High-Fructose Corn Syrup, What is it?

I think in my first blog post, I made it clear that I am not particularly fond of corn. I feel like that ever since the government started subsidizing corn, the entire food industry was handed over to corn. One of the results of that came from that is High-Fructose Corn Syrup. High-Fructose Corn Syrup is 50 percent fructose, and 50 percent glucose. The result, a liquid cheaper than cane sugar and just as sweet. High-Fructose Corn Syrup is now used to sweeten almost all our foods, and can be found almost everywhere.

Now, High-Fructose Corn Syrup is being criticized in the media right now, and so to defend their right to use it, corporations have formed the Corn Refiners Association. Their argument is that High-Fructose Corn Syrup is being unfairly criticized, and that is in no way worse for us than

cane sugar. They are running ads on television and in magazines supporting this view.

However, their argument is only one side of the coin. Foods that contain High-Fructose Corn Syrup may also contain other products that are worse for us than High-Fructose Corn Syrup.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup is also found in much more foods than it needs to be in, foods that never were sweetened in the past! If High-Fructose Corn Syrup isn't bad for us, then how come it isn't for sale? Why cant we buy it from the local grocery store? How come we can only get cane sugar?

My recommendation is to stay away from High-Fructose Corn Syrup if possible. Doing so you will immediately avoid some of the worst processed foods. The corporations can try to deny it, but you just shouldn't eat High-Fructose Corn Syrup.

Ecology 101

You might have heard the term ecology. You also might have heard the words green and

eco-friendly. But do you actually know they mean?

The general definition of ecology is the study of methods to benefit the earth. This includes limiting the use of toxic chemicals, lessening carbon emissions, and using natural products instead of synthetic products. One reason why ecology is relevant is because you can lead a healthier life. Plus, earth-friendly methods keep the ecosystem in balance, preserving nature.

Now, you might be thinking, "wait I thought this was a food related blog, why are you talking about ecology?" Well, ecology actually does relate to food. Crops are commonly sprayed with chemical pesticides that are harmful to both humans and nature. If you follow eco-friendly lifestyles, you wont eat those chemical-laden vegetables. Also, many foods are shipped all over the world. If we bought locally-grown food, we could cut down of carbon emissions. Even the methods of how you grow vegetables can help the planet. For example, farmers commonly use many nitrogen fertilizers. However, farmers only need one-hundred pounds per acre, but feed their plants more to play it safe. What happens to those extra pounds of fertilizer? Some evaporate into the air to form acid rain. Some of it turns into nitrous oxide, a chemical that increases global warming. Other fertilizer seep down the earth into underground pockets of water. But if we use other methods, such as natural fertilizers or crop rotation, we could greatly reduce those factors.

I hope you have realized how being green extends to your food not just your lifestyle. We can all be a part of the solution to a healthy planet.