Did you know there’s a hidden sweetener lurking in many foods that’s bad for your waistline?
No, I don’t mean sugar, although that’s a good guess. It’s a food additive called high-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS. Several decades ago, manufacturers discovered that HFCS was cheaper to use than natural sugar, so they started using it to sweeten foods including frozen meals, juices, even bread! Unfortunately unlike real sugar, HFCS interferes with hormones that would normally regulate our appetites and blood sugar. In the long run, HFCS converts to fat in our bodies more quickly, and it causes us to store more fat. Many doctors believe that eating large amounts of HFCS is directly linked to our rising rates of diabetes and obesity. How can you avoid this syrupy trap? Look for organic foods, all natural foods, and sugar-free foods whenever possible. Regular soda is one of the highest sources of HFCS, so if you drink water or calorie-free beverages, you’ll be ahead of the game. Be sure to read the food labels when you shop. If HFCS is listed first or second on the label, this is bad news because it’s considered one of the food’s main ingredients.
Stay vigilant about what you put into your body and your efforts will pay off!
credit: Jorge Cruise
10:20 pm
I have diabetes. Thank you. I do avoid it when I know it is there, but now I will look at everything!
12:17 am
You are always a great source of info, Jane! Thanks!
6:58 am
Thanks for the heads-up. I knew it wasn’t good for you, but now I know why.
8:37 am
Thanks for the info, Jane.
1:39 pm
It’s in my prescious ketchup. When I first heard about it I looked it up.
I won’t totally give up my ketchup but one thing about it, I’m not eating fried foods and that was where the majority of my ketchup came into my diet.
12:38 pm
There are a lot of people with food allergies to corn syrup, too. They just don’t know it - and end up diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, common allergies, etc. and take meds.
I’d say it’s easier to alter your diet than become dependent on meds, but it’s also damn near impossible to find something at a grocery store in a package without that ingredient.