High-fructose corn syrup is a common sweetener and preservative which is made by changing the sugar (glucose) in cornstarch to fructose which is another form of sugar. The end product is a combination of fructose and glucose. It has become a popular ingredient in many sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and other processed foods because it extends the shelf life of processed foods and is cheaper than sugar.

Recent media campaigns have been launched to improve the poor image of high fructose corn syrup or HFCS.  They are basically trying to promote this junk food additive as “healthy”.

Although the advertising campaigns don’t come right out and make the claim that HFCS is “health food”, they do try to cleverly fool people into thinking that it’s not bad for your health.  In fact, they make these claims:

It’s all natural
It’s no worse for you than table sugar
It’s made from corn
It has the same calories as table sugar

The truth is, these ads are highly misleading.  For one, as if our nation wasn’t already suffering an obesity epidemic, as well as skyrocketing degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.  Now, they’re trying to make matters worse by fooling innocent people into thinking that high fructose corn syrup is somehow healthy. In fact, many beverages and other processed foods made with high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Regularly including these products in your diet has the potential to promote obesity, which in turn, promotes conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.  As for their claim that HFCS is ”no worse for you than sugar”, who cares because sugar is one of the worst things you can ingest in your body anyway, so it’s not a valid argument!  The bottom line is that HFCS is a highly processed, refined substance that makes you fat!

So if you’re concerned about the amount of high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners in your diet, consider these tips:

Limit processed foods.
Avoid foods that contain added sugar.
Choose fresh fruit rather than fruit juice or fruit-flavored drinks. Even 100 percent fruit juice has a high concentration of sugar.
Choose fruit canned in its own juices instead of heavy syrup.
Drink less soda.
Don’t allow sweetened beverages to replace milk, especially for children.

The point you need to understand is that if you want to be lean and healthy for life, you should be minimizing, or even eliminating all sugar and high fructose corn syrup.  In fact, most processed food should be eliminated altogether if you want to be serious about getting lean.

So the next time you’re thinking about drinking that can of soda, or fruit-flavored drink or eating that donut, just think about how that is only going directly against your efforts to lose body fat and can even lead to other health problems in excess.

Malaysian food is always fattening, high on calories and fat. Make a little adjustment to your eating habit. Not to say stop eating all your favorite food, but just once in a while you can have them. It will taste even better too. Many women out there want to stay in good shape but love eating to bits. Old habits are hard to change. We all know that and local food is delicious they are hard to resist!

How to Lose Weight With Our Eating Habits?

Losing weight is about determination and watching out your eating habit. Get working on a diet plan and follow them carefully. Change your eating habit to eating moderately, smaller portions but more meal intakes. Snacks in between meals are essential; to keep you full all the time so that you will not eat more the next meal. Remember, eat only healthy snacks. Munch on vegetables, fruits and nuts or whole grain crackers. These healthy snacks provide you with the energy you need all day long and to balance up your nutrition.

Eat when you feel hungry and not wait till the main meal comes. You will not be able to control you are eating this way. Eat at least 5 to 6 times a day with breakfast, snack in mid morning, lunch, tea time, dinner and supper. You can always skip supper if you want. Not only you get to lose weight, but you will stay in good health as well. You will get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need. Avoid all sweet and sugary snacking as well especially dessert. The bring nothing but only harm.

Take nasi lemak, roti canai, curry puffs only when you are really craving for it. Take lots of water after taking them or unsweetened tea like English tea or green tea. Help yourself if you love yourself. Reduce the risks of getting heart disease, cancer and diabetes; the No. 1 killer in Malaysia.