High fructose corn syrup: Just try to avoid it, I dare you.

Normally I reserve this blog for things that are good:  good food, good restaurants and good service.  But today, I’m writing about High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). It’s a sweetener made from corn.  For processed food makers it’s cheap to buy, easy to transport and mixes easily into a plethora of products.  And it sweetens just like regular sugar.  Sounds good so far, right?  Well, that’s until you do a search online.  You’ll find dozens and dozens of articles talking about why HFCS is bad.

Curiously, I’ve noticed an ad campaign that tries to dispel the negative publicity HFCS has been getting lately.  It generally airs during programs that feature food.  Click here to watch the ad. In the commercial, one woman tries to tell another woman why HFCS is bad, but she has nothing to say to back up her claim.  The other woman responds by saying it’s made from corn and perfectly safe in moderation.

Here’s what the first woman should have said to back up her claim:

- Studies now show HFCS could contribute to obesity and adult onset diabetes. Nutritionists say more and more children are developing adult onset diabetes and they contribute this increase to HFCS.  Just look at some of the products marketed to children.  Often times, HFCS is one of the first few ingredients.

- Nutritionists say HFCS is not a natural food, it’s a synthetic food and the body does not respond to it in the same way as corn, which could prove problematic in the long run.  It could actually make you gain weight more easily. Ever wonder why so many people say, “I lost 20 pounds and all I did was stop drinking soft drinks.”

- Nutritionists say much of the corn used to produce HFCS is made from genetically modified corn.  Research is mixed on this, but it’s important to note because some people do not feel comfortable eating genetically modified foods.

- Even if you don’t eat anything with HFCS in it, you are still paying for it.  That’s because billions of tax dollars are sent to farmers to encourage them to grow more corn to keep the price down for corporations that use HFCS in their products.

When it comes to products that contain HFCS, the list is endless.  Basically most soft drinks and boxed or processed foods contain the ingredient.  If you took a look at what’s in your pantry right now, odds are most of the dry goods contain HFCS.  It’s even in some canned foods.  Ultimately, no matter what the research shows for or against HFCS, you make the final decision about the foods you eat.  It’s no secret that a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is good for you and just plain tastier, too.  So the next time you shop for groceries, take the time to read a few labels.  You might be surprised about what’s in your food.

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