Tuesday, December 21, 2010

"Just say no" to HFCS

Have you seen those annoying "high fructose corn syrup is just like sugar" ads on TV? The frumpy mom at the kids' birthday party, the carefree girl-and-boyfriend picnicking in the park? I can't stand those. They're so misleading. HFCS is *not* just like sugar, it's *not* natural, and it's nearly impossible to enjoy in moderation due to its increasing presence in so many foods. But often when people ask me *why* I avoid HFCS, my mind goes blank. I might stutter something like, "Because it's GROSS." I'm not great under pressure.

This article provides a short, to-the-point FYI in case you are the same, or even if you've never known why HFCS (I mean, corn sugar) is a nasty little bugger. It's one of the first things I cut out of my diet even before I had ever heard of clean eating.

If you're new to the clean eating scene and this is foreign-sounding to you, do yourself a favor and check out the labels on the foods and beverages you purchase and consume this week--even the ones that may already be in your fridge/pantry. You may be surprised at how many things contain HFCS. Chances are, for most of those products, either you'll find that you can buy or make a better (healthier, cleaner) alternative, or you don't need it all that badly after all.

5 comments:

  1. THANK YOU. Those ads make me sick...

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  2. Thanks for posting this. I've always wondered what the deal was with HFCS and why it was such a big deal. The article was really easy to understand and gave me some good information to look into. Thanks again!

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  3. I didn't realize how many condiments contain HFCS. I mean, applesauce, really? All you need to make applesauce is apples! Why add the extra trash?
    One of my next food-improvement tasks is going to be to weed through our condiments and learn how to make homemade versions of each one so that I know exactly what I'm feeding my family.

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  4. Unsweetened applesauce doesn't contain HFCS, but of course making it yourself is even better. :) I haven't quite gotten there on a regular basis, though!

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  5. Interesting article. Thanks for posting!

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