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

[Nicoal13]

That is why Agave is nice--it is soooo sweet...but soooo low on the glycemic index--diabetics can even use it. Take some raw coconut--some raw agave.....you have the insides of an almond joy but soooo much better for your body. And if you can finagle a raw fudge recipe made with cacao and agave and some raw almonds--holy smokes is it Almond joy heaven. And it is totally healthy for you! My friend makes it and it is to die for!!! And she's lost 30 pounds to boot. Now--she doesn't go crazy...but it makes it so easy to fill a sweet tooth....and if you have a little extra...it won't harm your body.

You can make wholesome cookies...and all-fruit spreads...are really just squashed fruit with a little bit of pectin. I don't even eat jam with sugar in it anymore.

But something in its most natural state is much better than a chemical created to taste like it.

I don't think anyone suggested here to go hog wild on the hfcs replacements.

I just read through most of this thread as we're trying to eliminate it from our diets as well.

Could you get this "almond joy" recipe from your friend? It sounds delish!

 

[50 years Too!]

I haven't read all the pages of this post, so don't know if this is redundant.
Vanilla extract (yes, even the real thing) has HFC in most brands.
I paid 3x's as much as the well known brand to get it without HFC.
Where does this additive not appear!

 

[mom2alix]

What brand was it? I looked at Kroger yesterday and could not find any. Ketchup is still a major food group for my DS10.

I just got Heinz organic ketchup at Target and it doesn't have HFCS.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

If you are luckey enough to live by a Trader Joes there Harvest Whole Wheat Bread doesn't have it and neither do the plain bagels.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How many calories are in Agave? How much do you use in comparison to sugar? Can it be used in cooking? What brand do you buy?

Thanks!

I think raw boasts good for diabetics...I don't have the raw right now which is more expensive...

But 1 tbsp has 60 calories and 16g of sugar...but a little goes a LONG way!!!

Could you get this "almond joy" recipe from your friend? It sounds delish!

I can try--but it will be tough...she is writing a cookbook for raw foods.

But "joy" part is very easy--just take some raw shredded coconut (no sugar added at all!!), squeeze in some agave so that it is nearly a liquid consistency. I just play with it until it looks right. Just enough to make the coconut pour-able. Then refrigerate for an hour or more.

For the chocolate part--She used raw dates (sounds gross--but really you do NOT notice!!), raw cacao powder, and ground up raw almonds. Refrigerate for an hour.

I created the almond joy by marrying the two together. Just pour a littel of the coconut mixture onto the "fudge" and voila...heaven on earth!

I can attempt to get a real recipe from her--but the one I have for something else was pulling teeth to get and she won't let me share it.

Her krackle recipe sounded neat as well though I don't know exactly what was in it. She ended up putting it in the freezer though--and ended up with Krackle-like results.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I haven't read all the pages of this post, so don't know if this is redundant.
Vanilla extract (yes, even the real thing) has HFC in most brands.
I paid 3x's as much as the well known brand to get it without HFC.
Where does this additive not appear!

Are you kidding me?????

Running to go check right now!

Are you sure you aren't talking about "imitation"?


Whew--ran to check and while I find it ODD that they use corn syrup...it is the regular stuff and not the HFCS. McCormick brand.

 

[jrmasm]

I'm confused....this is on MSN today

Myth #4: "High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is more fattening than regular sugar is."

The origin: In a 1968 study, rats that were fed large amounts of fructose developed high levels of fat in their bloodstreams. Then, in 2002, University of California at Davis researchers published a well-publicized paper noting that Americans' increasing consumption of fructose, including that in HFCS, paralleled our skyrocketing rates of obesity.

What science really shows: Both HFCS and sucrose—better known as table sugar—contain similar amounts of fructose. For instance, the two most commonly used types of HFCS are HFCS-42 and HFCS-55, which are 42 and 55 percent fructose, respectively. Sucrose is almost chemically identical, containing 50 percent fructose. This is why the University of California at Davis scientists determined fructose intakes from both HFCS and sucrose. The truth is, there's no evidence to show any differences in these two types of sugar. Both will cause weight gain when consumed in excess.

The bottom line: HFCS and regular sugar are empty-calorie carbohydrates that should be consumed in limited amounts. How? By keeping soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, and prepackaged desserts to a minimum.


So what exactly is the issue with HFCS? Is it that it's found in unexpected places?

 

[Befferk]

I'm confused....this is on MSN today

Myth #4: "High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is more fattening than regular sugar is."

The origin: In a 1968 study, rats that were fed large amounts of fructose developed high levels of fat in their bloodstreams. Then, in 2002, University of California at Davis researchers published a well-publicized paper noting that Americans' increasing consumption of fructose, including that in HFCS, paralleled our skyrocketing rates of obesity.

What science really shows: Both HFCS and sucrose—better known as table sugar—contain similar amounts of fructose. For instance, the two most commonly used types of HFCS are HFCS-42 and HFCS-55, which are 42 and 55 percent fructose, respectively. Sucrose is almost chemically identical, containing 50 percent fructose. This is why the University of California at Davis scientists determined fructose intakes from both HFCS and sucrose. The truth is, there's no evidence to show any differences in these two types of sugar. Both will cause weight gain when consumed in excess.

