So you know those Fruit2O waters that were basically double free at Jewel last week? I passed because they contain Sucralose (Splenda). Low carb MashupDad eats Splenda products like candy, which is a story for another day — but I’ve always hated it, so never consume anything with Splenda. The kids would have it occasionally, but as I’m reading more and paying more attention to food labels, I’m less comfortable giving it to them at all. (And I’m pretty sure it upsets Junior High Guy’s digestive system, so he hasn’t had any in months.)
And then when we were at Target today, I was about to grab the lower sugar Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal, but then paused to read the label. Yup. Instead of just making the packets less sweet, they choose instead to substitute Sucralose for some of the sugar. (And now that I’m reading further, I see that the regular contains a whopping 12g sugar per packet — ack. Those are NOT big packets! And I did buy a box of that, since I was so focused on the Splenda thing on the other, doh.)
The photo on the right is Capri Sun Roaring Waters, where you think, hey, “water,” it’s got to be better than their regular pouches of liquid HFCS. But look — you get BOTH Sucralose AND HFCS in these. Yum. 😉
I’ve been talking with my mom about how she lost so much weight over the past year and a half, and she attributes most of it to just reading food labels. I’m not getting rid of existing products in my house (except maybe this Capri Sun, which is really, really bugging me), but am working on making better choices from here on out. You can’t always assume that “lower sugar” means something just contains less sugar, or that the only thing you have to worry about with pickles is the sodium, or that the only things in your chopped garlic in water are chopped garlic and water, or that salsa shouldn’t have corn syrup in it — it’s taking a while to get these things through my head, but we’ll get there.
- What ingredients have you been surprised by on food labels recently?
P.S. — Never fear, I’ll still post deals on Capri Sun and Quaker low sugar oatmeal and Claussen and everything else; everyone makes their own food choices. I’m just kind of musing aloud about labels I’ve been surprised by and how difficult it is sometimes to make those choices, because who woulda thunk it?
Nancy
Saturday 13th of September 2014
I stopped eating foods with artificial sweeteners back in 1999. I kept getting headaches that year and I couldn't figure out why initially. Then I realized that I got headaches on days that I brought light yogurt as part of my lunch. The yogurt had aspartame in it. Aspartame is like a poison to my body. I have (by mistake) consumed aspartame a handful of times since 1999 and each time it gives me an instant headache. Splenda followed suit within a few years of that so I learned that they are both evil. I used to have to just avoid foods that were "light" or "diet". But now it is crazy how they are being put into all kinds of products. I do read labels on everything now. I also avoid any liquid being served at a party or event. You would be surprised at how many people serve Crystal Light as their lemonade at a party or diet hot chocolate at an event in the wintertime. If I stop at a kids' lemonade stand, I just give them the money take the lemonade and then pour it out when they are not looking. I have so many friends and family members hooked on diet soft drinks and they consume liters and liters of it a week - I try to explain that it is not good to be putting all that in their bodies, but they just think "it has zero calories so why should I care." Beware of artificial sweeteners!!!
Helen
Saturday 23rd of August 2014
I'll admit it's been nice watching you make these switches. I've seen plenty of "deal" bloggers simply stop wanting to have all these foods in their own home! I am disappointed with the oatmeal as well. With food allergies, we always look for some items that make it convenient to travel, whether in a hotel or at relatives'. So I figured low-sugar oatmeal would be a good buy, but nope. :( I did buy the Thomas' limited edition Apple English muffins without reading (sounded so good, and they were!) and noticed at home they contained Splenda. Sheesh!
Rebecca
Friday 22nd of August 2014
I posted this on the reader request post, but just in case : juice boxes, look for Hansens and Apple & Eve. They sell these at Costco too and last month I noticed Costco has their own Kirkland as well. I love the fruit & veggie juice ones because they are watered down. Yes, I know it's hard to pay for water, but I water down the juice my kids get at home, I love that I don't have to give them straight juice juiceboxes, too! Apple & Eve also makes a watered down juice box.
Jeanne
Friday 22nd of August 2014
Glad to see this post. We too started eating only foods with few ingredients and that can be read. Have noticed as a family that we don't get sick nearly at all, greatly reduced seasonal allergies and no headaches anymore. Our tastes have changed as well where much of the processed food does not taste good at all.
Jackie
Thursday 21st of August 2014
I stopped buying hunt's ketchup. They use to boast on their label that they had no HFCS. Then I noticed it was no longer on their label and when I read the label there it was, HFCS, and they never lowered the price on it. When I wrote the company asking why they are now using substandard HFCS and the price does not reflect the change. They told me I can buy their organic ketchup, which is a much higher price. No thanks!! My kids use ketchup on everything. I've also switched to natural peanut butter. Little by little we are making changes to what we eat around here too.
juli
Wednesday 27th of August 2014
The meijer brand ketchup has no hfcs :)
Helen
Saturday 23rd of August 2014
That annoyed me too! We always bought it because it didn't contain HFCS. And then they quietly switched it to say "No Preservatives" without me even noticing, ugh!
Anne
Friday 22nd of August 2014
I am with you on that one, too. I don't understand why they boast it so proudly, then quietly remove it. Barbeque sauce is another one that brands have been bouncing back and forth from HFCS. Garland Jack's Secret Six is the one we're currently using which is HFCS-free (at least most flavors are), in case anyone is in search of that.