Which is worse to give a kid: high fructose corn syrup or splenda?

[NY Disney fan]

I know people say sugar is bad but I was wondering if both of these are bad for children? What is the best alternative? (ie: for baking, for pancakes, for hot cereal, etc).

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I know people say sugar is bad but I was wondering if both of these are bad for children? What is the best alternative? (ie: for baking, for pancakes, for hot cereal, etc).

Personally, I don't think any of them is particularly bad IN MODERATION. But I'm not really big into conspiracy theories, either.

 

[clovergirl5]

Out of the 3 to choose from, I would say plain sugar is the best to use. I would suggest honey or maple syrup HONEY ONLY IF KID IS OLDER THAN 1 THOUGH

 

[Wall-E1]

Out of the 3 to choose from, I would say plain sugar.

I agree. The other two things you listed are chemically altered products - definitely more harmful to a child than the real thing. Natural sugar is fine in moderation. In fact, the human body needs a certain amount of sugar.

 

[Sorsha]

We choose plain sugar, brown sugar, or honey. As long as they are used in moderation, I see no problem with these.

I avoid high fructose corn syrup WHENEVER possible... its avoidable for most items (except weird things like ketchup?!?!) if you are careful about your ingredient labels. Research indicates that it may cause almost an addiction, where the more you eat the more you crave.

I also NEVER give my kids artificial sweetners of ANY kind. I have a seizure disorder and was told by my neurologist that these can be bad trigger foods for seizures and migranes, and just generally are bad news neurologically.

I am still investigating Stevia. I am liking what I read, and I think we may give it a try. Wish it wasn't so stinking expensive though.

 

[honugirl]

Actually if you buy organic ketchup it is made with sugar instead of the corn syrup. It's the only organic food I buy because it reminds me of the ketchup in Canada, where they do use sugar... It tastes wayyyyyy better! Trader Joes has a very good version.

 

[jjarman]

DS had an allergy to corn syrup for a few years but has now pretty much grown out of it. You would be surprised how many products contain corn syrup. The only juice he could drink was orange juice or juicy juice brands.

 

[bookgirl]

Honestly I try to be moderate in both for the twins. (10 1/2) One is a decent eater but the other is awful, honestly he tried to eat only cool whip for dinner the other night.

I actually prefer splenda to all the other artificial sweetners. I have a friend who has reactions (migranes) to most artificial sweetners and who has a diabetic/autistic/seisure disorder son who also reacts. Splenda is the one sweetner that niether of them react to. Don't know if that is good or bad but seems to me that it's the least offensive.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We use regular sugar, sucanot for brown sugar when available, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or (my favorite sub) agave nectar.

B/c we were trying to avoid HFCS and CS for a while--the only way to do that often is via organic routes. But it seems regular brands are now going back to real sugar in their products and will post it on their lable when they do that.

I'm not as picky when I am pregant b/c I hate grocery shopping and eating during that time. While my m/s has mostly disappeared, I still get in a funk and get sick. So it becomes survival and I just don't care.

I like using Agave Nectar, but due to its liquid state, it can be tricky to work with in recipes and requires a little bit of trial and error. I like that it is low glycemic and when I can get back to reducing my sugars and eating healthier--that is what I use more often. It was very South Beach Friendly and it does not inspire cravings for sweets which often articifial sweeteners can do.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't add sugar, artificial sweeteners, or HFC to anything and don't have any of the 3 in the house. Of the 3 though I would use sugar. When in doubt go with the thing that actually exists in nature. The sugar substitute I would use if I did sweeten anything is Stevia. If you get it though make sure it is 100% pure.

 

[honugirl]

I can automatically pick out any sweetener other than sugar when I eat something. I hate buying something that I always buy and finding out when I drink it or eat it that they've added Stevia, Splenda, or any one of a dozen other crappy tasting pieces of junk. I bought the pomegranate Minute Maid Ice tea that I USED to love the other day, started drinking it and immediately had a reaction to it... they had added Stevia. YUCK!

I do use pure maple syrup and occasionally agave nectar, but mostly sugar, brown sugar and honey.

 

[jsmith]

If you must use one-High Fructose Corn Syrup is much safer than Splenda. It is an actual natural product that has simply had the fructose-fruit sugar content increased-splenda-sucralose-no matter how you slice is-is a chemical-it is in fact a cholrine molecule-chorline is a poison-pretty much no contest there. the best no calorie sweetner choice is Stevia-its plant derived and not an old ball chemical compound. Actual sugar is not a death trap used in moderation you know.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I am currently reading "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels which is about how the things we eat/drink affect our hormones which in turn affect our bodies in SO SO many ways. I won't bore you with all of the details but one of the most impressive (in a bad way) facts was that only 3,000 tons of HFCS was produced in 1967, today 9.2 million tons of HFCS are produced which means we're consuming a lot more than we should be. In the book she writes about how HFCS interacts with the hormone ghrelin and that it suppresses it's ability to tell you when you're full (this was the gist of it as I don't have the book in front of me right now). There's lots of studies on the numerous other affects HFCS has but she just stuck to things that had actually been proven (so far) in the book. Chemically made sweeteners are all bad for you (splenda and HFCS). Lots of studies are being done all of the time but it's yet to be seen if the generation that has been exposed to these artificial sweeteners the longest (the current kid population) will have any increases in cancer, diseases, etc. in relation to the artificial sweeteners. I highly recommend reading this book to everyone.

