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

[Belle2667]

Hi -

Drinks are one of the hardest things for my kids to replace! While I like the no HFCS in 100% juice, I have to water it down or they get too much sugar. Then they complain that it tastes funny. Propel is a big replacement drink in our house.

As far as sports drinks, DS16 like Accelerade. One of the other brands in the health food section is yucky (or so he says). Sorry, I can't remember the name, but I know I ended up giving some away.

It takes us forever to go food shopping, but we're all doing so much better since we cut HFCS and started eating healthier! Finally the food industry seems to be catching on.

 

[wowsmom]

I just had this website sent to me by one of my anti HFCS pals. It's old fashion soda's made with cane sugar. The per unit price doesn't look so bad but I do wonder how much 24 filled glass bottles would cost to ship.

http://www.retrosoda.com/

It's getting easier and easier for me to do this!

Oh my...they have Dr Pepper made with cane sugar.

 

[gonemousin']

I just had this website sent to me by one of my anti HFCS pals. It's old fashion soda's made with cane sugar. The per unit price doesn't look so bad but I do wonder how much 24 filled glass bottles would cost to ship.

http://www.retrosoda.com/

It's getting easier and easier for me to do this!

Yeah...that's where it gets me...I looked into that website a couple weeks ago when I was trying to find passover (sugar cane) coke (still nothing in my area, darn it!) and their shipping costs to CT were CRAZY - like $50.

 

[challer]

I happened to catch the Coke vender restocking in a local store and asked about the non-HFCS bottled coke and he had no clue.

Here's a hint - take a close look at the coke bottles in your supermarket. Some may have yellow caps on them. Those have a special sign on them that means Kosher for Passover - meaning HFCS free. However, these bottles may only be distributed to regions that have large jewish communities.

 

[gardengirlco]

As far as sports drinks, DS16 like Accelerade. One of the other brands in the health food section is yucky (or so he says). Sorry, I can't remember the name, but I know I ended up giving some away.

Was it Blue Sky Blue Sport? It doesn't have HFCS and I got it at the health food store. I think it's pretty good and my DS liked it.

 

[Belle2667]

Was it Blue Sky Blue Sport? It doesn't have HFCS and I got it at the health food store. I think it's pretty good and my DS liked it.

No, I never heard of Blue Sky Sport. I checked with DS last night and it was Recharge or something like that. He just didn't like the taste. As far as the Accellerade, I know GNC carries it but it costs alot more there than the local supermarket, though not all of the supermarket carry it.

 

[Sehsun]

I received an email from Kraft the other day showing the Capri Suns will now be made without HFCS.

Apparently some of the large food companies are getting a clue!

That's wonderful!! I really enjoyed Capri Suns as a child!

Yes, I believe Kraft is doing pretty well in improving their products. I wrote to Kraft 3 years ago and told them how I loved Post Honey Bunches of Oats (cereal), but then I realized that it contained partially hydrogenated oils in it. I wrote that I wished they would eliminate that ingredient.

I am unsure of when they made the change (somewhere around '06 perhaps?), but you will see that Honey Bunches of Oats does not contain partially hydrogenated oils anymore.

I still have the email if anyone would like to see what they wrote back to me. They were very kind!

 

[luv2laugh]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking on this thread from the beginning and have finally decided to post. I'm sorry if any of this has been mentioned before but 34 pages is a lot of info!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Heinz's "Reduced Sugar" and "One-Carb" Ketchups are both HFCS free!

I emailed Potbelly Sandwich Works (A sandwich chain) and asked for a list of their bread ingredients - they're HFCS free too!

Unfortunately, (after quite a bit of searching!) Subway's wheat bread contains HFCS No more Turkey on Wheat's for me! I was pretty surprised that a chain that prides itself on being "healthy" has HFCS in their bread!

 

[elgerber]

I am fairly new to trying to avoid the HFCS, so forgive me if this has been covered, but I have a question. If an item lists "corn syrup" in the ingredients, but not HFCS, is that as bad? I would prefer regular sugar, but I am just starting to check out labels, and want to know what's what.

Thanks!

