Recently I was asked to scope of my pantry and check out all the foods we typically eat and the different sugars in them. I first checked out a list of the different types of sugars and was amazed at how many there are:
I also read that the key is actually the amount of sugar consumed, as opposed to whether it comes from cane, beets, corn or honey. Lately I have been hearing a lot about High Fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and it is usually a negative remark. It is linked to obesity and the Corn Refiners Association has launched a campaign to dispel common myths. To go along with the campaign, I got the chance to participate in a live webinar with some experts in high fructose corn syrup.
Barry M. Popkin, Ph.D., Professor Department of Nutrition, has gone on record to say “Table sugar and high fructose corn syrup have the same exact effect on obesity and diabetes and on heart disease. It’s not that one is better.” I was also surprised to learn that there is no “safe” sugar for kids when you compare sucrose (table sugar), High Fructose Corn Syrup, honey, molasses, or concentrated fruit juices. All of them are approximately 50% glucose and 50% fructose, contain the same amount of calories, same sweetness, and are absorbed and metabolized the same way in your body. Sugar is basically meant to be consumed in moderation and the FDA has agreed that table sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, molasses, honey and concentrated fruit juices all carry the designation as “generally recognized as safe.” High Fructose Corn Syrup is used in many products because of its lower cost, but it still has the same sweetness as sugar.
I learned that the American Dietetic Association states that all foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation, including sweets! A sweet tooth only becomes a problem when sweets are taking the place of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. After checking out my own kitchen I was amazed to learn that the yogurt I regularly eat has about seven sugar cubes worth of sugar, a small box of raisins has about 7.5 cubes of sugar, a plain waffle has about one cube and a certain apple juice contains exactly as much sugar per ounce as Coca Cola! (You can visit Sugar Stacks to compare some more sugary foods!)
Overall, I learned that sugar is sugar, no matter the type and that I need to watch the quantity my family eats. I know many people are concerned about High Fructose Syrup and they are entitled to feed their children whatever they want, but I feel comfortable with it as long as we moderate it. I also learned that the Corn Refiners Associate is trying to get a name change for High Fructose Corn Syrup as Corn Sugar, which honestly to me doesn’t’ sound as bad as the original name!
You can also learn more about healthy eating from the Mayo Clinic and check out the sugar content in common foods.
Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the Corn Refiners Association. I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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it would be interesting to know how artificial sweeteners such as sweet n low and splenda fit in. and yes High Fructose Corn Syrup sounds bad. i've noticed some juice labels making a point of stating "no High Fructose Corn Syrup" .. yet from ur article no big diff.