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

[KerriL]

Ok...one more interesting but NASTY article. I have avoided Carmine for a LONG time but it does have different names!!
http://www.fitsugar.com/1125059

It is actually in my homeopathic medicine. Really nothing wrong with it. Gross maybe, but it's fine as long as you don't have an allergy to it. I'd rather have it in my food than red dye #40.
Kerri

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but I stumbled upon:

www.kingcorn.net

A documentary about HFCS in the US. Airs on PBS in April (click on the PBS link on the King Corn website to see when it airs near you).

Also, our library has the King Corn DVD.

There are several videos on YouTube if you type "King Corn" into its search engine.

 

[2bearsmom]

I buy the Back to Nature brand of cookies and crackers. They have round crackers similar to Ritz and graham cracker sticks too with no HFCS. I noticed the Super Walmarts have this brand too and the Annie's brand too (the bunny crackers and canned pasta's) For store bought jelly I love Cascadian Farm concord grape jelly, no HFCS, they use organic sugar. The first time I had it I couldn't believe how great it tasted, just like eating a concord grape! At $3-something for a 10 oz jar it's expensive but I think worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

This was interesting about:
Morningstar Farms Chicken Patties....

just because it's vegetarian doesn't mean it's healthy."

Definitely. It was MF that got us a couple months ago with whatever product it was....

Oh we were at a nice grocery store yesterday b/c we were taking a walk in the neighboor and hadn't been there for awhile. They had an end cap on their freezer/dessert section, and there were smaller-than-pint containers of "handcrafted" ice cream from Snoqualmie (an area around Seattle). We thought "ooh handcrafted, that must be good". I checked it out...it might be handcrafted, but they are doing so with BOTH HFCS and corn syrup! I was exhausted just reading the "handcrafted" ingredients. Note to manufacturers...if it had to be created in a lab, it shouldn't go into food.


There were three of you who gave advice about what DH could drink, thank you! I think the Gatorade might be "out", because of the dextrose. We're not sure how far the corn problem goes with either of them, and since dextrose is from corn we are careful with DS, and I don't know how daring DH is about it. But we'll look into the others!

On top of the the HFCS and possible corn issues he has discovered this year, he's got major food/eating issues from his childhood, so when he has to deny himself it causes troubles. The poor guy had never had apples with peanut butter until last week, because he was a "husky" child and while his sister and brother would have that as a snack, he was eating plain apples! While they were given ice cream, he had one popsicle. And so on and so forth. So of course he turned into a sneak eater and the problem got worse. Anyway, since now soda is forbidden, he's feeling deprived, and although he's getting better, Robert feeling deprived of one food leads to major over consumption of other foods. Poor guy. He's getting better, but it's still a struggle.

 

[Lisa06468]

This thread is way too long to read thru - but if you have a Trader Joes in your area, their stuff is all natual. The store is fantastic and its a relief to find snacks and cookies for the kids that arent loaded with junk. I did find several breads in my local store that are all natural and no HFCS. They are very tasty. I think one is called Ultimate Grains, cant recall what the other is that we tried, but I can look at the bag later.

There are several juice boxes out there that are 100% juice, nothing added. That is all I buy for the kids lunch boxes. Between HFCS and MSG, its a lot of label reading in the beginning at a regular supermarket.

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

This thread is way too long to read thru - but if you have a Trader Joes in your area, their stuff is all natual. The store is fantastic and its a relief to find snacks and cookies for the kids that arent loaded with junk. I did find several breads in my local store that are all natural and no HFCS. They are very tasty. I think one is called Ultimate Grains, cant recall what the other is that we tried, but I can look at the bag later.

There are several juice boxes out there that are 100% juice, nothing added. That is all I buy for the kids lunch boxes. Between HFCS and MSG, its a lot of label reading in the beginning at a regular supermarket.

You still have to check the Labels at Trader Joes. Some of their stuff DOES have HFCS and other things like partially hydronated oils.... A lot of their stuff is good though

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I do get the point about eating better and healthier, that is why I am making healthy changes in my family's diet. Point is and I think it is a valid point for many- most anything "good for you" costs at least three times more that your regular bands . I know that all those medical treatments are expensive as well as funerals. I wanted helpful direction to someplace I might be able to purchase products that are health friendly and might not also triple my food budget. So that I could make some more healthful decisions.

I understand where you are coming from. My grocery bill got higher when I started doing this, but now I'm pleased to say it is lower then it use to be.

My tricks:

I peruse the online sale ads for Safeway and Kroger so I know what produce & meat/seafood to design my menus around. I ignore pre-packaged and convenience foods.

