Green Tip – Green Snack (Giveaway)

December 9, 2009 in Giveaway, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | 2 comments

by Wendy Gabriel

The Christopher Gabriel Program is giving away a fabulous gift every week day from December 1st toCGProgram tote December 24th. THE GREEN SNACK GIVEAWAY IS TODAY (12/09/2009)! Donated by My Green Side, the prize is a fabulous The Christopher Gabriel Program canvas tote filled with some of my favorite organic snacks (when I’m not making my own or munching on fresh fruits or vegtables). LISTEN TO WIN FROM 9AM TO NOON CT!

GREEN TIP: When you reach for your next snack, avoid anything made with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Yes, It IS That Bad!

We have a national problem with obesity and sugar (HFCS being the worst) and processed foods are some major factors in that problem. 

In his book, ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine, John La Puma, MD explains that HFCS are “the Jeffrey Dahmer of sugars.”  He goes on to say ”some scientists think that the body processes HFCS differently than it does regular corn syrup and that it decreases our metabolism by tampering with our metabolic hormones.  It also forces the liver to kick more fat out into the bloodstream, raising your triglyceride level.”  

As Sally Fallon explains in her book Nourishing Traditions, fructose is the primary sugar in HFCS and that “research indicates that it is the fructose, not the glucose, moiety of sugar that is the most harmful, especially for growing children.  Yet the greatest increase in sugar consumption during the last two decades is from HFCS used in soft drinks, ketchup and many other fabricated foods aimed at children.” 

Ms. Fallon’s well researched findings show that “studies have positively correlated sugar consumption with heart disease.”  It is implicated as a “causative factor in kidney disease, liver disease, shortened life span, increased desire for coffee and tobacco, atherosclerosis… it is associated with hyperactivity, behavior problems, lack of concentration and violent tendencies.”  And the bad play list goes on.  “Last but not least, sugar consumption is the cause of bone loss and dental decay.”

From Prevention.com:  Sugar can make your skin dull and wrinkled.

From the Washington Post: Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury.

Ready to read your labels now?

My Green Side’s weekly web pick:

Natural Papa
Natural Papa focuses on natural parenting and fatherhood, home remedies for common children’s ailments, homeschooling, green and simple living for families, and natural foods. They are a valuable reference for parents and parents to be.

One of my favorite pieces from Derek Markham, founder of Natural Papa: Providing for Your Family isn’t about Presents, it’s about Presence

Editor’s Note: Each Wednesday My Green Side brings Simple Tips for Green Living to The Christopher Gabriel Program. We also highlight a favorite green site each week. You can stream the segment at approximately 1020am (CDT) every Wednesday at WDAY.com.

 

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  2. John La Puma MD’s avatar

    John La Puma MD on December 9, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Thanks for covering this important issue, especially here at the holidays, when it’s hard to know just what’s in that fruitcake ;)
    The main problem with HCFS is that we just get too much of it–still–and it is often hidden inside of prepared and processed foods.
    When you can, (and I know you can) go greenside, and train your palate to enjoy natural sweeteners: I just finished drying Hachiya Persimmons, rock hard, 1/4 inch thick, overnight on a rack in a 210 degree oven, and they are sweet, tart, chewy and portable!
    Warmly
    John La Puma MD