The bottom line: HFCS and regular sugar are empty-calorie carbohydrates that should be consumed in limited amounts. How? By keeping soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, and prepackaged desserts to a minimum.


So what exactly is the issue with HFCS? Is it that it's found in unexpected places?

Don't believe everything you read.

That's of course what they want us to believe. Major food companies have so much invested in these kind of ingredients to boost their bottom line and they will do anything to promote it. As far as whats good for us and what's not, one time they tell us (insert just about any food) is good for us, the next month, they are telling us just how bad it is. Common sense is that anything that is not natural, that is a manufactured ingredient is not all that good for the body. Of course it's hard to eliminate everything, but we should do the best we can and make weighted choices. Again, if you look at a lot of posts here, it isn't about weight necessarily, because of course a lot of "real" sugar isn't good either. It's about all the unnatural
and unnecessary ingredients they are putting in almost all of our food for no reason.

 

[jrmasm]

You didn't really answer my question...it seems that people may be putting a product back on the shelf that has HFCS and picking up one that has sugar in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

Is the issue purely about eliminating HFCS or is about eliminating all/most sweetners?

For the record, I'm not arguing. I am confused.

 

[Befferk]

You didn't really answer my question...it seems that people may be putting a product back on the shelf that has HFCS and picking up one that has sugar in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

Is the issue purely about eliminating HFCS or is about eliminating all/most sweetners?

For the record, I'm not arguing. I am confused.

Sorry I was stressing that sugar is a "natural" ingredient, HFCS is not. It is a manufactured ingredient. So, yes, we are putting the food with HFCS back on the shelf and possibly choosing something with sugar in it. This topic isn't about eliminating sweeteners. Only artificial ones. Hope that helps!

 

[kfeuer]

I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and was so happy with all the things I was able to get HFCS free. This change really feels doable, I've yet to find anything I normally buy that had HFCS that I haven't been able to find a substitute for.

I just wish TJ's was closer (it's a 30-minute drive with no traffic).

I did find that our two favorite cereals don't have HFCS:

Quaker Oatmeal Squares (I love these, they stay very crunchy and it's very satisfying. DS will eat these as a snack by themselves)

Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats (although I did notice that a couple of varieties of the frostings had trans fat in them, although it must be a trace amount since it wasn't listed on the label has having any trans fat.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

You didn't really answer my question...it seems that people may be putting a product back on the shelf that has HFCS and picking up one that has sugar in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

Is the issue purely about eliminating HFCS or is about eliminating all/most sweetners?

For the record, I'm not arguing. I am confused.

In the last few years we've learned not all fats are equal. Olive oil has benefits whereas Trans Fats are dangerous.

Here is an article that discusses why HFCS is more harmful then table sugar:

Fructose- and it's "steroid" version known as high-fructose corn syrup- have become "ubiqui-foods". They're everywhere, we consume them in insanely high amounts, and the health costs are just beginning to be recognized. New research points to some of the possible consequences.

In one study, overweight and obese adults were instructed to eat their usual diet along with sugar sweetened beverages. One group was asked to consume 25% of the day's calorie requirement as a specially made beverage sweetened with glucose. The other group was given an identical beverage sweetened with fructose. Both groups were allowed to eat as little or as much of their usual diet as they wanted, but were required to drink the sugar beverages.

Not surprisingly, all subjects gained weight. But the fructose-consuming subjects gained intra-abdominal fat, whereas the glucose subjects did not.

Why does this matter? Because intra-abdominal fat- the kind that makes you more of an apple than a pear- is the most dangerous kind of fat to carry around. It puts you at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease and a constellation of symptoms called Metabolic Syndrome, an almost certain path to either heart disease or diabetes. The fructose-consuming subjects also had increases in fasting insulin and in fasting glucose, both of which are associated with a greater risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

 

[mom2grace]

Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats (although I did notice that a couple of varieties of the frostings had trans fat in them, although it must be a trace amount since it wasn't listed on the label has having any trans fat.

Where do you live? (oops, I can see you live in Atlanta!) My box of Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats DO have HFCS, the list is Whole grain wheat, sugar, HFCS, gelatin, vitamins and bht! My box is orange ish in color, with blue letters! (It's unopened and going to our local food pantry!)

So, based on where the product is manufactured, could there be differences?!

 

[kfeuer]

Where do you live? (oops, I can see you live in Atlanta!) My box of Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats DO have HFCS, the list is Whole grain wheat, sugar, HFCS, gelatin, vitamins and bht! My box is orange ish in color, with blue letters! (It's unopened and going to our local food pantry!)

So, based on where the product is manufactured, could there be differences?!

I don't know! I'm not home right now, but when I get home this afternoon I will definitely double-check the label. I checked 4 different varieties of Frosted Mini-Wheats in the store (Walmart) and didn't see HFCS on any of them, just the trans fat on a couple of them.

