What’s Lurking in Your Favorite Snacks

 
By Avanti Vadivelu
 
“High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).” How many of us have skimmed through nutritional value labels and have simply glazed over this ingredient without giving it much though? It may be easy to do since this sweet ingredient is used in many of our most favorite sugary treats, the most popular of which being non-diet sodas. More specifically, according to a New York Times article, “High-fructose corn syrup provides the sweet zing in everything from Coke, Pepsi and Snapple iced tea to Dannon yogurt and Chips Ahoy cookies. It also lurks in unexpected places, like Ritz crackers, Wonder bread, Wishbone ranch dressing and Campbell's tomato soup.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/business/yourmoney/02syrup.html)
 
Although it tastes the same as table sugar, HFCS is cheaper to process and transport and can blend in more easily into beverages, which is why it is the sweetener of choice for many manufacturers. However, it also requires a lot more of a complicated process to produce, and can be especially harmful to your health and the health of your children.  
 
Here are some of our top reasons why YOU should avoid HFCS in your diet:
 

• Researchers have found new evidence that HFCS may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children.
• HFCS may be a major contributor to childhood obesity.
• HFCS is especially hard on your liver, which is the only organ in your body that is able to metabolize fructose (unlike glucose, of which every cell in your body can metabolize).
• Animal studies have shown a link between high intake of HFCS and high cholesterol levels
• HFCS is derived from genetically modified corn. If you are of the population that does not believe in taking in genetically modified foods, this is your warning that sodas and other fruit juices and processed foods containing HGCS will give you just that.
• Most of the foods that contain HFCS are high in calories and low in nutritional value.
• HGCS has been found to increase the production of Ghrelin, which increases your appetite.

 
Want the best out of your sweet snacks and drinks? Here are some tips to cut back on the amount of HFCS in your diet:
*      Buy 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks.
*      Eat or squeeze fresh fruit instead of fruit juices.
*      When buying canned fruit, ensure that it’s canned in its own juices instead of heavy syrup.
*      Limit your soda intake.
 
Keep in mind that there is conflicting evidence in the medical field on just how harmful HFCS can be to your body. However, since HFCS is usually found in foods that contain little to no nutritional value, choosing healthier alternatives can’t be a bad idea! Where do you stand on the debate regarding the harms of HFCS?