My Ban on HFCS

Finally got a response from Panera Bread on the fact that their foods and drinks contain High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Dear Casey,

Thank you for contacting Panera Bread. High fructose corn syrup is an FDA-approved and wide-used sweetener. It is derived from corn, a natural source, and it fits within industry guidelines for all-natural products. Corn syrups are hydrolyzed using enzymes, also naturally occurring, and the end product is a sweetener blend (glucose and fructose) that is also found naturally.

We are following the most recent scientific studies regarding the use of high fructose corn syrup. To date, there is no strong evidence to support the claims that it is responsible for obesity or is any more or less healthy than cane sugar or other sweeteners. If the evidence should prove differently in the future, we will act accordingly.

Again, thank you for contacting us. We appreciate your business and value all your comments.

Sincerely,
Chris
Customer Comment Coordinator

Maybe I'm biased, but here's my response:

Dear Chris,

Thank you for the response, although I don't agree with your logic at all. You said "derived" from corn. Yes, that part is a natural source, but what about all the other toxic ingredients used to make High Fructose Corn Syrup? What about using corn that's genetically modified in the first place? You don't see an organic HFCS because it is not naturally found on this earth in that form.

I'd much rather eat or drink REAL sugar that something created in a lab.

I would think that a company like Panera Bread would be ahead of the "industry standard" and making a name that's known for being wholesome with foods made from completely real and natural ingredients. Instead Panera is just another corporate conformist company behind the times.

Thank goodness you have complete nutritional data on your site. You won't find me eating at your restaurant anymore... at least until you ban HFCS.

Thanks anyway,
Casey Ellis

Join the Facebook group: BAN HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP IN THE US

Jason's Deli was the first U.S. restaurant to ban HFCS in their products in 2008. Just last year Starbucks also revamped their menu to omit all artificial flavors, artificial trans fats, artificial dyes, and high-fructose corn syrup. Thank goodness!


Sounds like I will be boycotting Panera Bread for a very long time...

Boycotting Panera

This morning I had to skip my workout. Why? Because I had to drop my car off for the 4th time to the body shop. This time to fix the hood that was never aligned properly. Yes, it was barely noticeable, but I have a keen eye for details and it was irking the heck out of me. Now my Mazda just needs a bath.


Workout

Just body brushing this morning, and 2 sets of Hoe Downs after lunch so far.

Plan on doing Tempo 2 this evening... and might finally add some core-building floor moves.


Food Log

Brekkie

Panera Bread Egg & Cheese Souffle and Nonfat Caramel Latte.

I am so bad! Should have gone next door to Smoothie King instead. So much for willpower today.

After looking up these items on Panera's nutrition section, I am shocked that they use high fructose corn syrup in their lattes!!! YUCK! Boycotting Panera now. Grrr! Sorry Panera, as much as I love your food, this turns me off...

Caramel Latte: Reduced fat milk (milk, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3), caramel syrup (sweetened condensed milk, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, corn syrup, light brown sugar, butter [pasteurized cream, salt], water, cream, salt, soy lecithin, natural caramel flavor, pure vanilla extract, potassium sorbate as preservative), whipped cream (cream, water, sugar, non-fat milk powder, mono and diglycerides, carrageenan, natural vanilla), espresso.

Why can't they use REAL caramel? YUCK!

Guess I should have checked their nutritional information BEFORE splurging on it.

Just emailed Panera Bread about my disappointment in their use of HFCS. We'll see if they respond.


Lunch

Ban Thai Coconut Chicken Soup.

Supplements

Alfalfa: 3 caps
B-12 Plus: 4 sprays
nutraMetrix® Glucosatrin Bone & Joint Formula: 2 caps
nutraMetrix® Isotonix Calcium Complete: 1 serving

Water intake: 0.5 liter

Au revoir!

Craving a Workout

Roxy is so lovey dovey today!
I adore her little face.

