With most anything on today’s market, there’s the good, the bad and the extremes of both, and high fructose corn syrup has been at the heart of a debate for years. To some, it’s good because it’s an inexpensive sweetener that helps make processed foods long-lasting and shelf-ready, but to others it’s been used to replace more costly natural sugars, and that is not ideal. Made from milled corn and processed repeatedly until high fructose corn syrup is eventually formed, the process leaves behind a thick and potent sweetener. From cereals to bread, lunch meats, yogurt and even soup and condiments, high fructose corn syrup can be found in more places than you’d know.
Over the last 40 years or so, obesity in the United States has skyrocketed, with high fructose corn syrup often taking much of the blame for what has become an epidemic. According to studies, High Fructose Corn Syrup isn’t recognized by the leptin receptors in your body, and leptin is the hormone assigned to tell you when you are full. Therefore, you aren’t told by your own body when to stop eating when it comes to foods that contain HFCS; that leads to overeating and weight gain. The body’s response to high fructose corn syrup is contributing to obesity and giving the product a pretty bad rap. Many studies have concluded, high fructose corn syrup has contributed to less sensitivity to insulin, which is the first sign of diabetes, increase of fat production in the liver and even an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL).
The bottom line is this – if you’re going to eat something sweet, using actual sugar or another natural sweetener, like maple syrup or honey is the best option. While processed foods make life convenient and easy, nothing can replace the nutritional benefits of fruits, veggies and whole grains. Choosing whole grain breads and steel cut oats over processed white bread and cereal, leaves the guess work out of the ingredients. And, knowing what you put in your body is the best way to know you’re leading the healthiest life possible.
Have you taken steps to eliminate processed foods from your diet or are you struggling with making the switch? What are your tricks for focusing on fruits, veggies and other whole foods even when you’re on-the-go?
