Moved from the Budget Board: anyone else eliminating High Fructose Corn Syrup

[wowsmom]

Pauls Newman's brand of chocolate sandwhich cookies (oreo-like) are HFCS free.

And they make a version called Ginger-O's that have ginger flavor cookies that are incredibly good (if you like ginger...which I do!).

 

[Lovemydog]

Newman's O's are the BEST!
So, dumb question maybe, but if an ingredient list says simply "sugar" then it is just sugar, right? It only has high fructose corn syrup if it says "high fructose corn syrup?
Thanks!

 

[LadyyRedd]

Newman's O's are the BEST!
So, dumb question maybe, but if an ingredient list says simply "sugar" then it is just sugar, right? It only has high fructose corn syrup if it says "high fructose corn syrup?
Thanks!

Correct!

Kimya

 

[Princess_Michelle]

I'm slowly working on this one....I just have gotten used to getting stuff w/o hydrogenated fats. Then I switched from sugar to Splenda, then found out that it's bad, so switched to Stevia and "raw" sugar. Now, I'm starting to look at HFCS as well. It is so hard, but a by product is that I find shopping at a normal grocery store, my bill is SO much lower. When you can't buy 3/4 of the products in the store, naturally, you're bill is less, and you eat leass I supplement by going to Trader Joes and Whole Foods, which cost more, but it doesn't matter, cause I saved so much at the grocery store. I've essentially been "boycotting" fast food places, just cause they are so unhealthy. I cannot in good conscience force DS to eat his chicken nuggets, so we just don't go anymore. Yesterday, I was visiting family in the boondocks, and b/c of lack of options ate at a Burger King, YUCK. The food was gross, the place was gross, the people eating there were gross, and half the people working there were gross. I quickly remembered why I've been "boycotting".

 

[flying_babyb]

Well, our first offical HFcS free shoping trip. We spent 73 dollars. We got:
French bread
Wheat bread (cheap walmart brand)
Summer saugage
Ham
Turkey
Pizza crust
Cheese
Shreded cheeze
Scrapbookin stickers (the pop dots)
A cat climber (17 bucks well spent)

 

[tennvalgirl]

subscribing

HFCS makes you want to eat MORE HFCS.


Is HFCS a really cheap ingredient for companies to use?

If so, I've answered my own question.

 

[buzz5985]

I really think it depends on where you live. My son was outside yesterday from 12n to 7:20pm playing organized then non organized sports. Out of 22 kids on his soccer team roster, three are on the heavy side but even they run and play hard. One of the heavy ones is battling the weight he put on from steroids fighting leukemia. Yesterday, they played soccer for 3 hours, played basketball for who knows how long, set up an obstacle course that entertained even the 2yo next door and then played football in various modes until the mosquitos chased them in. At one point, I also saw them running wind sprints. lol! My son is 5'5", 12 years old and weighs 121 lbs of solid muscle. He will sleep til 12n today then do it all over again. I must be the bad mom and require that he do some school work. That will heavily cramp his style as he prefers to be outside on beautiful days such as these. Last night for dinner he ate a huge bowl of steamed vegetables- huge- and a large bowl of pestoed pasta with a side of scrambled eggs. No soda, just water and no sweets all day. This morning, I MIGHT treat him to a donut, fresh fruit and some fake sausage. He's a vegetarian.

Unfortunatley a lot of medications cause weight gain. And I doubt if I was a Mother and my DS was dealing with leukemia that he would be playing soccer during the treatment phase. But then again - it's not football.

I'm from the NE and tend to play baseball, football and hockey. My DS is short and scrawny - but has the heart of a lion. He is playing PeeWee hockey this year and it is the year they start checking. Only trouble my son goes after the kids twice his size. But we have him going in low, hitting at the knees and bowling the big kids over. And as the old saying goes the bigger they are the harder they fall, and when it comes to hockey - the slower they get up.

I couldn't imagine him sleeping as late as your DS - I would think something was wrong with him. LOL Why did your son become a vegetarian?? I would send my DS to a psychiatrist if he made this decision at such a young age.

 

[grlpwrd]

Unfortunatley a lot of medications cause weight gain. And I doubt if I was a Mother and my DS was dealing with leukemia that he would be playing soccer during the treatment phase. But then again - it's not football.

I'm from the NE and tend to play baseball, football and hockey. My DS is short and scrawny - but has the heart of a lion. He is playing PeeWee hockey this year and it is the year they start checking. Only trouble my son goes after the kids twice his size. But we have him going in low, hitting at the knees and bowling the big kids over. And as the old saying goes the bigger they are the harder they fall, and when it comes to hockey - the slower they get up.

I couldn't imagine him sleeping as late as your DS - I would think something was wrong with him. LOL Why did your son become a vegetarian?? I would send my DS to a psychiatrist if he made this decision at such a young age.

flying_babyb, think of it as an investment in your health.