 

[mom2grace]

You didn't really answer my question...it seems that people may be putting a product back on the shelf that has HFCS and picking up one that has sugar in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

Is the issue purely about eliminating HFCS or is about eliminating all/most sweetners?

For the record, I'm not arguing. I am confused.

Cutting out HFCS is a start. DD eats Honey nut cheerios every day, no HFCS, but lots of sugar. So, this time I bought a box of regular cheerios and honey nut, mixed them together in the container I use to store them........she hasn't said anything yet and has eaten 2 bowls of them! So, that's a way for me to reduce the sugar she gets as well!

I gave up regular Coke about 2 weeks ago, now drinking no sodas at all........had a regular coke at work on Tuesday...........felt like #$%$ and was evil mommy all night! WOW! I had craved it before that "experiment", don't crave it anymore!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I too have given up soft drinks, and absolutely don't miss them one bit. My bad habit was *diet* Mountain Dew, and I just wanted off of all the artificial sweeteners. I now brew tea everymorning for ice tea throughout the day. Sometimes I make green tea. I feel so much better not to mention all the $$ I'll be saving by not drinking soda (tea bags are cheap!).

 

[Belle2667]

I too have given up soft drinks, and absolutely don't miss them one bit. My bad habit was *diet* Mountain Dew, and I just wanted off of all the artificial sweeteners. I now brew tea everymorning for ice tea throughout the day. Sometimes I make green tea. I feel so much better not to mention all the $$ I'll be saving by not drinking soda (tea bags are cheap!).

I've quit the soda thing too, and I'm doing green tea alternated with some grapefruit juice (or other all natural fruit juice) mixed with some seltzer water for that fizz-fix I need sometimes. I'm surprised as well at how much better I feel already, and it's only been 2 weeks! I do miss the convenience of grabbing a 20 oz soda when I'm on the go, and water just doesn't do it for me, but my health is worth the inconvenience.

My DS11 is doing the same thing. He quit soda and reads all the labels looking for HFCS as well! My DH and DS16 aren't amused, but they humor us and go along with things as long as flavors don't change too much.

 

[jrmasm]

In the last few years we've learned not all fats are equal. Olive oil has benefits whereas Trans Fats are dangerous.

Here is an article that discusses why HFCS is more harmful then table sugar:

Fructose- and it's "steroid" version known as high-fructose corn syrup- have become "ubiqui-foods". They're everywhere, we consume them in insanely high amounts, and the health costs are just beginning to be recognized. New research points to some of the possible consequences.

In one study, overweight and obese adults were instructed to eat their usual diet along with sugar sweetened beverages. One group was asked to consume 25% of the day's calorie requirement as a specially made beverage sweetened with glucose. The other group was given an identical beverage sweetened with fructose. Both groups were allowed to eat as little or as much of their usual diet as they wanted, but were required to drink the sugar beverages.

Not surprisingly, all subjects gained weight. But the fructose-consuming subjects gained intra-abdominal fat, whereas the glucose subjects did not.

Why does this matter? Because intra-abdominal fat- the kind that makes you more of an apple than a pear- is the most dangerous kind of fat to carry around. It puts you at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease and a constellation of symptoms called Metabolic Syndrome, an almost certain path to either heart disease or diabetes. The fructose-consuming subjects also had increases in fasting insulin and in fasting glucose, both of which are associated with a greater risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Can you link me to the whole article? I'm hardly a statistician but there seem to be some pretty big assumptions made in that study.

Again, not arguing....

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Can you link me to the whole article? I'm hardly a statistician but there seem to be some pretty big assumptions made in that study.

Again, not arguing....

Here is the link http://www.jonnybowden.com/2007/08/dangers-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html

I know this guy is just a health advocate and is promoting a natural diet, so it's true he could have an agenda.

Here is a link from the Presidents Cancer Panel in which it is suggested the usage of HFCS be reduced.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/16/health/webmd/main3175544.shtml

A Science Daily article http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823094819.htm


And here is an article written by a OB/BYN NP:

http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/highfructosecornsyrup.asp

Lastly there is a pro HFCS site at www.hfcsfacts.com which is registered by the Corn Refiners Association, 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.
So I would be suspect of this as well.

 

[tbrenk]

I've quit the soda thing too, and I'm doing green tea alternated with some grapefruit juice (or other all natural fruit juice) mixed with some seltzer water for that fizz-fix I need sometimes. I'm surprised as well at how much better I feel already, and it's only been 2 weeks! I do miss the convenience of grabbing a 20 oz soda when I'm on the go, and water just doesn't do it for me, but my health is worth the inconvenience.

My DS11 is doing the same thing. He quit soda and reads all the labels looking for HFCS as well! My DH and DS16 aren't amused, but they humor us and go along with things as long as flavors don't change too much.

I envy you. I need to do this. I love Pepsi. Some people drink coffee in the AM, I drink a 20 oz bottle of Pepsi..has to be ice cold. Did you find that you got headaches when you stopped?