Corn Syrup, my big pet peeve

I saw again one of those commercial touting corn syrup. Accusing people who think it can be harmful of being misinformed or worse stupid.

I am not stupid. In fact instead of trusting the "reports" of corn syrup's effects, I tested it myself. I gave up all corn products for 30 days. Now for this beans and corn bread lover that was a challenge.

Slowly I added back corn products. I really thought I would have to give them all up due to allergies to corn (and every other grain, veggie or meat there is). I was fine, until I had things with corn syrup! With in 48 hours my energy drained again and my pain spiraled out of control. I have nerve damage in my back, so pain is nothing big. However the pain after having corn syrup is not just pain, it is excruciating.

This discovery was fine, I can handle sweets with sugar or splenda. I plan to investigate stevia next grocery day. Realistically, I could do with out sweets all together. What shocked me was the multitude of things I can no longer have that should not have a sweetener to begin with.

Ritz crackers, a staple here, wheat thins, saltines even. One of my favorite frozen meals, one that actually has real food in it. Marie Callendars steak with cranberry green beans and roasted potatoes, has corn syrup in it. I checked labels on their other items, most have it in there. Did you know many cold medicines contain corn syrup? The most vile thing I have ever had to swallow, nyquil, has corn syrup in it.

So I have begun writing to companies whose products I can use and thanking them for not using corn syrup. Just because it is harmless to most, does not mean the ones who have issues with it are misinformed or ignorant.

Items I have found and enjoy that do not have corn syrup in it.
Cheerios
Quaker oats (the squares cold cereal is good too)
Lays potato chips
Barilla extra protein pasta
Prego spaghetti sauce, I really like the mushroom and the garlic and herb
Ocean spray craisins (though the juices do have corn syrup)
HEB ketchup (woot!)
Kashi Go Lean Crunch (Blueberry and Cranberry flavor is my fave).
Fiber One apple flavor bars
orowheat bread
Natures own whole wheat bread
Hershey chocolate, I prefer the dark.

These are the ones I use most often.

In reading labels and finding the vast amount of corn syrup people eat with out even knowing it, it is no wonder we are a nation of fat people. I mean seriously. Some sugar, corn syrup and such may be fine. However when you find it in your drink, your burger bun, steak sauce (a1 and Worcestershire too) then have even a small dessert, You may be heading for trouble. Too much sugar saps your energy. Even some vitamins contain it.

Since becoming aware of, looking for and then removing, hidden sources, of corn syrup in what I eat I have noticed 2 things. 1) way less pain and 2) I have more energy. I still have slow moving days but not every week now. I sleep better at night too, not so restless. I wake up refreshed, not feeling like I just went to bed.

Do I think everyone needs to give up all corn syrup? No. I do think they need to make themselves aware though of just how much of the stuff they eat. I admit I still stumble. I mean when you are hungry and everything available contains corn syrup, you grab the snickers. I always, yes always, regret it though.

All I am saying is, be informed about what you eat. Just because some lobbying group gets it a pass does not make it good. It doesn't even make it food (Have you read yogurt labels and pudding labels lately? I saw one in the fridge section the other day, not one word on it could I recognize as a food)



Bottom line, read labels, even "safe" things may have stuff in it you do not know about. (Like chili powder having corn syrup solids in it...)