Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup and Frankenfoods
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Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup and... - 8/23/2007 12:09:37 PM
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StephK
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The evils of high fructose corn syrup came up in the Milk? thread and in order to not take it off topic this thread will be for the discussion of the evils of Frankenfoods. Frankenfoods are man's attempt to create foods from highly refining processes, genetic modifications, and all such nefarious manners greedy producers can foist on us.
I know from my own personal experience that I can not tolerate anything with HFCS. I have immediate reactions like dizziness, intense drowsiness and almost a drug induced stupor for about an hour after I've ingested it. It's in just about everything processed. I also avoid partially hydrogenated oils like the plague. Butter does taste better than oleomargarine. 
I'm also starting to eliminate the growth hormone laced meats because well if it's purpose is to grow the cows rapidly it could explain why many of us also grow rapidly. 
One of my pet peeves is the lack of truth in labeling on most foods. I want to know who, what, when, where and how what I eat is made. With the ever rising problems with exporting what we eat to other countries with shady practices the consumer has the right to know where their food comes from. I do not want to eat foods from China. More and more of our food is being outsourced there and well when they repackage used chopsticks without at least disinfecting them it makes you wonder what else they foist on the unsuspecting all for a few more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Discuss the research, pertinent articles, books, methods of finding regular whole unadulterated foods.
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Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 12:11:30 PM
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StephK
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The Murky World of High-Fructose Corn Syrup
By Linda Joyce Forristal, CCP, MTA
Think of sugar and you think of sugar cane or beets. Extraction of sugar from sugar cane spurred the colonization of the New World. Extraction of sugar from beets was developed during the time of Napoleon so that the French could have sugar in spite of the English trading blockade.
Nobody thinks of sugar when they see a field of corn. Most of us would be surprised to learn that the larger percentage of sweeteners used in processed food comes from corn, not sugar cane or beets.
The process for making the sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) out of corn was developed in the 1970s. Use of HFCS grew rapidly, from less than three million short tons in 1980 to almost 8 million short tons in 1995. During the late 1990s, use of sugar actually declined as it was eclipsed by HFCS. Today Americans consume more HFCS than sugar.
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is produced by processing corn starch to yield glucose, and then processing the glucose to produce a high percentage of fructose. It all sounds rather simple--white cornstarch is turned into crystal clear syrup. However, the process is actually very complicated. Three different enzymes are needed to break down cornstarch, which is composed of chains of glucose molecules of almost infinite length, into the simple sugars glucose and fructose.
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Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 12:47:25 PM
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KHutcheson
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I agree with StephK about the lack of labelling. The FDA says something namby pamby like labels will only "confuse consumers." But what's actually happening is that they are bought off by Monsanto, who does not WANT labelling of GM foods, because they know that 1) fewer people will buy them (polls consistently show this) and even worse, 2) if they are labelled as GM, there's a trail to follow when people start getting sick, like they did with StarLink GM corn in 2000/2001. There was a big lawsuit a few years ago by dairy mafiosa when smaller dairies started labelling their milk as rBGH free - I think the pro-label people finally prevailed, but they also have to say something like studies show no difference between the two kinds of milk (which is a lie). We consumers need to keep up the pressure.
Anybody read this book: Seeds of Deception?
www.seedsofdeception.com.
Scary stuff.
Kevin
_____________________________
"The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." (Frederick Buechner)
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 1:11:54 PM
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StephK
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I haven't read that book but it looks interesting. I will definitely check it out.
It's a crying shame that the telling the truth about our food has to be kept such a secret. I used to not care until I had some health issues that turned out to be dietary related. It's frustrating discovering that a product I thought was safe to consume was intentionally very vaguely labeled. The migraine I got was not fun.
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Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 1:27:57 PM
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rnershigh
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Isn't the reason why high fructose corn syrup used in so many foods because it's a cheap ingredient? (and a reason why a lot of bad foods are cheap)
Agh, I just decided to google to see how many food products has this ingredient in it and found this blog with a listing. It's pretty scary. Everything from heinz ketchup to oreo cookies to BBQ sauces...you name it, it has high fructose corn syrup in it. Geez, I didn't realize it was that pervasive in our manufacturered foods.
