Avoid Products with High Fructose Corn Syrup

[Mindy moves on!]

One of our members "Sadie" found this website that lists a bunch of US products that contain High Fructose Corn Syrup. For those of you unfamiliar with this ingredient which is widely used in foods, It dangerously raises your tryglycerides just like trans fats and contributes to obesity. Those of us on South Beach avoid this ingredient in our foods. Dr. Agatston also states that it is an ingredient to be avoided. Here's the list -- which is not inclusive, but you'll find MANY familiar foods on it:

http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/in...ing_high_fruct

[RedRox]

The "dangers" of HFCS can certainly be debated. It is no better or no worse than table sugar. It is not some greater evil in the sense of it being similar to transfats as a very bad fat of the bad fats for instance. There is a lot of negative "hype" about this product's use in our food systems, but very little rational scientific evidence behind it's negative image. Any sugar overused in the amounts currently seen in this country will dangerously raise triglycerides and contribute to obesity for instance. The problem in the HFCS in a 64 oz Big Gulp is the fact that it is 64 oz of sugar water, not that it uses HFCS in place of regular sucrose or other sugar of similar composition. It's the sheer quantity of consumption of sugars that is the biggest problem. Small amounts of HFCS are no better or worse than small amounts of other sugars IMO that are allowed in some products like salad dressings, breads and cereals for example. In fact, HFCS consumption has been going down since this "evil" was hyped, but obesity rates continue to climb, so even that linkage is really already disproven.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums/696-avoid-products-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html

If you are interested please read this very good article on the subject from the NY Times in July of 2006.
A Sweetener with a Bad Rap - The New York Times

For the record, I'm not advocating usage of HFCS or think it's a great sweetener of choice. Just trying to bring some rational discourse to the subject.

[no2atkins]

Originally Posted by RedRox

The "dangers" of HFCS can certainly be debated. It is no better or no worse than table sugar. It is not some greater evil in the sense of it being similar to transfats as a very bad fat of the bad fats for instance. There is a lot of negative "hype" about this product's use in our food systems, but very little rational scientific evidence behind it's negative image. Any sugar overused in the amounts currently seen in this country will dangerously raise triglycerides and contribute to obesity for instance. The problem in the HFCS in a 64 oz Big Gulp is the fact that it is 64 oz of sugar water, not that it uses HFCS in place of regular sucrose or other sugar of similar composition. It's the sheer quantity of consumption of sugars that is the biggest problem. Small amounts of HFCS are no better or worse than small amounts of other sugars IMO that are allowed in some products like salad dressings, breads and cereals for example. In fact, HFCS consumption has been going down since this "evil" was hyped, but obesity rates continue to climb, so even that linkage is really already disproven.

If you are interested please read this very good article on the subject from the NY Times in July of 2006.
A Sweetener with a Bad Rap - The New York Times

For the record, I'm not advocating usage of HFCS or think it's a great sweetener of choice. Just trying to bring some rational discourse to the subject.

hmmmm this diet has changed the way I see food, I can at least know for sure that the fresh fruit and veggies I eat dont have any...its too bad that our food is so processed and contains all this weird crap in it. i would prefer they use real sugar to be honest as opposed to syrups and such. but for me i dont eat much stuff that comes in a package or can.

I do see your point though, they are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

You ever see the King of The Hill about transfats and stuff? hilarious...

we can only try to eat as healthy as possible, we know some stuff will slip by....and your right, we are allowed some sugar and such...this isnt a low carb diet..its a healthy diet..most people in here likely avoid as much bad food as humanly possible..

[dmay]

I have a question, is there a difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup? I actually found something in the store today while reading labels that contained both. I have been trying to avoid both, they are an "added" sugar. But was curious.

[RedRox]

yes there is a difference. HFCS has a higher percentage of fructose to glucose than regular corn syrup.

From that article I provided the link to, but apparently only works from my favorite places menu!

"But the name "high-fructose corn syrup" is something of a misnomer. It is high only in relation to regular corn syrup, not to sugar. The version of high-fructose corn syrup used in sodas and other sweetened drinks consists of 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose, very similar to white sugar, which is 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose. The form of high-fructose corn syrup used in other products like breads, jams and yogurt — 42 percent fructose and 58 percent glucose — is actually lower in fructose than white sugar."

I can't seem to find what the percentages are for regular corn syrup anywhere.

Yes they are both added sugars. I've been doing some recent looking into fructose with mixed messages. On the one hand it is lower in GI than glucose or sucrose and is an allowed sugar substitute on the SB list of sugar subs. On the other hand it is not metabolized the same way as other sugars and can only be processed by the liver. Too much of it can raise triglycerides and may contribute to more feelings of hunger than other sugars despite its very low GI ranking. It's apparently low on GI values because it isn't digested so doesn't really show up in the blood stream for GI testing in the same way as other sugars. And of course fructose is the sugar in fruits that we can start eating in P2 as well and those are certainly allowed and encouraged but also come with the rest of the whole fruit intact which can't be overlooked!

????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=696
In the end I think moderation is simply the best approach! Be aware of what foods contain both or either and limit their usage.