No more HFCS in Rice Krispies!!

[C.Ann]

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/10-major-agers

Oh - okay.. Thanks for the reply.. Unfortunately I don't consider that a reliable scientific source..

 

[PatsMom]

Since I've seen a few other diabetics give their experiences here, I will pass mine along also.

I'm a Type I diabetic (juvenile, Insulin-dependent). I try to avoid HFCS as much as possible. Corn is very high on the glycemic index, which means it tends to spike blood sugars a lot quicker than other carbs. My insulin dosages are based on the amount of carbs per meal, but that gets tricky when it comes to HFCS. Insulin has a set "reaction time" to take care of the sugar/carbs that I'm eating. Since HFCS is corn based an immediate spike in my levels normally will result in higher readings 1 to 2 hours after my meal. Foods that are not made with HFCS tend to ease my levels higher, which allows for the insulin I've taken to better deal with the sugar in my system, keeping my numbers more normalized.

I'm not saying this will apply to everyone, but a lot of diabetics see the same increases with corn-based products. Just wanted to put another side of the story out there.

I'm curious - does corn syrup have the same effect? I am a type II diabetic and I don't really see any difference in my readings. But then again, I don't really pay much attention to what the sweetener is, just the total carbs. And I almost never have stuff that I know has a lot of any sweetener, like desserts! And never sugary sodas.

I like the American Diabetes Association's approach to HFCS - limit consumption but only because you should be limiting consumption of most of the foods that usually contain it anyhow. And also limiting your intake of any sugary foods.

http://forecast.diabetes.org/diabetes-101/sugar-defined

 

[LiberalPrincess]

And I almost never have stuff that I know has a lot of any sweetener, like desserts! And never sugary sodas.

I like the American Diabetes Association's approach to HFCS - limit consumption but only because you should be limiting consumption of most of the foods that usually contain it anyhow. And also limiting your intake of any sugary foods.

http://forecast.diabetes.org/diabetes-101/sugar-defined

I think this is one of the best points made on this thread. If people are looking for HFCS on labels because they are trying to avoid sugars, and they also check labels for other added sugars, that makes perfect sense to me. Why have added sugar of any kind in products that don't need it. That is simply being more health aware and is a great thing.

However, the other argument here, that HFCS is inherently worse for people than sugar just doesn't prove scientifically sound. No matter how many times people mention chemicals or buzz words like "man-made" it just doesn't change the facts of what HFCS actually is and how it is made. If you go on to read the rest of what Dr. Oz says, he is just as opposed to overloading on sugar. His argument is not about the supposed chemicals in HFCS or even the enzymatic process, in fact he admits that sugar has the same affect on the brain, he is more advising to look for HFCS in places where sugars of any kind are not needed. And he is strongly against too much fructose. And for those recommending honey and agave syrup as a substitute for HFCS? Agave syrup, specifically, often has 50 percent more fructose than HFCS.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I'm curious - does corn syrup have the same effect? I am a type II diabetic and I don't really see any difference in my readings. But then again, I don't really pay much attention to what the sweetener is, just the total carbs. And I almost never have stuff that I know has a lot of any sweetener, like desserts! And never sugary sodas.

I like the American Diabetes Association's approach to HFCS - limit consumption but only because you should be limiting consumption of most of the foods that usually contain it anyhow. And also limiting your intake of any sugary foods.

http://forecast.diabetes.org/diabetes-101/sugar-defined

Yes, anything corn related causes the spike in my sugars. I have to be very cautious with the amount of HFCS that I have during my meals.

I'm on multiple daily injections, which is basically pump therapy without the pump. It allows me the freedom to eat even the most sugary of foods out there (Hot fudge sundaes!) so long as I cover with my insulin.

Actually my numbers have been great for a long time (A1C is usually about 5.8-6.0), but, as I said I really watch when it comes to HFCS, since it can creep up on me if I'm not careful.

YMMV though. As much as I'm for everyone watching out for themselves, when HFCS is finding its way into anything and everything (even things I'd never even expect), then I start to get a little upset. I mean, I don't want to have to eat rabbit food for the rest of my life!

 

[PatsMom]

Yes, anything corn related causes the spike in my sugars. I have to be very cautious with the amount of HFCS that I have during my meals.