Blog
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O Grave! where is thy Victory?
O Death! where is thy Sting?
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 1:37:51 PM
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StephK
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It's very pervasive. It is cheaper and that is the primary reason but I was reading that it also lengthens shelf life.
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Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 6:25:02 PM
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miasma
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I happened to hear last week, three seperate incidences, that one of the many, many reasons meat for sale at your local grocery store is bad for you (in addition to slaughter house conditions, the amount of antibiotics, what they're fed) is all the corn they're fed.
"the digestive systems of cows aren't really well adapted for corn, so if the cow isn't regularly fed grain already, go slowly. Cows fed large amounts of corn on feed lots generally get feed additives and antibiotics to help them deal with the high grain content of their rations."
Here's an over-sight of a lot of that info.
Also, if you're sincerely interested, The Omnivore's Dilemma is a must-read.
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 8:36:03 PM
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Eutychus
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quote:
ORIGINAL: miasma
Also, if you're sincerely interested...
I promise not to eat corn fed beef or other store bought meat longer than my granddad - who incidently only managed to live to be 103.
Please note I said "live" because he did. He was mentally sharp as a tack and physically still very active up until he died (cut grass, raked leaves, trimmed hedges, and took daily walks). He never gave a second thought to fear mongers who never quite learn to live. I intend to follow his example.
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 9:02:08 PM
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miasma
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Please note I said, "If you're sincerely interested..."
Since the whole point of this thread is "fear-mongering," you might want to start a counter-thread, to discuss all things contrary to what people are talking about in here.
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 9:07:27 PM
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HisCovenant
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How is it "fear mongering" to be genuinely concerned about what we are putting in our bodies not being natural?
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My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 9:13:46 PM
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StephK
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I think we need to remember that a lot of the foods we used to be able to enjoy without problems has been changed and manipulated. That is what's frustrating.
_____________________________
Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 9:20:07 PM
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HisCovenant
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Exactly... years ago cows were grass fed and now they are not. It changes their nutritional value. That's just the facts, not "fear mongering." That's true of many other products- like the ones with HFCS or white flour or hormones added...
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-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/23/2007 10:48:30 PM
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KHutcheson
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Exactly... years ago cows were grass fed and now they are not. It changes their nutritional value. That's just the facts, not "fear mongering." That's true of many other products- like the ones with HFCS or white flour or hormones added...
Like eggs, for example. We get our eggs from a farm that lets the chickens run wild and eat grass and eat bugs. They were recently tested by a lab. Compared to a USDA egg, they have over 20 times the omega 3 fatty acids, 7 times the vitamin E, 7 times the beta carotene, almost twice the Vitamin A, and over 200 times (yes, 200) the folate. They also have a third less cholesterol and saturated fat. The yolks are bright orange.
You have to know the farmer. The eggs at the grocery store that are labeled "organic" and "cage free" are a little better than regular USDA eggs, but not by much. The term "cage free" is a joke. It means the chickens aren't in cages ... but they are all smushed together, hundreds or thousands in a small space, and even though they have access to a yard, they are pretty much bred or trained not to go outside at all. They don't eat grass and bugs the way chickens were made to do; they're given corn or other feed.
Definitely read the Omnivore's Dilemma. You'll learn more about where your chicken comes from than you ever wanted to know.
Kevin
_____________________________
"The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." (Frederick Buechner)
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 9:15:05 AM
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miasma
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quote:
I am more concerned with the amount of our produce and food being outsourced to China.
Do you mean imported from China?
One of the shows I heard about the cow and corn thing from was talking about the food we get from China (this was shortly after the seafood thing).
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 9:18:13 AM
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StephK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: miasma
quote:
I am more concerned with the amount of our produce and food being outsourced to China.
Do you mean imported from China?
One of the shows I heard about the cow and corn thing from was talking about the food we get from China (this was shortly after the seafood thing).
It's the same thing but the cheaper imports cause many of our local farmers and fisherman from being competitive because of having to find something else to support themselves financially. Do we really want to drastically reduce our our food production so much that we are dependent on a nation who doesn't give a flip about FDA regulations?
