Sugar, Meet Your Replacement.

A troubling trend has developed in the US since the 1990’s, the replacement of sugar in processed foods with a chemically derived product of corn. This product, called High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has been widely adopted as a cheap and manufacturer friendly replacement for cane sugar products.

The taste is similar, but the processing and possible health affects are vastly different than cane sugar. HFCS is produced from corn through a chemical and fermenting process and results in a fructose-glucose product. Corn used in the process may be genetically modified, a fact that is troubling to many healthy conscious eaters.
HFCS is abundant and nearly impossible to avoid. After taking a no HFCS dietary position, I became aware of just how hard it is to eliminate. Try looking for bread or crackers that do not have HFCS. You will find that nearly 99% of the baked, fruit products, even spaghetti sauces on regular grocery shelves contain it. And probably the biggest culprit, soft drinks.

Most American made soft drinks list HFCS as the second or third ingredient, meaning that the beverage is composed largely of the corn product. HFCS is also lurking in a lot of other beverages, such as “fruit juices” that are marketed for kids. Start looking out for HFCS, I think you will be surprised too.

Why does this matter?

HFCS has been a hot topic in nutrition and health communities. Experts are still evaluating the dangers, but research has indicated that HFCS can contribute to obesity, osteoporosis, and metabolic disorders including diabetes, and has even proven to increase triglyceride levels which can result in heart disease.

What can you do?

Take a stand against this masquerading villain that can attack your health. Look for products that do not contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and be sure to praise companies that do not go the way of cheap, unhealthy sweeteners.

If you have trouble finding products that are HFCS free, try visiting health food stores or looking in your regular grocery for the health food isle. If you can’[t find the products you want try asking your grocer to stock specific items for this reason. Also, don’t forget that groceries can be purchased online, a good choice for rural consumers who do not have access to health conscious retailers.

Having trouble stopping smoking?

As you probably know, some people have trouble breaking the dangerous habit of smoking. A well planned stop-smoking program will define a clear path for successfully stopping, an important step toward a healthier more active life.

Here are a few points that should be part of a well planned effort.

1. An army of one is not as good as an army of many. While the initiative to stop smoking has to come from within the smoker, those who surround that person can make a tremendous difference to success. Having supporters who lend and ear, offer positive reinforcement, and provide distraction will provide needed back up for the effort.

2. Prepare for your life as a “Non-smoker”. When the time comes to stop, make sure that you prepare all aspects of your life. Clean the car and house of all smoking related paraphernalia before stopping. This will make sure that there are no temptations.

3. Dry-clean or launder clothing and coats, clean as many items of clothing for the new smoke-free smell. The smoker’s sense of smell can quickly improve after stopping and having a smokeless wardrobe is very rewarding and reduced reminders of smoking.

4. Alter the routine and look for new distractions. Many smokers associate smoking with specific behaviors such as driving, visiting bars, watching TV, or taking breaks during the work day. Make detailed plans on ways to change the routine, on avoiding triggers, and on creating positive behaviors instead of old triggers.

5. Prescriptions medication offers a great tool to be used in addition to behavior change techniques. Zyban (Wellbutrin) has been used with great success in helping curb smoking urges. Talk to a physician about this as a component to a comprehensive stopping plan.

6. Tackle stopping one minute at a time. Little victories are the key to staying motivated toward the ultimate goal which is to remain smoke free.

7. Banish negativity from your success circle. Anyone who cares about your health and well being will support stopping smoking. Science has well proven the dangers of smoking and it is likely you have already suffered from colds, illness, shortness of breath, possibly even cancer related to your smoking habit. Stay away from people who do not support your efforts. Your less than supportive friends will be long gone when you are still living with your lifestyle induced health problems.

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