One of the first things you need to do when losing weight is eliminate foods that contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) because the sugary substance adds calories with no nutritional value, and is said by some researchers to interfere with your metabolism and increase fat storage.
Because "getting skinny" is a multi-billion dollar business, there are a plethora of foods marketed to dieters, and you as a smart cookie need to be diligent in reading the food label not just the package cover. Just because the packaging says "Fewer calories, Low carbs, and Fat-free" does not mean that it is healthy for you or that it is free of high fructose corn syrup. In fact, you'd be surprised just how many "diet" type foods contain this syrupy ingredient. Here's just a handful:
- Yoplait yogurt: Every single version of Yoplait has HFCS including the "light versions" like Fat-free, Whips, and Thick & Creamy Light.
- Salad dressings: If you think getting the "light" version of salad dressing is going to help your weight loss effort, think again. Light versions of Wish Bone like Thousand Island Light and Kraft like "Light Done Right Creamy French" salad dressings contain HFCS.
- Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich: Oh yeah! Big time bummer. This made me cry, honestly. Those things are yummy. How the skinny cow stays skinny with all that HFCS is a wonder to me.
- Weight Watchers Smart Ones desserts: All the WW Smart Ones desserts that have a chocolate fudge topping on it like the Brownie A La Mode and Double Fudge cake contain HFCS. This one boggles my mind. Why would you make this low cal, low fat cake and then add a "no-no" topping to it?
- Special K cereal: All flavors of Special K cereal has HFCS in it. I'm bummed about this discovery as well because I really thought Special K did an excellent job in the marketing of this product. They even have a cross promo deal with Shape magazine. However, this supposed "get back in your skinny jeans" cereal has HFCS which will keep you in your fat jeans.
- Healthy Heart cereals: This isn't necessarily a diet food, but it is pushed as a health food. Kellog's Smart Start "Healthy Heart" and "Antioxidants" cereals along with Quakers Take Heart Instant Oatmeal with Blueberries believe it or not contain HFCS. These cereals claim to help our hearts yet they contain HFCS which can make you obese thus giving you heart issues. What's up with that! Is all I gotta say.
- Snackwell Devil's Food and Creme Sandwich cookies: This saddened me as much as the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich discovery. The Devil's Food turns out to really be food of the fatty devil.
- 100 Calorie snack packs: Everyone is getting into the "Sensible Snacking" fad and packaging goodies in 100 calorie packets. Now, just because you're only taking in 100 calories doesn't mean that they are nutritious calories. The Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs like the Ritz Toasted Chips, Oreo Thin Crisps, Chips Ahoy, and Honey Maid Cinnamon Thin Crisps are loaded with HFCS. Sorry to break the news.
There were some shocking food discoveries here today. Next time you are at the supermarket, be sure to read the ingredients list, You may be surprised at what you see on that label.
