High Fructose Corn Syrup - nutrition class

This semester, I started taking a Nutrition for Health and Performance class. I love this class! It's almost like have a personal nutritionist, but one lecture that stood out to me was about High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). I pay attention to labels, but never thought to check for HFCS. I didn't really know what it was or why it was bad for me. I know there has been a bunch of talk about HFCS and now I know why!

Did you know:

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup is sugar made from corn. This is used more often than natural sugar due to subsidies. Subsidies make the corn cheap to produce and cheap to put into our food and drink products. That is why restaurants always have free refills! HFCS is the primary sweetener in soda. Since it is so cheap to make, that's why we have unlimited amounts of soda. 

2. Ketchup also has a ridiculous amount of HFCS...1 tsp of HFCS to 1 tbsp of ketchup (that's a third of ketchup!!) 

3. HFCS does not make you full and that's why people can have 5 cans of soda at one sitting and not get full!

4. Companies have changed the name of HFCS on labels to Corn Sugar to sound nicer. 

High Fructose Corn Syrup Ad - Two Bites

High Fructose Corn Syrup Ad - Two Bites Spoof! 

I saw these videos in class (You were very observant if you saw the popsicle change colors in the spoof) So if you don't know why HFCS is bad for you, than it must be okay! (NOT) What does moderation even mean? It is impossible to consume in moderation because it is in everything..... corn, creamer, chocolate, even in food you wouldn't think it would be in like PICKLES!?

Why is HFCS bad:

1. Causes flatulence and diarrhea due to mineral deficiencies in iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc

2. Metabolic syndrome (increased risk for coronary artery disease, stoke, and type 2 diabetes) 

3. 1/3 of the products are high in mercury

4. Increases triglyceride levels (arteries line with fat, which ultimately will lead to heart problems)

5. Increased dental cavities

6. Interferes with oral contraceptives (birth control), so HFCS = babies

7. Possible link to obesity

Why is it used if it is so bad for us:

1. It mixes easily! Think about the last time you put sugar into your coffee and you kept stirring and stirring to get the sugar to completely mix. HFCS mixes evenly in sodas, fruit juices, etc. 

2. Extends shelf life by 20% - stops yogurt from spoiling

3. Tastes extra sweet

4. Helps prevent freezer burn - ice cream

5. Helps baked products brown better - hot dog buns and English muffins

6. Results in soft textures - chewy chips ahoy cookies and protein bars

MY HINTS:

What can I do to stay away: 

1. Eat organic food! Organic food is the ONLY food that can't contain HFCS. 

2. Shop in the parameters of the store! If you think about it, all the junk food is in the middle of the store while all the vegetables, fruit, dairy are around the outside. 

So, next time you're at the grocery store check your labels for HFCS or Corn Sugar!

Check out this link from Eat This Not That! 20 Worst Drinks in America compares drinks to their food equivalent. Saw this in my nutrition class and definitely made me aware of drinks I will never have again!
http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/20-worst-drinks-america-2010