Some time ago, I was asked this great question:
Faith
I had been planning to research and write a really detailed post, until I discovered that my Mother-in-Law had already written one!
12 Additives to Definitely Avoid
The only major item that I would add to the list is:
Corn Syrup (High Fructose Corn Syrup)
This corn-based sweetener is used in a wide variety of baked goods, canned fruit, fruit juices, beverages, jams, gum and more. One main concern is that it's form of sugar is fructose, rather than glucose. Glucose is used by our bodies as an energy source, but fructose is is metabolized and stored as a fat more than any other sugar. Because HFCS does not stimulate insulin or leptin, which help to regulate blood sugar and signal to us that we are full and need to stop eating, it most likely contributes to overeating and weight gain.
It contains no nutrients in and of itself, so it is nothing but a drain on our bodies, which must use stored energy and nutrients to digest and assimilate it. As I mentioned, it is corn- based, and most corn is genetically-modified. As well, processed foods have gradually become more and more corn-based, increasing our intake of this sugary grain and leading to more unbalance in our diets that tend to be grain-sugar-carb heavy and lacking in vegetables and high quality protein.
Of course, the goal is to avoid as many preservatives as possible, not just the ones that we know for certain are dangerous. The easiest way to do that is to eat a simple, whole foods diet and avoiding packaged and processed foods (but you all know that already, don't you? :)
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I haven’t see that commercial yet, but I bet it will make me hopping mad if I do! :)
And yes, just like the Gardasil ads… don’t even get me started, Megan!
Can I just say that I love having other like-minded gals to share this stuff with? You girls are the best! *mwah*
Oh my gosh, yes. That corn syrup commercial makes me almost as mad as the Gardasil commercials (One Less!) which I am sure you don’t have in Canada.
Anyway, great info. Like Danielle, I’ve only recently noticed how many products have HFCS in them. It’s alarming. Great link to your MIL’s article – thanks!!
That commercial makes me really mad too. It says that HFCS has the name nutrients as sugar and is fine in moderation. I’m pretty sure if your consuming a “normal” diet than you would be getting a lot of HFCS. I know people that will listen to that commercial and it is so frustrating.
I saw a commercial the other night saying that corn syrup wasn’t bad for you. My husband was laughing at me because I was pretty livid :) It was sponsored by some corn co.
Thanks for all you do to bring awareness to what we’re actually feeding ourselves and our family!
Have a blessed day!
Mandi
Oh, thanks for the insight! I’m hopping over to your MIL’s post too. Concern about HFCS is new to me, and I’ve been wanting to do some research about it. You’ve just saved me a lot of leg work.
I never really noticed how many food items had GFCS in it until I started to feed a baby. All I knew when he first started on solids was that it wasn’t good and I didn’t want it going into his body! Now that I know all the reasons to stay away from it (and do for the most part!)when I do consume it, I get horrible migraines! Obviously it’s doing something to me that my body doesn’t like!
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