I feel like I should write something about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). In Ayurveda we talk a lot about diet, and how some foods that are good for Pittas are not so good for a Kapha. And if they are good for a Kapha they may not be so good for a Vata. And so on. I also encourage you to stay within your dosha diet because you will feel better. HFCS IS NOT GOOD FOR ANY OF THE DOSHAS!! I believe HFCS is the sole reason why there are so many obese children in the US today. The TV commercials would have you believe that it is no worse than sugar. And even try to imply that it is somehow 'natural', with this phrase: "It's made from corn, has no artificial ingredients, has the same calories as sugar and is okay to eat in moderation” High-fructose corn syrup starts out as cornstarch, which is chemically or enzymatically degraded to glucose and some short polymers of glucose. Another enzyme is then used to convert varying fractions of glucose into fructose. High fructose corn syrup just doesn’t exit in nature. The deceptive advertisments by the Corn Refiners Association have basically been LYING to you with their propaganda that "HFCS is no worse for you than sugar".
In terms of your health and your waistline, neither one is good for you. Over time, with excess consumption of either HFCS or sugar, they can both lead to diabetes, obesity, and other mayor health problems, including premature aging, and a bulging belly! My husband and I avoid HFCS at all costs and we use a minimal amount of organic sugar. This is not easy HFCS is in EVERYTHING. Ketchup, Mayo, Ice Cream, Ice Cream toppings Soda Pop, the list goes on. If you buy it, it probably has HFCS. We read the labels; you can find the things you want with out HFCS it just takes time (accept ice cream topping, so we make it). They probably still have sugar but I still think sugar is better for you than HFCS. The two things that I avoid like the plaque are HFCS and hydrogenated oils. They are the food additives that cause the most damage from a biochemical standpoint internally in your body.
Even though both sugar and HFCS are bad for you I avoid HFCS more because your body DOES NOT know how to process HFCS.
Princeton researchers found that rats given water sweetened with HFCS gained significantly more weight than those given water sweetened with plain sugar, despite calorie intake being the same between both groups. According to professor Bart Hoebel, “When rats are drinking HFCS at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese—every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don’t see this; they don’t all gain extra weight.
I hope I have given you food for thought, for you to at least try to fully avoid HFCS from now on. Knowing this, why in the world would you ever want to touch another soda again! This doesn’t mean eating loads of table sugar is good for you either. When I make a treat for Gary and I it is always made with all wholesome foods (so they must be good you, right? That’s what Gary says as he is eating his fourth cookie). But, a cookie is still a cookie. So take it easy.
Nancy Adams, Certified Thai Yoga Therapist
And Ayurveda consultant
No comments:
Post a Comment