High fructose corn syrup “is nutritionally equivalent to sucrose,” wrote Corn Refiners Association President Audrae Erickson, quoting the American Dietetic Association (ADA). “Once absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.”
But that wasn’t the point of her column, “What’s In That Drink? If You Only Knew….,” Jill said.
Her purpose, she said, was “to call attention to the dishonest marketing practices that sway buyers to purchase products that appear to have fruit and other healthy benefits when they actually don’t.”
Jill, a former corporate vice president, is a certified Health Coach. She trained at the Institute for Intergrative Nutrition in New York City, is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, leads workshops on nutrition and offers individual coaching in healthy cooking, whole food, eating plans and healthy lifestyle.
In her column, Jill urges readers to “avoid MSG, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated anything and different dye colors….”
Erickson took exception.
High fructose corn syrup and sucrose “contain the same number of calories (4 per gram) and consist of about equal parts of fructose and glucose,” she wrote, citing a Dec. 2008 article: “High Fructose Corn Syrup.”
She also quoted the American Medical Association:
“Because the composition of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that high fructose corn syrup contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose.”
“As many dietitians agree,” Erickson added, “all sugars should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.”
She also suggested readers check out: SweetSurprise.com.
Jill said such recommendations actually support her argument — truth in advertising.
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