 

[wowsmom]

I am fairly new to trying to avoid the HFCS, so forgive me if this has been covered, but I have a question. If an item lists "corn syrup" in the ingredients, but not HFCS, is that as bad? I would prefer regular sugar, but I am just starting to check out labels, and want to know what's what.

Thanks!

Corn syrup is okay. It's the High Fructose Corn Syrup you want to look out for.

 

[elgerber]

Corn syrup is okay. It's the High Fructose Corn Syrup you want to look out for.

Thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

I am fairly new to trying to avoid the HFCS, so forgive me if this has been covered, but I have a question. If an item lists "corn syrup" in the ingredients, but not HFCS, is that as bad? I would prefer regular sugar, but I am just starting to check out labels, and want to know what's what.

Thanks!

It depends on your reasons for giving it up.

For us, corn syrup is just as evil, b/c DS still has a horrible reaction to it. Corn syrup solids, too (bye bye dole whips at disney). And DH has a reaction, too.

If no one in your family has reactions like that, if it's just for general health reasons, then corn syrup isn't as bad as HFCS.



Wanted to mention, for those of you with small kids who like little drink boxes, the Hansen's brand juices with Clifford on the boxes are "safe". We get the organic ones, but even the conventional ones are JUST juice. Though we bought the conventional by mistake and found that we like the organic flavors better.

 

[ohiominnie]

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about HFCS. Interesting...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fructose_corn_syrup

 

[wowsmom]

It depends on your reasons for giving it up.

For us, corn syrup is just as evil, b/c DS still has a horrible reaction to it. Corn syrup solids, too (bye bye dole whips at disney). And DH has a reaction, too.

If no one in your family has reactions like that, if it's just for general health reasons, then corn syrup isn't as bad as HFCS.



Wanted to mention, for those of you with small kids who like little drink boxes, the Hansen's brand juices with Clifford on the boxes are "safe". We get the organic ones, but even the conventional ones are JUST juice. Though we bought the conventional by mistake and found that we like the organic flavors better.

Ya know, after I answered about that, I thought about you and your family...

Oh, and when we were in DL last Sunday, as we walked by the Tiki Room, DS10 said "remember that person on DISboards whose kid can't eat Dole Whips?" So even though we don't know you, we were thinking about you!

And just to verify...the Dole Whips have corn syrup solids - not HFCS? For some reason, I was thinking they had HFCS, but was too lazy to go back and read the whole thread again. My kids will be happy to know they can still have them. (We skipped them the other day.)

 

[PoohHappens]

I have been watching this thread for a while. We also think HFCS is evil. Wanted to mention a few things I ran into yesterday. We do not normally allow juice boxes etc at home, especially ones that are not juice. However I found the first box of Capri Suns I have seen with the No HFCS label on it. Sure enough it is now sweetened with sugar. I only saw it on the Strawberry Kiwi. I was looking at them because the other day my snacks were shunned by the neighbor kids. Several were over playing and I brought out water and cantelope chunks with toothpicks for the kids. They left within about 5 minutes and were saying hey lets see if we have got some popsicles. And sure enough the mom accross the street had some, but not to worry according to the kids they are surgar free No artificial sweetners here either.

My son had a special request for capri suns like the other kids. I allowed one box. I shouldn't have done it, its a slippery slope you know.
Anyway I also found some other bread. We always use the Kirkland Multigrain which is still better, but for something to pick up quick.... Aunt Millie's Homestyle 100% whole wheat bread says right on the package no HFCS and sure enough only sugar and molasses. It is on sale at Meijer today for .87 a loaf. I also had a .35 off coupon that mejer doubles so .17
for the loaf. I hope more companies continue to produce more items.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I live in a rural area. Of course there is a Super Wal-Mart, a Sav-a-Lot (basically off brands, I find lower quality products- but people shop there because of the lower proces) and a Hannaford. I am trying to make some healthy choices for my family these days especially lately (DH is kicking and screaming about this ) I find that we are VERY, VERY limited on the brands and healthy food choices that are out there. The population in this area is not "into" making these kind of healthy product choices therefore the stores don't stock for the few that are wanting to buy good healthy products. There is a very small organic (and yes still need to check the labels on those) section at Hannaford even if it was a larger section - shopping that way would literally at least triple my grocery bill for my family of 6. I am finding it easy to want to make good choices but really hard to 1. Find the products that are healthy and 2. Be able afford some of the prices that good food is going for, the healthy products that are available are so expensive.

