Busted! High fructose corn syrup is incredibly cheap, partly because the U.S. government artificially fixes sugar prices and partly because corn is heavily subsidized (not so much “free market” anymore as “free lunch”). Clearly, your federal government loves you and hopes you get obesity and diabetes really soon so you can take advantage of all the great medical care that we don’t have.
High fructose corn syrup is also terrible for you, and not even the most conservative of nutrition experts disagrees with that. While there are a few slightly more terrible liquids out there – lighter fluid, for example – it’s really a shame that the “foods” available to us are so commonly laced with HFCS. And it’s even worse that they’re often promoted as being suitable for a healthy lifestyle or weight loss! They may look very cute, but beneath the fiber sprinkles and happy labeling lurks the heart of darkness. Really.
These eight “health” food products all contain high fructose corn syrup:
– Yoplait Yogurt
Every variety of Yoplait contains HFCS! How much do you think it really costs The Premium Yogurt (aka Yoplait) to slap some ultra-pasteurized milk products, a dash of pectin, and a swig of sweetener into each pretty little personalized bucket de diabetes?
– Salad Dressings: Oh, the Love!
Most salad dressings contain corn syrup, but “lite” and “reduced calorie” versions are brimming with it. Prior to the no-fat craze, salad dressings were typically made with cheap, poor-quality corn oil. Now they’re made with cheap, poor-quality corn syrup. Dump them (as in break up with them, not dump them on your salads). Make your own dressings at home from cheeses, lemon juice, olive oil or balsamic vinegar.
– “Smart” Ice Cream Sandwiches
Many of the low-calorie ice cream treats are packed with upwards of 20 grams of this nutritionally deficient sweetener.
– Special K
It’s high time for cereals to stop proclaiming health benefits. Made from grains, gums and sugars, there’s nothing smart about cereal for breakfast, no matter how special it may be. Self-esteem for breakfast?
– Cereals with the Heart Healthy Claims
Many breakfast cereals are loaded with sugars and processed junk, but because they have a few grams of fiber or are low in fat (big deal), they are promoted as health foods. Just steer clear of the middle aisles, period.
– 100 Calorie Snack Packs
When was the last time anybody starved? We’re all in favor of portion control, but what’s in the package matters. You’re much better off eating 100 calories of almonds or sugar snap peas than some processed cookie confection. Although we know this might make a few friends a little cranky.
Thanks to Back in Skinny Jeans for exposing these sneaky sweets! (via one of our favorite fitness blogs: FitSugar)
Street cred: corn syrup research and how corn syrup is made
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