Fructose Free
June 4, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller
I read the recent studies that say that fructose is in most of the foods that we eat and that it is a chief cause of obesity in Americans, especially women. Reports says that high fructose corn syrup:
- * is a factor in heart disease
- * raises blood levels of cholesterol and another type of fat, triglyceride.
- * makes blood cells more prone to clotting
- * and it may also accelerate the aging process
Ayee!
Our body doesn’t recognize this as a natural substance, so it can create real problems because we consume so much of it.
I decided to do my own study. Three weeks ago I started to remove it from my diet. It’s nearly impossible!
I thought I ate healthy. But actually I was eating a lot of chemicals. My low-fat or no-fat choices that sit in my refrigerator really should have said imitation or chemical-full. My diet soda that I loved with my noon meal contained it. The 100-calorie packs made sense to me because they were a quick snack without a lot of baggage.
Except that every one of them contain HFC.
The first week
I don’t like grocery shopping on a good day, but now it’s more complicated. Pretty much it eliminated a large section of the grocery store, because everything that was remotely processed had the additive of corn syrup or high fructose.
The second week
I fought cravings like crazy. My diet soda. My quick and easy snacks like granola bars or a little pack of shortbread cookies (only 100 calories!).
I gained three pounds.
Not what I wanted.
Week three
I am getting the hang of it. Honestly, if I shop at the farmer’s market or stay on the outside of the grocery store (chicken/fish/lean beef, dairy, and produce) Iam doing ok. If I venture inside, 99% of the labels read HFC, Aspertame, additives, etc.,
I am discovering a few wonderful treats hidden in there like Blue Corn Chips with a just couple of ingredients: pressed blue corn, sea salt. They are delicious with salsa or an avocado mashed into guacamole with a little garlic salt.
Starting Week Four
My “muffin top” is starting to decrease. My stomach is actually slimming a little. Same weight.
I’m enjoying food. For such a long time I’ve thought about low-cal or low-fat. I’m enjoying real food. I’m taking more time in preparing my meals. I’m savoring food again.
Which is an unexpected bonus.
There are still surprises. I pulled out a jar of spaghetti sauce last night to make a marinade. Second ingredient? HFC. Bummer.
I have more energy. Is it because of the Fructose Free choices? I think so.
I have two and a half more weeks for my “experiment”, but honestly I think it will be longer than that.
Like a life time.
Will I be obsessive about it? Absolutely not. It’s nearly impossible to be “fructose-free”, but perhaps I can be 95% fructose free. We’ll see.
Article: How bad is fructose?
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I SO don’t want to click the “how bad” link. I’ve been gradually losing weight, coffee really being my only beverage vice. With real sugar. But everything else - well, I just eat. Okay, I’ll click.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:30 pmA month ago, I finally got the courage to get proactive about my overweight self. I started the South Beach Diet, and for the first two weeks, the diet consists of mostly veggies, meats, cheese, and eggs. The purpose is to detox our bodies from all the chemicals, sugars, etc.
I, too, am feeling better, and I’ve lost 12 pounds with a goal of 77.
Tim commented the other day that we never go into the middle of the store much any more! I love the wide variety of foods we are eating, but it does take a bit more prep time. But my weightloss, changing body shape, and overall health are well worth it.
Great post, Suzie.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:19 pm