 

[SandraVB79]

I just checked a colleague's Coke can (I only drink Diet coke, which is called Coca Cola Light here), and it does not contain HFCS.
I don't think it's used a lot, nor is that special transgenated fat (or however it is called).
During my US vacations, I don't look at what I eat. I like the "gross" American food, and since it's only twice 2-3 weeks maximum, I'll survive
(I'm already dreaming of the American breakfasts and all!!!)

Something I don't like though, is how everything is "sweet". Bread is sweet, butter is sweet, meat is sweet, ... Argh! I don't like how you sometimes can only taste "sweet" and not the real taste of the food.
Whether you eat toast or pancakes or waffles or French toast... it all almost tastes the same... just the form and the substance is a little different

But I'm going to enjoy it anyway

Oh, and btw, even if Oreo's have HFCS, I don't think you'll die from eating 1-2 Oreos a day! Treat yourself to it, and just be careful on the other food. You'll never be able to exclude all non-natural ingredients in your food.

 

[mama4]

HFCS makes you want to eat MORE HFCS.
Is HFCS a really cheap ingredient for companies to use?

Yes -that is true along with other reasons. I got this from Wikipedia:

Since its introduction, HFCS has begun to replace sugar in various processed foods in the USA.[3] The main reasons for this switch are:
[4]
-HFCS is somewhat cheaper due to the relative abundance of corn, farm subsidies and sugar import tariffs in the United States.[5]
-HFCS is easier to blend and transport because it is a liquid.[6]
-HFCS usage leads to products with much longer shelf life.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

subscribing

HFCS makes you want to eat MORE HFCS.

In 1988 Philip Morris acquires Kraft Food. In 1985 RJR Reynolds Tobaco merges with Nabisco (forming RJR Nabisco). HFCS starts appearing in our food supply in the late 80's.

Here's my question. If tobacco companies have no problem adding addictive substances to their products, what makes us think tobacco owned food would not contain an addictive substance?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Interesting thread...
We have tried to eliminate from our diets: high fructose corn syrup, trans fats and artificial sweetners. I am also slowly switiching us over to more organic items. It makes grocery shopping exciting.

ETA: I also substitute in whole grains whenever possible.

 

[Belle2667]

WHAT?!?! Last week I read on this board that I should eliminate sugar-alternatives because they mess with my metabolism and energy levels and all-in-all, they just aren't good for me.

So.....I take the advice of the "All-knowing DIS" and I ditch the diet coke and switch to regular coke for my caffeine fix. Now I can't have that either because of HFCS?? I don't like coffee, so I guess tea...with real sugar....is my next choice!

All this HFCS talk makes total sense and my family won't be too happy, but we're on the band wagon (as soon as my coke is gone! )

 

[bumbershoot]

I read an article about Coke a couple of years ago in Parade. It seems they use pure cane sugar for their sodas distributed outside of the US.

You can buy these Coke products in some Latino markets. They come in the small bottles like they did years ago. They keep them behind the counter so you have to ask for them.

I read the other week that some Costcos are selling Coke from Mexico, made with cane juice. It sounds so ridiculously good that I can't believe I haven't gone searching.

Does he eat his waffles plain or does he pour syrup on them (made with you-know-what)? Mrs. Buttersworth has a good tasting sugar-free syrup.

My downfall is that I'm a pb&j addict. I've tried the sugarless fruit spreads and always fall back to the Smuckers made with tons of sugar!

If you have a Safeway, their O Organics has a lovely maple syrup that's actually maple syrup, not maple flavored HF corn syrup. Well, OK, I personally dislike actual maple syrup, but DS likes it.

And giving up HFCS really has NOTHING to do with giving up sugar. They are completely different things. HFCS is created in a lab, it's a chemical, not anything like a food.

Safeway O Organics' jams are wonderful, and are fruit, pectin, and normal sugar.

I think I may try this. What can I eat? I mean I still gatta use up the food we have but We need to go shopping soon. Are there any sodas that dont contain HFCS? I would be lost without at least one soda.


WOW!!!! I looked in our fridge (please keep in mind im a college studet)
The soda shelf is out
The ketchup
The Choclate sauce
The whip cream
The milk duds
The malt beverages
The easter candy...

Only HFCS free thing is the Oj and water WOW

For whipped cream, get a mixer and buy heavy cream. It's not the same taste as whipped cream from a can, but it's very very delicious in its own way. I've been known to just use the cream, but most recipes call for some sugar to be added while whipping, and even vanilla. Yum!

 

[rie'smom]

WHAT?!?! Last week I read on this board that I should eliminate sugar-alternatives because they mess with my metabolism and energy levels and all-in-all, they just aren't good for me.

So.....I take the advice of the "All-knowing DIS" and I ditch the diet coke and switch to regular coke for my caffeine fix. Now I can't have that either because of HFCS?? I don't like coffee, so I guess tea...with real sugar....is my next choice!

