Over the past couple of years, I have worked to avoid trans fats. Although food manufacturers are now required to label the amount of trans fats in the foods, some still get away with using small amounts. Anywhere you see "partially hydrogenated..." you can bet that there are trans fats in the foods. I guess the FDA allows them to say "0 g" if it is below a certain amount.
More recently, I have begun efforts to also avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup (which I will abbreviate as "HFCS"). An article by Kim Severson from sfgate.com describes the history of HFCS and how, as our food became inundated with this ingredient in the 1980's, there was a strong, correlating rise in obesity. Also, the article describes studies to suggest that HFCS interacts with hormones, including insulin, leptin and ghrelin, in a way that may lead to weight gain. Some argue that HFCS itself has not led to obesity; rather, they suggest that the overconsumption of foods with all types of refined sugars is the cause.
I suspect that HFCS is added to many foods because it is cheaper than making a product with genuine, high-quality flavor. Instead of enjoying real fruit flavor in a yogurt, we taste the sweetness of HFCS with some artificial and small amounts of real fruit flavor. And we like sweet. Instead, though, why not use plain yogurt and add some non-sweetened fruit spread? I've also found that a small pinch of brown sugar, which is maybe 15-20 calories and far less than the amount used in regular yogurt, does the job just fine if I want something a little sweeter. (Would you add a dab of HFCS to your yogurt?) I've noticed that the less sweetness (from refined sugars) I have in my food, the more I learn to taste the natural and subtle flavors of the food.
I also suspect that HFCS is added to some foods that would normally be less sweet, just so that people are more inclined to eat more of them (and, therefore, buy more of them). I don't have any hard evidence of this, but the drive to make profits and to help people eat in moderation do not go hand-in-hand.
Along with my efforts to avoid trans fats and to eat more "whole foods"--foods that don't come pre-packaged or which have recognizable ingredients listed--I will also try to cut out any foods with HFCS. Actually, I think I'll try to cut back on all refined sugars. We'll see how it goes!
4 comments:
Anne,
Last year I managed to cut out most flours and refined sugars and I really enjoyed it. Being on a tighter budget makes it a little harder, but I totally hear where you are coming from when you say that without the heavy sweeteners you can taste the natural goodness of foods. That is what it is all about. I am a big honey, maple syrup, and raw sugar fan and I used them all for sweet enhancement a lot. They each have their place. I especially use the maple syrup though. I love the taste, 13g carb and 50 cals for 1 tbsp, with great flavor. I love that stuff.
yeah, that HFCS is evil.
I gave up Yoplait yogurt this last year with a heavy heart. It was really my favorite thing. But now, I do eat an organic fruit-at-the-bottom type and it is true--you really get the full flavor of the fruit and yogurt and it is a much more complex eating experience, which also contributes to eating less overall.
I also gave up yoplait and now when I eat it, I really don't like it. Do they make a fruit-at-the-bottom key lime pie yogurt? Would there be little bitsies of crust?
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