High Fructose Corn Syrup Topic

Teelameer 03/05/10
Any articles or insight into the truth about HFC? Also, is it true that you shouldn't eat foods where sugar is one of the first 3 ingredients?

Dietitian 03/07/10
My approach to HFCS is this: where there is smoke there is fire. HFCS pretty much has the same chemical structure as table sugar and honey, so it is no more unhealthy in that respect. The problem is when HFCS is found in large amounts - that can wreak havok with your health. High sugar content foods of any type do this too, not just those with HFCS. Because HFCS is cheap, it is used a lot in soft drinks, candy, junk foods, and in foods that also have nutritional value. If HFCS is used to sweeten otherwise healthy foods and contains less than 5 grams of sugar per serving, I might still choose to eat it since the sugar content is low. Soda pop, at about 38 grams or more per serving is way too high.

So I do not see HFCS as the culprit per se, but the foods and drinks as problem menu items because the HFCS content is so high!

Hope that helps. Great question!

Best,

Katherine Isacks, MPS, RD

Teelameer 03/07/10
Actually, that helps a lot! Thanks.

High Fructose Corn Syrup