I use organic honey and agave nectar when I want to sweeten something up. I'm looking into Stevia too.

All things are ok in moderation. The problem is so many people do not realize what is in their food. HFCS is in many crackers, cookies, breads, pasta, ice cream (even the "all natural" kind), bagels, english muffins, some milk (especially chocolate), salad dressings, sauces, spaghetti sauces, peanut butter, jellies, etc. and when you're eating a little of those every day, it adds up to way more than "moderation".

 

[ChrisFL]

All things are ok in moderation. The problem is so many people do not realize what is in their food. HFCS is in many crackers, cookies, breads, pasta, ice cream (even the "all natural" kind), bagels, english muffins, some milk (especially chocolate), salad dressings, sauces, spaghetti sauces, peanut butter, jellies, etc. and when you're eating a little of those every day, it adds up to way more than "moderation".

Yes, it's crazy how you can't find stuff without it these days unless you buy organic stuff, etc.

I think it is a big part of the problems we're having that we didn't seem to have 30-40 years ago...our foods have changed a LOT.

 

[mhsjax]

Yes, it's crazy how you can't find stuff without it these days unless you buy organic stuff, etc.

I think it is a big part of the problems we're having that we didn't seem to have 30-40 years ago...our foods have changed a LOT.

I try and stay away from processed stuff, and I do buy some organic, however, give me my sweet n low or give me death. I have been using it since I was 12 and I am now 46 with no problems and my mom used it all of her life and died at 86. I know everyone is different, I hate splenda, and honey and sugar for that matter. I only like sweet n low. I will take my chances.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you must use one-High Fructose Corn Syrup is much safer than Splenda. It is an actual natural product that has simply had the fructose-fruit sugar content increased-splenda-sucralose-no matter how you slice is-is a chemical-it is in fact a cholrine molecule-chorline is a poison-pretty much no contest there. the best no calorie sweetner choice is Stevia-its plant derived and not an old ball chemical compound. Actual sugar is not a death trap used in moderation you know.

Except to process HFCS they have to put it through a mercury wash. Real sugar is the way to go. Why eat chemicals if you don't have to?

 

[FireDancer]

I am currently reading "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels which is about how the things we eat/drink affect our hormones which in turn affect our bodies in SO SO many ways. I won't bore you with all of the details but one of the most impressive (in a bad way) facts was that only 3,000 tons of HFCS was produced in 1967, today 9.2 million tons of HFCS are produced which means we're consuming a lot more than we should be. In the book she writes about how HFCS interacts with the hormone ghrelin and that it suppresses it's ability to tell you when you're full (this was the gist of it as I don't have the book in front of me right now). There's lots of studies on the numerous other affects HFCS has but she just stuck to things that had actually been proven (so far) in the book. Chemically made sweeteners are all bad for you (splenda and HFCS). Lots of studies are being done all of the time but it's yet to be seen if the generation that has been exposed to these artificial sweeteners the longest (the current kid population) will have any increases in cancer, diseases, etc. in relation to the artificial sweeteners. I highly recommend reading this book to everyone.

I use organic honey and agave nectar when I want to sweeten something up. I'm looking into Stevia too.

All things are ok in moderation. The problem is so many people do not realize what is in their food. HFCS is in many crackers, cookies, breads, pasta, ice cream (even the "all natural" kind), bagels, english muffins, some milk (especially chocolate), salad dressings, sauces, spaghetti sauces, peanut butter, jellies, etc. and when you're eating a little of those every day, it adds up to way more than "moderation".

Another good book is "Sweet Deception" by Dr. Mercola. It is not only about the dangers of artificial sweeteners but also about sugar lobby and their power. It is a good read. I'm a big fan of Dr. Mercola.

As far as knowing what is in the food, that is why I am a label reader. I never used to be but once you start it is amazing the stuff that is in the food we eat. It looks like a list of science experiments. I avoid as much processed food as I can now, especially anything like baked goods.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Another good book is "Sweet Deception" by Dr. Mercola. It is not only about the dangers of artificial sweeteners but also about sugar lobby and their power. It is a good read. I'm a big fan of Dr. Mercola.

As far as knowing what is in the food, that is why I am a label reader. I never used to be but once you start it is amazing the stuff that is in the food we eat. It looks like a list of science experiments. I avoid as much processed food as I can now, especially anything like baked goods.

Thanks! I'll definitely check it out. Books like that absolutely fascinate me.

My Dad had a heart attack back in August and has since been reading labels. He is still in shock over the things he thought were 'ok' before (I guess he never believed me before ). I actually enjoy reading the labels to see what can surprise me next.

 

[bicker]

Which is worse to give a kid: high fructose corn syrup or splenda?

High fructose corn syrup is worse.

 

[hedgehog2owl]

out of those two, I would choose hfcs. But I do strive not to give my child that if I can help it. (some bread has it!) But I would never willingly let my child have splenda.