Eliminating HFCS from our diets: small changes make a difference!

I have been on the NO HFCS bandwagon for a while now. I learned about HFCS when I got back from living in Europe. In Europe, sugar is preferred. I became interested in why we use it so much here in the United States. Then, I became pregnant, and that was a game changer. I looked for the best products, and avoided the fake stuff. (I’m not going to lie, though, I did have some less than healthy cravings!)

How do I avoid HFCS? I read labels… Yes I’m the annoying person just standing at the supermarket reading what’s in my jam. Speaking of which… I am a huge fan of Bonne Maman, a delicious French jam that can now be found at many local supermarkets, no fake stuff, and absolutely delicious. You will never go back. (You’re welcome.)

Photo credit: bonnemaman.us

When something has HFCS I just put it back and look for an alternative. Another must-have item in my home is ketchup. Many people laugh at my obsession… but regular ketchup has HFCS. Thankfully, Heinz did come through and created “Simply Heinz.”

I think (and hope) that as more and more people reject HFCS, companies will be forced to lower the amount they put in their products. In January 2013, Bloomberg reported that HFCS consumption had “plummeted amid backlash.”

“Americans consumed less high-fructose corn syrup in 2011than at any point since 1997, Bloomberg reported this week. The USDA estimates that the average American ate 131 calories worth of corn sweeteners a day this year, down 16 percent from 2007.”

As I explained in my earlier post, studies have shown that HFCS doesn’t satiate as real sugar does, so the body keeps consuming calories because it doesn’t get the cue that it is no longer hungry.

If you’r thinking about going HFCS free, aside from trying the products above (and this is my opinion, they aren’t paying me to tell you this!) you can also try buying foods at stores that are committed to offering better products, with less artificial stuff, like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

The one issue I still struggle with going HFCS-free is the cost. Sometimes there is a huge price difference between the “conventional” food that has the cheap stuff and the “real” food. Hopefully, as less people consume HFCS and more food without it, the price of these products will do down.

For more tips and experiences on going HFCS-free, check out these other bloggers who took on the HFCS challenge:

Adrianna, aka Military Money Chica tells us “It’s Here, It’s There, It’s High Fructose Corn Syrup, It’s Everywhere”

Amanda, aka Mother of Ambition, shares what changes she made to eliminate HFCS from her family’s diet. (easy things you can do too!) “The No HFCS Challenge!”

George, aka Urban Jibaro from Sofrito for your Soul shares his experiences giving up ketchup during Labor Day Weekend! (Not so easy!!) “Trying not to be “Corny” About What I Eat”

Noelia, from Turbulent Times, tells us she thought it would be easy, but turns out, not so much due to accessibility to good quality food in her neighborhood. ”No HFCS Challenge”

Stephanie, from Football Food & Motherhood says “Going HFCS-free NO High Fructose Corn Syrup: Easier Than You Think.”

How do you avoid HFCS? Feel free to share your tips below!! or via Twitter or Facebook!