I use Walmart Superstores for Kosher products (HFCS free) and staples, like Horizon Organic Yogurt, Organic breakfast cereals, cheeses, Paul Neumans' Organics (like spaghetti sauce and salad dressings), whole wheat pastas, canned beans, canned tomatoes, etc.

I've almost eliminated all convenience foods. Have started making my own stuffing, and most of our starch accompaniments are now baked potatoes or brown rice (cheap).

The tea cookies I buy (Kadeem -- at Walmart in the Kosher section) are 67 cents a pack....and they are yummy! I'm now buying yogurt in the big containers, so that is saving me money.

We also have a Whole Foods, and while too expensive for my budget, their house brand is reasonable and good! I buy their crackers, marinades, etc.

Also I'm loving the Safeway's Organics line ("O"). I'm able to buy their jams and bread (definitely a premium on those items).

Good luck It gets easier and I feel so much better. Haven't been trying to lose weight (though I need to), and was surprised at a recent trip to the Doctors that I was 10 pounds lighter then I expected to be (since Xmas).

What really surprised me about the weight loss is I've gone back to REAL butter, REAL sour cream and REAL mayonnaise. I'm just so tired of all the fakey stuff.

Once you learn what to build your menu's around, it really won't cost more! And it does get easier!

 

[bumbershoot]

You still have to check the Labels at Trader Joes. Some of their stuff DOES have HFCS and other things like partially hydronated oils.... A lot of their stuff is good though

And seemingly veggie items aren't.

I read all labels at TJ's, b/c even though they have a generous return policy, I don't like eating accidental meat!

I read all labels every time anyway, b/c companies change their recipes!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Wickles sweet relish does not have it, it's the only brand I have found that doesn't. It's not cheap, but it is yummy. Has anyone found a good BBQ sauce without it?

Do you have Whole Foods in your area? Most of their house brands (not all) are HFCS free....and are definately HFCS free if it says "Organic".

I've started making my own BBQ sauce. Surprisingly easy. Usually just tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, Worchestershire sauce, maybe some mustard powder, salt and pepper. Not just easy, but I usually have all these ingredients on hand.

 

[abeyst]

What really surprised me about the weight loss is I've gone back to REAL butter, REAL sour cream and REAL mayonnaise. I'm just so tired of all the fakey stuff.

How interesting about the weight loss. Are you still eating processed foods at all? I'm just wondering if your weight loss is coming from reducing other things along with HFCS - like starches or some 'middle aisle' items, as I call them!


If you're in the Great Lakes area, Meijer now has an 'organics' line. Has anyone checked them out yet? I'll be looking at them on Tuesday when I go shopping.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

How interesting about the weight loss. Are you still eating processed foods at all? I'm just wondering if your weight loss is coming from reducing other things along with HFCS - like starches or some 'middle aisle' items, as I call them!


If you're in the Great Lakes area, Meijer now has an 'organics' line. Has anyone checked them out yet? I'll be looking at them on Tuesday when I go shopping.

I can't say I never buy something pre-packaged. Now and then I buy HFCS free cookies, and I occasionally pick up Natural Potato chips (mostly for my DH and DD). I also continue to buy canned beans, tomatoes, olives, etc.

I"m still eating starches, but they are pretty complex or at least not processed. We eat rice (usually brown), pasta (usually wheat), and baked potatoes. I keep raw, unsalted nuts around for our parrot, and have developed a taste for them. Now I can't stand the roasted, salted varieties.

I think it's going back to real food. I started to think about how my mom cooked in the 60's an 70's....there was no hamburger helper, or frozen lasagnas. Now her recipes were loaded with butter and cream. I've lightened them up a bit, but I've gone back to real butter and real cream.

My DH and I have taken two trips to Europe, both for three weeks, and we both lost 15 pounds on each trip. We were eating REAL food, and we weren't trying to diet. I think if you eat food that's less processed, and tastes good you are satisfied with less. I also feel that HFCS is a huge culprit as it screws up your bodies ability to feel full, among other things.

I'm hoping to see more results as it's now warming up here and I hope to kick my walking program in high gear.

Thanks for asking! I only hope this approach to eating can help others as well.

 

[mjlewis23]

If you're in the Great Lakes area, Meijer now has an 'organics' line. Has anyone checked them out yet? I'll be looking at them on Tuesday when I go shopping.

Hi abeyst, you live right by my parents! (they live in Melvindale, MI, so nice to have that Meijer so close by in Allen Park). Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend the Meijer organics line! My DD eats the fruit rings (just like fruit loops) cereal like it is going out of style. I love them too. The Meijer Organic Ravioli (by the Chef Boyardee) is also much better than actual Chef Boyardee. Other things we have tried and love are the medium salsa, the chocolate chip cookies, and the cheese ducks (not their real name, but they are right there by the goldfish crackers). Oh, and the organic frozen waffles are really good too. I'm sure we've tried more, but these ones are recurring items in our cupboards. I think we've had the frozen pizza too, I remember not being too impressed with that, but I'm spoiled b/c I make my own pizza usually.

