High Fructose Corn Syrup
The other day I was searching for ketchup without high fructose corn syrup, also known as HFCS. I bet I spent at least 10 minutes reading labels until I found one that was acceptable.
Why is this a big deal? Is HFCS any worse than cane sugar? Short answer: YES. It is sweeter and cheaper than regular sugar and is in every processed food and sugar-sweetened drink.
While all added sugar is a negative when it comes to health, HFCS promotes more adverse health conditions than regular sugar. The main reason: it is “hiding” in so many foods that it sneaks up on us.
In recent history, we’ve gone from 20 teaspoons of sugar per person per year to about 150 pounds of sugar per person per year. That’s a half pound a day for every man, woman, and child in America. 
When you eat sugar in those doses, it becomes a toxin.
High fructose corn syrup contributes to: weight gain, cancer, fatty liver and liver stress, increased cholesterol levels, diabetes, high blood pressure, leaky gut, heart disease, and increased mercury intake.
HFCS is in a long list of food items. In fact, take a look at what’s in your kitchen. Go on, I’ll wait. Read a few labels. Check your ketchup, cereal, soda, bread, crackers, candy, juices, sweetened yogurt, frozen junk food, other condiments, granola bars, jams and jellies, powdered creamers, and salad dressings.
GASP! I know; shocking, isn’t it?
Items that you may believe to be healthy are loaded with sugar in the form of HFCS. Sneaky.
Foods containing HFCS are of poor quality and are highly processed—not REAL food.
Sugar is not healthy either, however we tend to be more aware that we are eating it. When I bake Mr. Non-Compliant his favorite cookies, I know exactly how much of everything is in them—including the sugar.
High quality homemade cookies that taste amazing sure beat a “healthy” (NOT) granola bar with HFCS.
Kicking HFCS (and artificial sweeteners) out of your life is a huge step on the road to improving every aspect of your health. It’s also the toughest, since sugar is as addictive as cocaine.
Today, take note of how many foods you eat that contain HFCS. Practice cutting back and eventually eliminating those foods.
When you stop consuming high fructose corn syrup, you also eliminate many chemicals that have no business being part of your diet. Your body will thank you in surprising ways.
Need help getting your body back on the health track? If beginning this process is stressing you out, and you are sick and tired of being stuck, I’m here to help you move in the right direction. Let me know and we’ll create a plan for your most awesome life.
To your health,
Carol
“Take care of yourself as if you’re the most awesome person you’ve ever met.”
― Jen Sincero, “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life”