The Not So Sweet Relabeling of HFCS

by CathyK

Food manufacturers are adept at fooling the public into thinking that by relabeling an ingredient with a nicer name it somehow changes its body damaging molecular structure. The problem is, millions of people believe this deception.

At the top of the list of those pulling a fast one on the public is the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), who have rebranded high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with the newer, sweeter named ‘corn sugar’. Makes it sound healthy, right?

The CRA’s plan of course, due to the unpopular attention HFCS has gotten over the last few years, is to make people believe that they’re actually eating a real corn sugar product.

There are a number of things wrong with this assumption of course.

First, most of the corn in this country is genetically modified so no matter what the resulting product is, you don’t want to be eating it!

Second, it’s not really corn sugar at all, but the human-made lab created processed HFCS. Real corn syrup is made with dextrose, and no fructose, i.e., Karo corn syrup that’s used in cooking.

Third, simply put, HFCS is NOT sugar. Only that which comes from either sugar beets or sugar cane can really be called sugar.

So as you read ingredient labels, remember that corn sugar, unless it’s on a bottle of something like Karo syrup, is really just HFCS, and is guaranteed to spike your blood, add no nutritional value and make your waistline bigger.

At HCG Chicago we teach you how to make healthier choices – via the HCG diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

Cinnamon

by Sherry

I was having a nice conversation with a client regarding phase 2. He told me his wife was a great baker and she continued to do so while he was on the hcg and not allowed any of  these sweet treats. He did not mind because his children were enjoying the benefits of having a mom that bakes and he didn’t want them to  miss out. Besides he had a treat every night to look forward to as well. Before he started hcg he would have a piece of cake or brownie for his evening snack, thus adding to the waistline. He now has an apple that he cuts up and sprinkles with cinnamon. He looks forward to this every evening while watching his favorite program. He is a great example of successfully  replacing a high calorie and fat treat, with a healthy one. We all know apples are good for you, but the cinnamon is an added bonus. The virtues of cinnamon are many.Just a half a teaspoon every day has shown to relieve arthritis pain.It is known as an anti-inflammatory source with magnesium,fiber, iron and calcium. Studies have shown cinnamon to have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it particularly beneficial to those with Type 2 diabetes.Cinnamon has a anti-clogging effect on the blood, benefits memory improvement, and lowers cholesterol. True all these studies have been done in all parts of the country, and more need to be done in the future. But I can’t help but think that there is obviously some benefits here, it certainly can’t hurt to sprinkle it on. I thought this was a great alternative. Still allowing ourselves to snuggle in and watch our favorite program while satisfying our hand to mouth obsession.You don’t need to feel deprived.We just need to switch out something that we can apply to our hips  with something that actually has some great benefits by consuming it.

Unhealthy Health Foods

by CathyK

Many of us make unhealthy food choices when transitioning to a healthy diet. We toss out the candy bars and replace them with energy bars, get rid of soda and reach for vitamin water, eliminate chips and opt for trail mixes, and eat granola for breakfast. But these are all healthy, right?!  Some so-called health foods may look like they’re good for us, but they aren’t really.

Some of why we’re fooled is in the marketing. Just because it’s sold as a health food doesn’t make it so. At HCG Chicago we help you differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food choices. These are some examples of what we may be drawn to when changing to a healthy diet:

Almond, Hemp, Rice and Soy Milk: While these aren’t bad foods, opt for the unsweetened versions. When vanilla flavoring is added, the carbohydrate content increases (besides, that vanilla flavoring may be chemical-laden as well).

Applesauce: Always opt for the unsweetened version. Again, added flavors only add calories. (While you’re at it, try a bit of green nutrient powder and vanilla Stevia mixed in with your applesauce – you get added benefits and it tastes great too!)

Opting for an energy bar? Although there are a couple of them that are pretty decent and low in trans fat, you wouldn’t believe how easy these are to make at home with oats, nuts, raw nut butter and real fruit.

Vegie chips: Wait a minute, these are ok right? They’re like air and actually look like slices vegetables! Sorry, but most of these are high in both calories and fat, as well as sodium. Opt for plain raw vegies or air-popped popcorn (not cooked in oil).

Give up the chips for a nice healthy trail mix? I hope not, because 1 cup of trail mix can add up to hundreds of calories. You’d be better off reaching for a nice handful of raw nuts.

Love the new vitamin waters? I hate to be a  buzz kill here but these are horrible too! Oh sure they may have a trace of vitamins in them but only so they can be labeled as such. These are passed off as real vitamins in water and they’re really sugar water with food coloring as well as caffeine (in some).

Next up, that morning bran muffin. Sorry folks but the only purpose this serves is to add an actual muffin top rolling over your waistline. These are sometimes so large they’re enough for 2 people, and loaded with sugar, high in calories, unhealthy fat and very little bran. You’re better off eating a bran or oatmeal cereal with fruit and low-fat milk.

Can I have granola cereal? Nope – most granola cereals have too much fat and sugar in them. These are typically added because by itself, granola is rather tasteless. There are ways to make it healthier if you make your own.

Dried fruits like papaya, banana, pineapple: If bought in a store, the chances of them having added sugars is huge. You can dehydrate your own and cut the sugar out. Or make your own fruit roll ups using a food processor and rolling it onto a sheet to dehydrate. Voila! Your own fruit roll ups.

Couscous has to be good for me – it sounds and looks healthy! Too bad it isn’t. It’s a processed white-flour food that just looks like it’s healthy. Choose healthy whole grains like brown rice or quinoa.

Frozen yogurt: Advertised as ice cream’s healthier version, this dessert actually has more sugar, and less calcium and protein than plain yogurt. Healthy, low-glycemic frozen fruit smoothies are much healthier – make them at home. And while you’re at it, toss in a handful of fresh spinach or kale – you get the benefits of the greens and you won’t even taste them!

Transitioning to a healthy diet may not always be easy, but there are always healthy options to choose from.

Typically these are made from home ingredients, not processed from the store. They’re fast and easy to make too!

Another reason to turn our backs on sugary drinks

by Sherry

Watching the news this morning, I see Chicago is considering a tax on the sugary sodas and energy drinks. They claim it will take care of a few things. One, it will cut down on the obesity. Two, it will lift some of the burden off our health care cost. And three, it will give the city much needed money. The proposed tax is said to be one cent for every ounce. So a 20 ounce Coke or Monster drink would cost 20 cents more. Forget any feelings you may have for “imaginative ways for governments to get money” but think about the positive. What if this could actually work in our favor? We get our kids off this empty calorie, insulin spiking, fat producing liquid and our health care insurance goes down a bit. As adults we have to be role models for the up and coming chunky generation. If we are still embracing these sugar filled cans and bottles, we have to detox.  It’s not just government going after the obese. The large corporations are looking to cash in as well. For example, you have seen it in the airlines. Should they charge more for a seat if someone cannot keep “themselves” in one? Schools across the country are removing these drinks from the vending machines in response to all the problems associated with overweight children. And moms all over are pushing for laws that force the energy drink makers to be more forthcoming in their advertising of side effects; Such as developing diabetes and heart palpitations in children. These drinks have already been banned in some countries such as Turkey and Denmark. Denmark being voted the happiest place to live, should tell us something. We don’t need these drinks. Not for us, not for our children