I'm on multiple daily injections, which is basically pump therapy without the pump. It allows me the freedom to eat even the most sugary of foods out there (Hot fudge sundaes!) so long as I cover with my insulin.

Actually my numbers have been great for a long time (A1C is usually about 5.8-6.0), but, as I said I really watch when it comes to HFCS, since it can creep up on me if I'm not careful.

YMMV though. As much as I'm for everyone watching out for themselves, when HFCS is finding its way into anything and everything (even things I'd never even expect), then I start to get a little upset. I mean, I don't want to have to eat rabbit food for the rest of my life!

Thanks for the answer. But where they are removing HFCS its my understanding that they are replacing it with other sweeteners. Example is the ketchup that someone mentioned. For example, if you look at the ingredients for Simply Heinz ketchup, there is no HFCS listed but there are 4 gm of sugar per serving. So at least for me, I got to include that in my carb count. I can't cover with more insulin since I was able to give it up when I switched to Byetta injections. So to me it makes no difference whether it is HFCS or ketchup hidden in there!

 

[MzDiz]

Real Science -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

It talks mostly about fructose in general, but does a good job in illustrating the difference between the sugars.

 

[wtccheermom]

Go for it, I'm not trying to stop you. I honestly couldn't possibly care less about what you eat, lady. Smoke too, do it up. My problem is with two issues - the first being that the general public is being misled into believing that HFCS and cane sugar are basically the same thing, the second being that sugar of any kind is in everything and nearly inescapable. HFCS is the second or third ingredient in canned tomato soup. In soup. Something that most people assume is healthy. It's sugar soup. That's beyond messed up. It's not "just calories" or carbs, all the point and exchange systems make people lazy and fat. People need to be educated on what they should eat and WHY they should eat it.
C.Ann, I know that you're thin and your doctor wants you to gain weight, but if you do that the wrong way you're going to end up being a 100 pound diabetic with heart disease and everyone will pretend they have no idea how that happened.

just a quick question you talk about HFCS and chemicals being bad but yet I am assuming the person in your avatar is you and I know you were not born with that hair color and last time I checked( when I get my haired colored) the chemicals in hair dye are pretty potent. Your right too much sugar is bad but I don’t need you, the government, or food companies telling me what I should feed my family. We definitely eat healthy but my kids are very active and allowed to have sugar in moderation in any form and they are very healthy (knock on wood) and both very thin.

 

[Geoff_M]

It is not fake science

When looking at published research, I think here's what we can say... By and large, the human body absorbs cane sugar the same way that it does HFCS. However, evidence does suggest that there may be some incremental health risks in the over-consumption of HFCS versus other sweeteners. But the over-consumption of other types of sweeteners generally also carry the same sorts of health risks and therefore aren't really "safer".

Calorie for calorie, moderate consumption of HFCS doesn't seem to trigger health concerns in general. A new study published by Tufts University (and yes, sponsored by Pepsi) finds that two sets of women that ate a "weight maintenance" caloric diet (one set given beverages sweetened by sucrose, the other sweetened with HFCS) and followed over 10 weeks showed no difference in weight changes. The also monitored levels of blood sugar, insulin, and satiety hormones and found no differences.

I see what happens to my kids when they have HFCS and when the didn't. Others have posted the difference in their family members.

I don't doubt that some people have health issues with HFCS, particularly those sensitive to corn-based products. But I think it's safe to say that the group of people with actual sensitivities is a lot smaller than those that claim it. In addition, anecdotal self-reporting is one of the most unreliable means to determine causation. This isn't to say that self-reporting is always wrong, but it just don't come close to controlled/blinded testing.

 

[wtccheermom]

I also wanted to add that both my children when they were babies would become very constipated and I had several pediatricians and a ER doctor all tell me to give them a bottle with water and a teaspoon of corn syrup to fix the problem. Both of my children turned out fine and are well behaved and my oldest is very athletic and does well in school. I am sure my 2 year old will be the same despite his intake of that scary old corn syrup!

And we they do have their moments and miss behave it becasue they are acting like brats and there is no one or anything to blame but themselves for losing control which is what kids do at times.

