List of Foods With No Fructose Corn Syrup
Many processed foods contain high fructose corn syrup to increase their shelf life and improve taste. Since regular consumption of high fructose corn syrup has health risks, you may want to focus on eating foods that do not contain this additive. Non-processed foods do not contain high fructose corn syrup,and they offer many other nutritional benefits.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables contain no high fructose corn syrup and they also offer the benefit of essential vitamins and minerals. Add carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and lettuce to your salad to reap the benefits of fresh vegetables without adding high fructose corn syrup to your diet.
Fruits
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No fresh fruits contain high fructose corn syrup, so eating apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines and other fresh fruits is a good way to get fiber and other nutrients without consuming high fructose corn syrup. You can also can fruit or use it for jams and jellies without using high fructose corn syrup. If you buy canned fruits, check the labels carefully. Some companies add high fructose corn syrup to canned fruits to preserve them and make them sweeter.
- No fresh fruits contain high fructose corn syrup, so eating apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines and other fresh fruits is a good way to get fiber and other nutrients without consuming high fructose corn syrup.
- Some companies add high fructose corn syrup to canned fruits to preserve them and make them sweeter.
Meats
Fresh and frozen meats do not contain high fructose corn syrup, provided they do not have sauces or marinades. Prepared foods, meat sauces and luncheon meats often have high fructose corn syrup as an additive, so check food labels carefully to avoid buying products prepared with this ingredient. If you prepare meats at home, you will reduce your overall consumption of high fructose corn syrup.
Nuts and Seeds
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For a high-protein snack with healthy fats and no high fructose corn syrup, try a variety of nuts and seeds. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios and peanuts contain protein, fiber and unsaturated fats that help you feel full for longer periods. Sunflower seeds contain antioxidants, magnesium, phosphorus and B vitamins, making them a healthy snack free of food additives and preservatives.
Grain Products
Some manufacturers sweeten and preserve their grain products with high fructose corn syrup. Check labels carefully to determine which products contain this additive. Breads made without high fructose corn syrup include Pepperidge Farm honey wheatberry, Pepperidge Farms whole grain honey oat, Thomas’s low-carb English muffins and Milton’s wheat bread. Cereals without high fructose corn syrup include Life, Albertson brand rice squares and Post Grape-Nuts.
- Some manufacturers sweeten and preserve their grain products with high fructose corn syrup.
Beverages
Several beverages do not contain high fructose corn syrup. These beverages contain sugar and other sweeteners instead of the corn-based fructose syrup. Beverages made without high fructose corn syrup include Tropicana orange juice, Nestle NesQuick chocolate milk powder, Northland cranberry juice and the original formula of Dr. Pepper.
Condiments
Some condiments contain high fructose corn syrup as a preservative, but others contain more natural ingredients. Condiments made without high fructose corn syrup include Farman’s pickle relish, Heinz organic ketchup, Mt. Olive hamburger dill chips and French’s Worcestershire sauce.
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References
- Stop HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup-Free Food List
- Princeton University: A Sweet Problem: Princeton Researchers Find That High-fructose Corn Syrup Prompts Considerably More Weight Gain
- Popkin BM, Hawkes C. Sweetening of the global diet, particularly beverages: patterns, trends, and policy responses. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;4(2):174-186. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00419-2
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. How much sugar do you eat?. Updated August 2014.
- DeSilver D. How America's diet has changed over time. Pew Research Center. Updated December 13, 2016.
- Lakhan SE, Kirchgessner A. The emerging role of dietary fructose in obesity and cognitive decline. Nutr J. 2013;12:114. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-114
- Djiogue S, Nwabo Kamdje AH, Vecchio L, et al. Insulin resistance and cancer: the role of insulin and IGFs. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2013;20(1):R1-R17. doi:10.1530/ERC-12-0324
- Page KA, Chan O, Arora J, et al. Effects of fructose vs glucose on regional cerebral blood flow in brain regions involved with appetite and reward pathways. JAMA. 2013;309(1):63-70. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.116975
- Goran MI, Ulijaszek SJ, Ventura EE. High fructose corn syrup and diabetes prevalence: a global perspective. Glob Public Health. 2013;8(1):55-64. doi:10.1080/17441692.2012.736257
- Walker RW, Dumke KA, Goran MI. Fructose content in popular beverages made with and without high-fructose corn syrup. Nutrition. 2014;30(7-8):928-35. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.003
- American Heart Association. Added sugars. Updated April 17, 2018.
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Writer Bio
Leigh Ann Morgan began working as a writer in 2004. She has extensive experience in the business field having served as the manager of a $34 million rental property portfolio. Morgan also appeared as a guest on an episode of National Public Radio's "Marketplace Money" in 2005.