Saturday, March 26, 2011

Substitute Saturday: corn syrup

I was originally going to post one on all refined sweeteners, but I'm going to break it up instead. Let's just start with getting rid of corn syrup, shall we? ;) If you must use a refined sugar, cane sugar is better than high fructose corn syrup. I could write a book just on HFCS, but just know that those commercials with the pop-cycles are NOT accurate. Corn sugar, as they're calling it now, and cane sugar do have the same amount of calories, but they are used differently by the body. Corn sugar has a much greater effect on blood sugar for most people, and it blocks the "full" signal in your brain when you're eating.

Many brands now have a "no HFCS" option. Heinz ketchup is one. Nestle chocolate syrup has sugar, whereas Hershey's has HFCS. These are 2 brands we personally have switched to. Just look at labels and be aware. Coke & Dr. Pepper come out with this option seasonally as well, so if you're a Coke drinker, stock up then! Apple sauce & canned fruits taste just as good if not better without the added sugar. Look for "in 100% juice" on your canned fruit, and "unsweeted" on applesauce. Of course, it's sweetened... with apples!!

List of foods that are HFCS free. (needs to updated, as many more are coming to the market, thanks to supply & demand!)


Substitute:
Cane sugar for now. ;) Even better, use unrefined brown can sugar. Like Sugar in the Raw. They should have this on the health food or baking aisle.

Substituted so far...
  • Stevia or xylitol FOR: artificial sweeteners 
  • Cane sugar FOR: high fructose corn syrup

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