EXERCISE

Primary Back Stretch, Butterflies, Triceps Curls, Hoe Downs

SKIN CARE
Brush PM: yes

SUPPLEMENTS/HEALTH
Adrenplus 300 (2 caps): yes
Alfalfa (6 caps): yes
B12 Plus (6 sprays): yes
Cellfood (8 drops/3x): 16 drops
Jus (1 oz): yes
Pyruvyl Glycine (12 sprays): yes
Water (8 glasses, 8 ounces each): 1 liter

FOOD
7:50am: Kashi GoLean with original Almond Breeze and whole banana
9:00am: hot peach tea in a pretty teacup (thanks, Jen!)
12:25pm: Pacific butternut squash soup, 2 Morningstar tomato & basil pizza burgers
7:15pm: leftover chicken chili (same as last night with added organic tomatoes and jalapenos), flax crackers, 8 oz glass of Bohemian Highway Merlot (I love this brand!)
8:30pm: piece of milk chocolate with almonds
**

JOURNAL
I felt great almost the entire day. By 2pm I was really craving a workout... like Step Away. My body is asking for it. LOL. When I got home I was exhausted. I made dinner and watched Roswell, walked the puppy and then did a little exercise. Now it's time for bed!

Starting the Week Off Right

EXERCISE

PBS (morning)
Maxi Max #1 Standing (with Butterflies and Triceps Curls in place of regular arm sequence)

SKIN CARE
Brush AM: yes

SUPPLEMENTS/HEALTH
Adrenplus 300 (2 caps): yes
Alfalfa (6 caps): 3
Cellfood (8 drops/3x): yes
Jus (1 oz): yes
Water (8 glasses, 8 ounces each): 2 liters

FOOD
7:45am: 2 boiled eggs
9:20am: whole banana
11:00am: raw almonds
12:20pm: rotisserie chicken salad (chicken, romaine, green pepper, carrot, cucumber, sharp cheddar cheese)
7:30pm: homemade chicken chili (ground chicken, green peppers, red onion, garlic, organic chili beans, seasoning) topped with lowfat sour cream and seriously sharp cheddar, 4 oz glass of organic red wine
9:45pm: small bowl of Kashi GoLean and original Almond Breeze
*

JOURNAL
I feel amazing today. I slept well, no dark circles, did my morning stretch and body brushed... plus made it to work a little early! Bringing back my "early bird" tendencies.


My appointments are a bit earlier than they have been these past two weeks, so I have to come in to work early and leave a little later on Tuesday and Wednesday to make up for the lost time. It makes it a very busy work week!

My workout tonight wasn't that bad. I definitely feel a lot stronger. But I started working out too late in the evening and just wanted to stop and go to bed. Next time I'll aim for a morning workout.

Challenge Day 1: Say NO to High Fructose Corn Syrup

It is pretty easy (for me) to go without HFCS. I normally don't eat a lot of foods with that ingredient. Today wasn't bad!

It's all about reading labels. Did you know that Saltine crackers have HFCS? Me either! I need to buy a whole grain cracker for chili dinners. It's just not the same without a little crunch.

I enlisted my boyfriend, Marcel, in this challenge. However, he ate the Saltines. Oh well. We don't want to waste food either.

Challenge: Say NO to High Fructose Corn Syrup

I have to vent a bit about labeling on food products. For some reason today I was craving orange. I had a serving of Orange Fanta... and then while blogging a Minute Maid Orange Juice Bar. My tiff is that BOTH of these packages say they are made with "all natural" ingredients. Since when is High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) natural? It does not grow from the earth... it's man-made! WHY can't Minute Maid make a 100% orange juice frozen Popsicle? Real juice is all I'm asking for. And Fanta ... don't claim it's 100% natural. HFCS, Yellow 5 and Red 40 are not real natural foods. Really this rant should be directed to Coca-Cola since they make both of these products. I should have just had a real orange!!! The juice bar was orange "flavored" yet made with apple juice concentrate???

Labels are deceiving. I know better... these products are not good for me, but every now and then it won't kill me. But the general public may not even fully read or understand the label. Now some may think HFCS is good for them! This stuff is in everything. As FOOD, INC. explained 90% of the products in grocery stores are corn-derived. (Meaning mostly all will have HFCS or other corn byproducts.)

If you're curious about corn, check out the movie King Corn. It will explain a lot!

Challenge this... can you go 7 days without eating HTFC?

Starting tomorrow I'm taking this challenge and running with it. Stay tuned for updates!

King Corn

This movie has changed my outlook on food in America. You should really rent this movie if you haven't already. High Fructose Corn Syrup is scary stuff. I already knew it was bad for you, but had no idea what really went into the processing. Not to mention how much processed corn is in all of our foods and what to actually does to the body.

I highly recommend checking this one out!

Check out the trailer here: www.kingcorn.net