This post covers one of my favorite American food subjects...CORN, more importantly, a derivative called high fructose corn syrup or HFCS as I will refer to it throughout this post. My nutrition class covered this subject at length this week and I'm going to share my new found knowledge, even if it wasn't initially what I wanted to hear.
Let me preface by saying the post you are about to read does not forgive the alarming presence of HFCS in the many processed foods in our grocery stores. If you know me, you have heard me comment about corn maybe even two, three, or four times in conversation. I still believe that this country's subsidized crop production is ruining our health, land, water, etc. This post is a reflection of actual research mixed with a dose of healthy eating advise, not an opinion about American agricultural practices.
The moral of the story is that our country's obesity epidemic cannot be blamed on HFCS or added sugars, instead, we need to examine our diets. If highly processed foods are the main components (such as the American diet), we must shift to diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods in order to see a more healthful population.
Let's pay attention to the foods we eat and feed children. Begin by eating food that comes from the earth instead of those that were highly processed in a lab. Read labels, think about ingredients, buy fresh produce, cook from scratch whenever possible. If you like to eat out, find a place that puts your health in mind. There are many ways to eat healthfully, but it has to begin with consciousness prior to the plate.
If you would like to question, comment, or clarify anything I wrote, PLEASE do. Last thing I want is for someone to take the wrong message from this, meant to be, educational post. Thanks!
*Image thanks to nataliedee.com