All this HFCS talk makes total sense and my family won't be too happy, but we're on the band wagon (as soon as my coke is gone! )

I don't know if y'all get Community tea in PA but if you do, the gallon size is sweetened with cane sugar.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just checked a colleague's Coke can (I only drink Diet coke, which is called Coca Cola Light here), and it does not contain HFCS.
I don't think it's used a lot, nor is that special transgenated fat (or however it is called).
During my US vacations, I don't look at what I eat. I like the "gross" American food, and since it's only twice 2-3 weeks maximum, I'll survive
(I'm already dreaming of the American breakfasts and all!!!)



Oh, and btw, even if Oreo's have HFCS, I don't think you'll die from eating 1-2 Oreos a day! Treat yourself to it, and just be careful on the other food. You'll never be able to exclude all non-natural ingredients in your food.

Wanted to note for others that you are in Europe. So no, your Coke doesn't have HFCS. Lucky!

And if I let my son have even one Oreo, it might not kill HIM, but he'd try to kill ME. He does NOT react well to even a tiny amount of the stuff.

And I doubt if I was a Mother and my DS was dealing with leukemia that he would be playing soccer during the treatment phase.

I couldn't imagine him sleeping as late as your DS - I would think something was wrong with him. LOL Why did your son become a vegetarian?? I would send my DS to a psychiatrist if he made this decision at such a young age.

She said the child was dealing with the weight from the steroids from when he was dealing with leukemia. NOT that the child was still fighting it. Trust me, with leukemia, you barely leave the house. You're not on a team. This kid is obviously THROUGH it, and is now dealing with the effects of the steroids (as was a friend of mine as a child, after dealing with a hepatitis).

I think maybe you could read about vegetarianism, if you think that someone who chooses it should see a psychiatrist. It's not something wrong, it's simply choosing to live without killing other beings. My son is veggie, and he's 3. In our case, we've chosen it for him until he is old enough to decide and cook his own foods on his own cookware, but we teach him about all foods. He's content with, as he says, "other people eat fish, crabs, cows, but we are veg'ian".

As for sleeping...I was otherwise active, but I could easily sleep up to 15 hours if I could, and didn't have to wake up to use the bathroom. I still would, if I didn't have a little kid climbing on me b/c "it's morning time, wake up, it's morning time!" My brother on the other hand didn't ever like to sleep that long, and still doesn't!

 

[Befferk]

This got really long, sorry but lots of good resources.....

My family has gone through a transition in the last few years as far as food. Besides the HFCS, we also watch out for preservatives, hydrogenated oils, artificial ingredients, and hormones (as a side note, most beef/chicken etc that you buy in the store is given growth hormones, very bad. So I buy beef from a local Amish/organic farmer, and I do notice that Walmart has hormone-free chicken and pork now. And my beef is actually cheaper, only $2.50 per pound for EVERYTHING including steaks and roasts).

I am glad that our Walmart has started carrying more organic items. Most of my items come from other sources now.

Check out this website, AWESOME snacks, especially if you have kids. http://www.yumyumsnacks.com/index.html
Our favorites are their Clodhoppers & Pirates Booty.

I also belong to a buying club that has mostly organic/natural food items in bulk:
http://66.222.25.119/
The website is a little hard to manuever unless you know what you are looking for, but it might help someone. But for instance, these are what we substitue for Oreos:
http://66.222.25.119/eStore.asp?Item=15293
and they taste better!

This is our yogurt from the buying club (I can also get it in the organic aisle of my local grocery store):
http://66.222.25.119/eStore.asp?Item=17705
&
http://66.222.25.119/eStore.asp?Item=17704

Another good food resource that someone else mentioned:
http://www.annies.com/
I see that my Walmart has started carrying more of their food.

Eggs I buy from a guy my husband works with that raises chickens and doesn't use hormones. I grow a garden and can green beans, carrots and other vegetables. I go to an Amish farm and pick berries to make my own jams.

So there are ways to still eat good food that isn't as bad for you. Sure, I can't afford to replace everything we eat with the ideal choices, but I have chosen the items that we eat most (beef & other meats, eggs, snacks foods, etc). I figure if I can replace 1/2 or more I am doing pretty good.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

And my beef is actually cheaper, only $2.50 per pound for EVERYTHING including steaks and roasts).

Wow, that is an unbelievable price. I wish I had something like that here.

I've been buying Laura's Natural Lean Ground beef for 3.57/pd at our Super Walmart.

 

[NemoMOm]

The Paul Newman cookies are way better that the Oreos! Check them out!

Also I think a lot of the chemicals in our food can be the cause for most of our health issues in America.

We no longer eat the box foods in the middle of the aisles of the store. If we do the are organic and we watch ingredients carefully.

I have acid reflux that only flares up once in while (when I eat out) because we have gotten rid the preservatives. Have not been on the purple pill in years when even on the pill before changing diet had a problem.

Now I have insulin rest. so I have to watch carbs and sugar and it is so hard to find things to eat.

I pretty much cook from scratch and the whole family is so much healthier.

 

[Maggimus]

We dont have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods anywhere near me-- so that stinks!