NOT so Sweet Surprise

One more rant before we get back to our scheduled programming. I am testing a re-make of my Grandma Ett's Swiss Steak, which I have not done properly for years and if this recipe turns out to be tasty it will be the next recipe to share.

The corn syrup industry is in a tizzy because more an more people are rejecting products made with high fructose corn syrup. They have gone so far as to create a web site. www.sweetsurprise.com AND do television commercials. The key line is..."high fructose corn syrup is okay for you in moderation."

Maybe?

But in America we don't consume it in moderation. It is in thousands of food products that you might not expect, meat, bread and pretzels. Of course it is not needed in ANY of those, or other products.

If you shop in grocery stores you are likely consuming way more than a 'moderate' amount of this chemical concoction. They say it meets all FDA standards for being a natural food. ONLY because the FDA has no standards for what can or what not can be called natural.

My recommendation as both a nutritionist and chef. Never consume this in any quantity. Let any company who uses it know that you will not purchase their products, as long as they continue putting this into your food.

Shop Farmer's markets whenever possible, buy organic and local when you can, and only consume natural meat from trusted purveyors. Whole Foods is not to be trusted, their 'grass-fed beef' is grass fed and grain finished destroying the balance of omega 3 to 6.

It all has to do with money. HFCS is used because it is cheaper than sugar. It is cheaper because we subsidize the farmer's who make it. If you don't want your tax dollars going to this begin calling and writing letters NOW to congress to end corn subsidy. They never subsidize Heirloom tomatoes at your local Farmer's Market.

Also beware of corn, especially super sweet varieties. They have been bred and modified to the point where they are now pretty much giving your Frankenfood. Corn should be nutty, grainy, not dessert like. Super sweet corn is loaded with calories and your 'vegetable can make you FAT. If you must have it think of it in the same way as you do ice cream, an occasional very unhealthy treat.

Products you might not expect to see laden with high fructose corn syrup.

Stove Top Stuffing
Capri-Sun Juice Drink
Hanson's All-Natural Soda
Newman's Own Pink Lemonade
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
Starbucks' Frappuccino
Brownberry Breads
Pepperidge Farm's line of 100% whole grain breads
Sara Lee Heart Healthy Whole Grain Bread.
Thomas English Muffins
Almost every cereal made by Kellogs
Lifesavers
Heinz 57 Sauce
Heinz Ketchup
Hunt's Catsup
Miracle Whip
Plus generic versions of Ketchups.
Nutri-Grain products, bars and granola
Cough Syrups
Nabisco Crackers
Yoplait and Breyer's yogurts
B&M Original Baked Beans
Contadina Tomato Paste
Claussen Pickles - Bread and Butter Chips
Claussen Pickles - Kosher Dill Burger Slices
Claussen Pickles - Sweet Gherkins
Claussen Pickle Relish
Del Monte canned petite diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
Del Monte Fruit Naturals Red Grapefruit
Heinz Pickle Relish
Mott's Applesauce
Mt. Olive Sweet Relish
Mt. Olive Bread and Butter Pickles
Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Dryer's and Ben and Jerry's Ice Creams
Oscar Meyer Meats
Oscar Meyer Lunchables
Most Kraft and Miracle Whip salad Dressings
A-1 Sauce
Campbell's Vegetable Soup
Most brand of BBQ sauce