Tips for Moms - Grocery Shopping 101

I spend a minimum of six hours each month in local grocery stores shopping for my family of 5. As a mother, this is without a doubt, one of my most important responsibilities! Moms, the buck stops with us. And although our husbands would probably disagree, its so much more than just making sure the refrigerator is fully stocked with food. For us moms, we also need to make sure that food we purchased is going to nourish us and keep our families healthy for years to come.

I’ve known for quite some time about the negative connotations frequently associated High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Sometimes, however, I have a difficult time explaining to others exactly why I try to stay clear of this ingredient when shopping in the grocery store. In an effort to better educate myself regarding this popular sweetener, I began doing some personal research. Marion Nestle’s article for foodpolitics.com, provided a simple explanation as to just what it is, and why you may want to avoid it.

Although often-times presented as such, HFCS is NOT public enemy number one! In fact, it is actually fairly similar to sucrose, or what most Americans refer to as common table sugar. Both products contain glucose and fructose in varying amounts, and both are consumed at nearly the same rate per year. Sucrose, however, is more expensive than HFCS which means you’re likely to see plenty of processed food items containing the corn based product at your local grocery store.

Not surprisingly, companies who manufacture what we mothers commonly refer to as "junk food" tend to utilize HFCS for this very reason. Nestle’s point in showing the similarities and differences between the two sweeteners is that since our bodies prefer to metabolize fructose as fat, both HFCS and sucrose should be consumed in moderation. Please take a look at her article for additional information.