High Fructose Corn Syrup

I have a question about high fructose corn syrup vs sugar. For instance, in sodas, is there really a difference in items containing real sugar and those containing high fructose corn syrup? I've been trying to cut out HFCS, but it's really hard to find things (esp bread and hamburger buns) without it! Are the calories the same? Are there any other "effects" other than calories?

It’s definitely everywhere now and is the most common added sweetener in processed foods and beverages and is more cost effective for manufacturers.

Research studies have yielded mixed results about the possible adverse effects of consuming high-fructose corn syrup. Although high-fructose corn syrup is chemically similar to table sugar (sucrose), concerns have been raised because of how high-fructose corn syrup is processed. Some believe that your body reacts differently to high-fructose corn syrup than it does to other types of sugar. But research about high-fructose corn syrup is evolving.

Some research studies have linked consumption of large amounts of any type of added sugar — not just high-fructose corn syrup — to such health problems as weight gain, dental cavities, poor nutrition, and increased triglyceride levels, which can boost your heart attack risk. But there is insufficient evidence to say that high-fructose corn syrup is less healthy than are other types of added sweeteners.

Recommendations from the American Heart Association — not a part of official U.S. dietary guidelines — say that most American women should consume no more than 100 calories a day from added sugar from any source, and that most American men should consume no more than 150 calories a day from added sugar, and that even less is better. That's about 6 teaspoons of added sugar for women and 9 for men.

It's prudent to consume any added sugar only in moderation. Consider these tips to cut back:

·         Avoid sugary, nondiet sodas. Drink water or other unsweetened beverages instead.

·         Choose breakfast cereals carefully. Although healthy breakfast cereals can contain added sugar to make them more appealing to children, skip the non-nutritious, sugary and frosted cereals.

·         Eat fewer processed and packaged foods, such as sweetened grains like cookies and cakes and some microwaveable meals.

·         Snack on vegetables, fruit, low-fat cheese, whole-grain crackers, and low-fat, low-calorie yogurt instead of candy, pastries and cookies.