< Message edited by StephK -- 8/24/2007 9:31:42 AM >
_____________________________
Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 12:11:49 PM
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Miss Giggles
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Theres some info on the Fast Food Nation DVD (the movie is bad) about our Food Supply and the Supersize Me DVD too.
I have started the ominivore's dilemma.
I need to know what the other names for High Fructose Corn Syrup are as well.
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 12:38:41 PM
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KHutcheson
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quote:
ORIGINAL: StephK
Do we really want to drastically reduce our our food production so much that we are dependent on a nation who doesn't give a flip about FDA regulations?
Steph, much of the problem is that even the FDA is not on our side. I just finished a book about GM foods called "Seeds of Deception," and it's documented that the FDA knows full well what the problems are with GM food, but because the US policy is pro-GM foods, they cover it up. FDA scientists are often pressured or fired if they raise concerns about particular food or drugs. It's the FDA who says that labeling GM foods will only "confuse the consumer." It's the FDA that's now requiring all domestically grown raw almonds to be pasteurized, but the label will still say raw. (A pasteurized food is no longer raw. Raw pasteurized is an oxymoron.)
The FDA lost my trust a long time ago.
Kevin
_____________________________
"The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." (Frederick Buechner)
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 12:43:51 PM
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miasma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Miss Giggles
Theres some info on the Fast Food Nation DVD (the movie is bad) about our Food Supply and the Supersize Me DVD too.
Off-topic, but I thought the movie did a pretty good job, of pulling out a few huge points of the book, and weaving them together.
I don't know that it would stand alone as well, but viewed as a companion piece to the book, I think it holds up well.
The FDA's "regulation" of cosmetics was my first "But I thought they were on our side..." thorn in the paw.
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 1:02:35 PM
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StephK
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From: Southwest Louisiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Miss Giggles
Theres some info on the Fast Food Nation DVD (the movie is bad) about our Food Supply and the Supersize Me DVD too.
I have started the ominivore's dilemma.
I need to know what the other names for High Fructose Corn Syrup are as well.
Here's a couple of tables with various sugars and alternative sweeteners listed. I know some of the names are corn syrup solids, iso glucose, glucose-fructose syrup, dahlia syrup, tapicoa syrup, glucose syrup, corn syrup, crystalline fructose, fruit fructose.
Sugars & Sweeteners
Table of Sugar and Sugar Alternatives
_____________________________
Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 1:12:39 PM
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StephK
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From: Southwest Louisiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: KHutcheson
quote:
ORIGINAL: StephK
Do we really want to drastically reduce our our food production so much that we are dependent on a nation who doesn't give a flip about FDA regulations?
Steph, much of the problem is that even the FDA is not on our side. I just finished a book about GM foods called "Seeds of Deception," and it's documented that the FDA knows full well what the problems are with GM food, but because the US policy is pro-GM foods, they cover it up. FDA scientists are often pressured or fired if they raise concerns about particular food or drugs. It's the FDA who says that labeling GM foods will only "confuse the consumer." It's the FDA that's now requiring all domestically grown raw almonds to be pasteurized, but the label will still say raw. (A pasteurized food is no longer raw. Raw pasteurized is an oxymoron.)
The FDA lost my trust a long time ago.
Kevin
I don't trust the FDA either. I just really don't trust the Chicoms to be as truthful as the FDA. I'm about to the point of growing my own food. I should have paid closer attention to my grandparents growing up. They did organic farming just because they were from the depression era and did things real frugally.
_____________________________
Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Let's Discuss the Evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup... - 8/24/2007 1:29:54 PM
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HisCovenant
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I am not an FDA fan, either. They are more concerned about lobbyist, the economy, and cultural expectations than health. That makes for a dangerous FDA. And I agree with miasma that it extends past food and into cosmetics (which are absorbed into our blood stream thru a membrane called skin.)
I have thought of growing my own food, too, Steph. Unfortunately, I tend to kill plants and we live on solid slate. I would have to do pots of veggies.
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-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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