 

[C.Ann]

Doctor Oz? I'll stick with the Mayo Clinic's opinion that HFCS is no worse for you than any other added sweetener.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588

Have to agree with you here.. If I really wanted to, I could call my nephew - who is a doctor (currently doing research in one of the best hospitals in the Boston area) - but I don't think he would fancy me bothering him at work over an HFCS dispute on a Disney board... LOL..

For now, the Mayo Clinic will do.. Interesting read..

 

[Geoff_M]

Real Science -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

It talks mostly about fructose in general, but does a good job in illustrating the difference between the sugars.

However, keep in mind that this is one doctor's views on the issue. Lustig also has his critics that point out some of his loose handling of some of the key facts and some self-contradictions: The bitter truth about fructose alarmism.

 

[pigletgirl]

I wouldn't eat a sugar cereal anyway, but I wonder if this will change the quality of the rice crispie when used for desserts and such.

 

[PatsMom]

I wouldn't eat a sugar cereal anyway, but I wonder if this will change the quality of the rice crispie when used for desserts and such.

Rice Krispies are not generally thought of as a sugar cereal. They are actually a good example that lots of foods that you don't expect to have sweeteners.

 

[Colleen27]

Thanks for the answer. But where they are removing HFCS its my understanding that they are replacing it with other sweeteners. Example is the ketchup that someone mentioned. For example, if you look at the ingredients for Simply Heinz ketchup, there is no HFCS listed but there are 4 gm of sugar per serving. So at least for me, I got to include that in my carb count.

And that's where label reading makes a big difference. I stopped buying products with HFCS before the major brands started removing it, and the organic ketchup I switched to has 2g of sugar per serving. Recently my in-laws hosted a party and sent home a bottle of Simply Heinz (their HFCS-free line) and none of us like it as well. Why? Because we are all used to the less sweet ketchup that tastes like the Hunts in a glass bottle that my grandmother used to buy when I was a kid, and Heinz, regardless of how it is sweetened, is simply too sweet and too smooth. The organic brand is more tomato-y, thicker, and has more "body"/texture to it.

Right now I think HFCS is getting a lot of flack not only because of what it is but also because of what it represents - the overall changes in American mass-produced food to appeal to the natural/biological attraction to sweeter foods.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I wouldn't eat a sugar cereal anyway, but I wonder if this will change the quality of the rice crispie when used for desserts and such.

Since it was orginally made with just sugar why do you think it would change the quality of desserts??

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Since it was orginally made with just sugar why do you think it would change the quality of desserts??

Maybe for the same reason many people think that switching to HFCS changes anything. Different people, different opinions.

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

My experience? I love Sierra Mist. they recently came out with a "natural" version, aka sugar instead of HFCS. While I still like it, I prefer the HFCS version. Go figure.

oh wow, i bought a 2 liter of that the other day, it was horrid ! i usually like the taste of the "real sugar" colas that have been re-introduced lately, but this one Stinks. It almost tasted like diet to me ! it didnt have much flavor or sweetness, i even thought maybe i had a bad bottle or something. Im glad im not the only one who thought this...

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I haven't read this whole thread, but I think it's really funny that someone is happy that the HFCS was removed from the product and so to celebrate, they're going to add marshmallows and butter to them.

Obesity etc. aside- why would anyone rather eat chemicals instead of whole foods? Does anyone really think that is good? Really? It reminds me of the people who say "We didn't know smoking was bad for you!" How could ANYONE have thought that was good? I certainly didn't need resaerch to tell me that.

I would venture to guess that most smokers know it's bad and choose to do it anyway.

 

[Planogirl]

Interesting thread. However, it only confirms my thinking that this product in moderation is fine. I also respect the Mayo Clinic's opinion.

 

[LBIJim]

Rice Krispies are not generally thought of as a sugar cereal. They are actually a good example that lots of foods that you don't expect to have sweeteners.

True.....plain corn flakes aren't thought of as a "sugar" cereal either, but check out the ingredients list on the box. They're loaded with sugar. Without the sugar they'd be practically inedible. Same with a lot of processed foods not associated with being sweet.

HFCS????? This year's "evil" food that has folks in a tizzy. Ho hum.

Better living through chemistry. (Old Dupont slogan)

Jim