So what do you folks who live in areas with limited choices available and budget conscious do? I need to find a balance between healthy eating/product purchases and not completely blowing the budget on food.

 

[punkin]

You know, with corn prices getting into the astronomical range due to bio-fuel demand, sweetening products with sugar may become economical again.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Just wanted to let you know that I saw Kosher Pepsi in my Giant Eagle ad. I know these stores aren't everywhere, but thought I'd give a heads up that kosher pepsi also exists. I'll still be on the lookout for the Coke, though, it's DF's fav. Thanks for the tip on the kosher pancake syrup! I am way too not cooking skilled to make my own, easy as it may be, my toaster waffles need bottled syrup. I bought some guava syrup last week to try instead of regular (sugar sweetened).

I also bought the no-HFCS english muffins. I've the 100 calorie ones (which I'm pretty sure are just the regular ones, but they put a liiiiiittle bit less dough, lol) and they taste normal.

I can't bring myself to get rid of the Italian bread. I like some whole grains, but I like plain white toast... and I'm the only one in the house who eats bread, so I just don't want to waste all that money. I do sometimes buy fresh bread, I have wraps without HFCS, but I just can't do it on the Italian bread. Living in cali I couldn't find it, so back on the east I am LOVING having it available again.... I guess we all have weaknesses.

I just noticed that the chocolate milk I was buying at Kroger has HFCS. I guess I won't be buying that anymore. Oh well it was lowfat milk anyway; I'll get some nesquick and make it with my normal skim. Actually I saw some syrup in the mexican foods section .... but they're usually not as sweet.... guess I'll have to just try it.

The other day I had a craving for Raisin Bran and was excited that the Post one didn't have HFCS. I don't keep up with this thread as much so I just check labels on EVERYTHING I buy at the store. I am really trying to cut it out as much as I can without cutting out the foods I want.

 

[ohiominnie]

2. Be able afford some of the prices that good food is going for, the healthy products that are available are so expensive.

So what do you folks who live in areas with limited choices available and budget conscious do? I need to find a balance between healthy eating/product purchases and not completely blowing the budget on food.

We live in a fairly rural area too. We have a Kroger here and a wal*mart (I RARELY shop there and almost never for food). It's 20 minutes away to any other grocery store and 40 minute to Whole Foods. Kroger does have a "healthy" section where I can pick up a few things that I usually get at Whole Foods.

As for cost.....the way I look at it is:
Heart caths are expensive
Bariatric surgery is expensive
Knee replacements are expensive
Cancer surgeries and chemo are expensive
Rehab from a stroke is expensive
Funerals are expensive

If I can ward off those things by eating better, then it's worth it.

 

[rdevine10]

Ive been lurking on this thread a while too Thanks to you all, our family is making the switch to beinng HFCS free

Anyways, I just wanted mention a few products I found:

Juice Boxes: Juicy Juice & Apple & Eve are both ok as well

I 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc the Oganic Chocolate Syrup from Trader Joes- tried it this week, was fantastic!

And, DD loves pudding pops, which are filled with HFCS, so now I am making homemade pudding and freezing it in popscile form, its delish! (does contain cornstarch btw)

Stonyfield farm organic yogurt... OMG its so yummy!

My kids now love the Newmans own organic letter cookies (chocolate). Also, Earths Best makes some organic cookies, crackers that are safe too.

Im lucky, our Shaws has a huge Wild harvest- (organic, speciality section) that I shop through all the time! And, we have a trader Joes thats 20 min away... couple that with Costo (which does carry a few organic good things, Im keeping the budget pretty good).

thanks to all of you!!!!!! Ill keep reading and getting more ideas! Our famly thanks you all for our health!