure if store cakes have HFCS but I wouldn't doubt it. I'm pretty sure the frosting is shortening and powdered sugar. I'm not sure what all goes into their cake mixes though.

When I bake at home, I use whole wheat flour and some different sweeteners like maple syrup, agave, or honey. Actually, I make a really yummy banana oat muffin that has zero added sugar. Just the banana. You can eat it that way or drizzle a little *tiny* bit of honey over it and it really sweetens it up.

I have a plate full of leftover cupcakes in the kitchen right now that are going stale. To say we're sick of cake is an understatement. haha

 

[Silent1CB]

Thanks MosMom. I had a feeling you were using real ingredients.

Agave syrup is one I've been wanting to buy. We have a new grocery store and I can now find these ingredients easier than before.

Would love your banana muffin recipe with no sugar!!! Please share if you can. I've been trying to cut bake on my sugar intake & learning about all the sugar substitues & other natural choices. So much to learn.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm not sure if store cakes have HFCS but I wouldn't doubt it.

They do at my Kroger bakery. Pretty much all of the stuff that comes out of their bakery has HFCS as the #2 or #3 ingredient (sometimes, like in their breads, it's further down the 50 ingredient list ).

 

[Buckeye Princess]

I just make everything from scratch. I just figure that whether its HFCS or something else that could be deemed bad one day, I'd rather know what i'm putting into my family's bodies. It also saves us lots of money. I barely even visit all of the center aisles of the grocery store.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

several people have said there are commercials for HFCS?

I don't recall seeing any of them.


are they made like some sort of PSA?

 

[Colleen27]

several people have said there are commercials for HFCS?

I don't recall seeing any of them.

are they made like some sort of PSA?

Sort of. I've seen two - One is two boys eating cereal, the other is two moms at a birthday party. In both, one person says something along the lines of "No thanks that has HFCS, you know what they say about that" and the other one says something about it being just like sugar and the one who objected stands there looking like an idiot with no response. The whole message is "our additives are good and anyone who says otherwise is ignorant".

 

[PebblesMK]

Ha! Cakes definitely fall under the moderation category and thankfully I make so many of them now, the thought of eating cake makes me want to hurl sometimes.

I use real ingredients. I don't make trans fat filled shortening "butter"cream. It is made with real butter. When I do tastings, people usually love it but there are some that prefer the store bought stuff which surprises me. I can't stand the grease film left in your mouth from shortening icing. The cakes are still filled with sugar and other baddies but at least they are natural baddies. I'm not sure if store cakes have HFCS but I wouldn't doubt it. I'm pretty sure the frosting is shortening and powdered sugar. I'm not sure what all goes into their cake mixes though.

When I bake at home, I use whole wheat flour and some different sweeteners like maple syrup, agave, or honey. Actually, I make a really yummy banana oat muffin that has zero added sugar. Just the banana. You can eat it that way or drizzle a little *tiny* bit of honey over it and it really sweetens it up.

I have a plate full of leftover cupcakes in the kitchen right now that are going stale. To say we're sick of cake is an understatement. haha

I would also love this recipe if you'd be willing to give it out!

 

[heatherleigh]

[/IMG]

My cousin has been cooking w/ healthy ingredients for several mos now. Her dad is vegan, so she originally started by trying to accommodate him when she hosted thanksgiving dinner. She said it is quite delicious, and it looks yummy too.

These cookies contain: Oatmeal, spelt, carob chips, cranberries, coconut oil, and agave nectar.

 

[heatherleigh]

[/IMG]

Here is something else she made recently. It has sweet potatoes, apples, and pecans in coconut oil. Clove, cinnamon, ginger, and coriander. She said this is totally good for you and non-fattening too!

 

[bettymae1121]

Totally un-scientific but...

Back in '03-'04 I went on a diet, and because I was cutting calories, naturally I cut my HFCS consumption, including switching from regular soda to diet. I started at about 175 and lost about 35 pounds and went from a size 14 to a size 10. While my HFCS consumption went down, I still ate a lot of processed foods.

After I lost the weight, for other reasons I strated to transition to organic, natural, and mimimually processed foods. But because I'm lazy (ie: stoped exercising!) and because organic foods can still be fattening like anything else, I've slowly gained weight and am now 185....but I'm still a size 12. I'm ten pounds heavier but one size smaller. Now, there are a lot of variables involved and there is no way to know why that is, but I have a sneaking suspision it has a lot to do with only consuming a fraction of the HFCS and processed foods that I used to. It's just something about how my body has processed the foods.

Good news is, I'm back on my diet as of last week and have already lost 3 pounds!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

[/img]

here is something else she made recently. It has sweet potatoes, apples, and pecans in coconut oil. Clove, cinnamon, ginger, and coriander. She said this is totally good for you and non-fattening too!

yummmmmyyyy

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Sort of. I've seen two - One is two boys eating cereal, the other is two moms at a birthday party. In both, one person says something along the lines of "No thanks that has HFCS, you know what they say about that" and the other one says something about it being just like sugar and the one who objected stands there looking like an idiot with no response. The whole message is "our additives are good and anyone who says otherwise is ignorant".

SNL does one that I saw a few weeks ago. the joke is that the "commercial" is sponsored by the corn industry!

it ends up with the mother that stands up for HFCS has a teeage daughter (played by the "portley" male cast member) that wants more juice with HFCS!

it ends with "listen to us, and ONLY us"!

 

[katiebug86]

SNL does one that I saw a few weeks ago. the joke is that the "commercial" is sponsored by the corn industry!

it ends up with the mother that stands up for HFCS has a teeage daughter (played by the "portley" male cast member) that wants more juice with HFCS!

it ends with "listen to us, and ONLY us"!

I love this!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/223360/saturday-night-live-corn-syrup-commercial