Who here monitors the High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) in their diet? Someone directed me to this excellent article earlier today:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2005/05/01/4274.html

Here is a brief summary:

Common Foods High in HFCS

Regular soft drinks
Fruit juice and fruit drinks that are not 100 percent juice
Pancake syrups
Popsicles
Fruit-flavored yogurts
Frozen yogurts
Ketchup and BBQ sauces
Jarred and canned pasta sauces
Canned soups
Canned fruits (if not in its own juice)
Breakfast cereals
Highly sweetened breakfast cereals

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Problems Caused by Too Much HFCS

It can lead to higher caloric intake
It can lead to an increase in bodyweight
It fools your body into thinking it’s hungry
It increases the amount of processed foods you eat, thereby decreasing your intake of nutrient-dense foods
It may increase insulin resistance and triglycerides

I personally don't worry about foods where it is not listed high in the ingredient list but have been trying to find alternatives for other items. For instance I switched to Organic Ketchup although I eat very little of that.

Luckily for me I eat very little foods high in HFCS so I don't stress too much. But this is food for thought for other members.

Lori

Religiously. Being a vegetarian, I have to read labels anyway (animal fat and gelatin sneak into the strangest things). I will not buy a product with HFCS in it. Period. It makes finding things like low-calorie salad dressings more challenging and more expensive - but my health is worth it.

Along these lines, does anyone avoid corn altogether? I've seen some interesting things on how bad corn itself is. One of the most interesting things I've heard was when it was pointed out that corn is what farmers feed to cows and other livestock to fatten them up! I try to avoid eating a lot of corn (e.g. I don't purchase it plain or order it as a side at a restaurant), but I don't avoid it completely. In general, I don't trust research that says to cut something that's natural, especially a veggie (though I know corn is high starch).

I avoid HFSC as much as possible. Actually I avoid any processed food that has a ton of ingredients that I can't find in my own kitchen!

I'm sure that I do still have some in my diet due to eating out occasionally, but I do make a big effort to not consume it if at all possible. On top of all the reasons already mentioned I'm disturbed by the GMO aspect of HFCS. Regardless of whether the corn is a GMO they use an enzyme in the manufacturing process that has to be genetically modified for the process to work. It's a franken-food and it's a bit frightening how many of these "foods" end up in the food supply.

Scenestealer~ I don't think of corn the vegetable as being bad either. I do think most of the things that they synthesize it into are bad news though and it's pretty much impossible to remember all of the food additives that are made from corn. You'd have to take a PDA to the grocery store with you. Lol. As far as livestock is concerned, I think we'd all be healthier if animals were fed a diet that nature intended (grass etc.), but that's a whole different conversation... (you don't want to get me started )

I had never heard not to eat corn although there has always been the debate as to whether it is a vegetable or a grain. I believe technically it is a grain but people prepare and eat it as a vegetable. As a vegetable it is definitely not the best choice for calories and nutrients.

I don't eat much corn but I certaintly do love it when you can buy ears fresh in the market.

Lori

I definately avoid HFCS as much as possible. I don't buy a product with it, especially if there is an alternative. And salad dressing and premade products are bad for it.
As far as corn, I eat it once or maybe twice per month, but not much at a time. Although, I really like it.

I try and stay away from the stuff and trans fat. That's one reason why I make my own condiments is they are loaded with that crap. I'll eat corn because it's pretty much in a natural state and hasn't completely been jacked up by man.

I also make my own condiments to avoid HFCS. I do buy bread that lists it in the ingredients, but I only eat 3 - 4 pieces of bread a month, so I'll chance it. I have avoided corn for the most part, but one of the members on 3FC pointed out that the type of corn used to fatten up livestock is completely different from the corn sold for us to eat. So I've started adding it back in my diet in small amounts, as a starch, NOT as a vegetable.

I NEVER eat any of the foods in your list and I read all labels. I've learned that you can never assume it isn't in your food. I've taken the attitude that it is probably in any convenience or processed food. If it's not, I'm pleasantly surprised.