Monday, September 15, 2008

High fructose corn syrup ads

Have you guys seen these ads? The corn people are now trying to convince us that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) isn't any worse than sugar. It is corn, after all:



I love it. They're in such a panic that they have to make commercials urging us to buy HFCS products, as if it's easy to avoid. On Sunday, I spent 15 minutes in the bread aisle, in search of a loaf without the stuff. Finally, I remembered that Bob from The Biggest Loser is always talking about Ezekiel bread. I couldn't find it anywhere, then I finally located it in the frozen food aisle. When I checked the ingredients, I was pleased to find that HFCS was conspicuously absent.

Although there's no definitive proof in the matter, most health experts seem to believe that HFCS is largely responsible for the rise in obesity over the last few years/decades. The stuff is in everything. I was recently enjoying a delicious Fiber One snack bar, and I noticed HFCS in the ingredient list. Unbelievable.

Is nothing sacred?


10 comments:

WWSuzi said...

I admit i'm hooked on ezekiel bread and english muffins!! I'm finding it frustrating having to read all the fine print lately. Some of it's so small you need a magnifying glass.

Anonymous said...

I am trying to reduce my artificial sweetener intake after reading reports that it effects blood sugar and hunger. I, like you, have noticed the majority of products have HFCS! Ketchup, pickles, salad dressing, mayo etc. Bye bye South Beach and Fiber One for sure! Thank God for Kashi and fresh fuits and veggies! I wish Kashi would come out with a salad dressing.

Marla

Anonymous said...

Morgan, I found this bread called Oroweat Double Fiber that doesn't have HFCS. It tastes pretty good too... post run with Peanut butter and Honey - YUM! :)
Pritha

elife said...

This campaign is horrible! I think it actually reminds people that there's something sketchy about HFCS...especially at the end when they say "in moderation."

Queen Sarah said...

Every time I drive through Iowa, I see all the corn and soybean fields, and it looks like such wholesome agriculture. And then I remember that the majority of the corn is used to feed livestock (resulting in beef that is not nearly as healthy and lean as grass-fed beef) and HFCS, and most of the soybeans are used for partially hydrogenated soybean oil. All this land that could be used for producing healthy food is instead being used to produce inferior food and fake foodlike substances. I heard that if everyone in the U.S. followed the recommendation of eating 5 fruits and vegetables per day, there would be a shortage. We don't even grow enough to meet the minimum recommendation. It's crazy.

Julie H said...

I can't believe how much stuff it's in!

Unknown said...

I think HFCS is the worst thing ever created by humans. You can make plastic out of corn too, but you don't see me eating that. This commericial disgusts me, but thanks for posting!

excessive.exposures said...

Ezekial toast is absolutely AWESOME - it's so tasty with some cashew butter on it or peanut butter. I hope you can find it soon, it's pretty prevalent here in northeast Florida.

Anonymous said...

Know what else was made of High Fructose Corn Syrup? Adolf Hitler.

Google it.

Anonymous said...

That they had the nerve to make those commercials... makes me laugh.

I wish I could find foods without it. I try not to eat much processed foods, but sometimes you need a granola bar of whatever you can just throw in your bag. HFCS is almost always in it!