The best thing is that they are so reasonably priced. The fruit rings cost 2.99 when they are *not* on sale, which is much cheaper than most name brand cereals. The ravioli is only like 1.49 a can.

Have fun shopping!
Michelle

 

[bumbershoot]

Worchestershire sauce

Gah. If it's lee and perrins, read the ingredients.

 

[wowsmom]

Gah. If it's lee and perrins, read the ingredients.

Okay, you had me running to the fridge in the middle of eating my lunch! I have Von's brand worcestershire and it just has regular corn syrup in it.

I actually made my own worcestershire when my 13 yr old was about 2-3 years old. He was very sensitive to anything with peppers in it and we found out the hard way that worcestershire was not something he could tolerate.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sorry 'bout that.


Realized it just the other day at the store, when they were sampling BBQ sauce and I read the ingredients, and one of ITS ingredients was W sauce, and the parenthetical ingredients for that had it. OMG what a weird sentence. And we had a bottle in the cupboard and I checked it, but we only have lee and perrins.

 

[rileysmommy]

I've read through most of this thread and when I went grocery shopping last week I really looked at my labels. Fortunately most of the things I bought do not contain HFCS. The only things that did were my bread (I really tried hard to find one but couldn't) and the fruit/cereal bars that my kids eat. It's not in our yogurt and I was able to find hot dog and hamburger rolls without it. So I guess my kids aren't getting as much of this stuff as I thought, which is a good thing.

 

[LisaY]

I was surprised that out of all these posts no one has mentioned VitaTops or VitaMuffins. They are very healthy as far as I can tell and no HFCS or partially hydrogenated oils. Lots of fiber and great snacks/breakfasts for those wanting to lose weight. The web site is vitalicious.com. Also, I just bought Capri Sun at Sam's yesterday and it is clearly listed on the package that there is no high fructose corn syrup! Great news that some companies are listening!

 

[katerkat]

I have Heinz Wor. Sauce and it has HFCS. Boo. (We haven't thrown away anything since I eliminated HFCS - just not purchased anything with it in it!)

Has anyone found fruit snacks without it? That's one thing Russ really wants and doesn't understand why he can't have it - I've not been able to find ANY without the HFCS. I tried convincing him dried apples were the same. He doesn't believe me.

Bumbershoot, have you tried the Franz Bakery's new breads? http://usbakery.com/index.php?page=variety-breads We love the Big Horn Valley and Oregon Trail whole wheat.

 

[abeyst]

Hi abeyst, you live right by my parents! (they live in Melvindale, MI, so nice to have that Meijer so close by in Allen Park). Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend the Meijer organics line!

The best thing is that they are so reasonably priced. The fruit rings cost 2.99 when they are *not* on sale, which is much cheaper than most name brand cereals. The ravioli is only like 1.49 a can.

Have fun shopping!
Michelle

Hi Michelle! What a small world! And I love the new Meijer being so close! Thanks for all the tips on your favs - I'll check them out Tuesday (payday ). BTW, they are ON SALE this week!


So, to save me from reading the entire thread, can someone tell me if both CS and HFCS are bad for you, or is HFCS the only bad one?

 

[gonemousin']

Speaking of things not allowed as a child but nowadays compared to the alternatives it's almost healthy...I'm now rethinking KoolAid for DH and sometimes for me. (not that I have a say over what DH drinks, but I do most of the shopping and his consuming HFCS does affect me since he responds to it by getting so tired he nearly passes out) He's just so tired of water, and his milk consumption has skyrocketed, but then he thinks that's bad b/c his snoring has gotten SO bad and his throat feels gunky when he drinks so much milk, and he just needs something else... KoolAid, who'd'a thunk it? (now let's hope hubby doesn't have issues with Red 40 dye, eh?)

Something for you to consider, depending on your taste preferences...Lipton Sugar Sweetened Iced Tea Mix (Natural Lemon Flavor) - I buy a 5lb 12oz container of it at BJ's for DH & I (I think it's $7-8). Here are the ingredients word for word:

SUGAR, CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS), INSTANT TEA POWDER, SILICON DIOXIDE (PREVENTS CAKING), NATUAL LEMON FLAVOR, RED 40

It does contain the red dye 40 and is certainly not the healthiest beverage on the planet, but it was a good compromise for us when we eliminated soda and my favorite cranberry juice cocktail (sigh)...so now we pretty much just drink the iced tea, water, and milk. And the funny thing is...I rarely drink the iced tea anymore either...mostly just water. Never thought I'd see the day, LOL!