While some may describe the semi-masochistic nature of Crossfit as a sweet sickness, today the topic is high-fructose corn syrup (aka HFCS). For those new to the gym and have yet to try a Zone or Paleo diet, you may be surprised at how many of your food items have HFCS added. It can be found in everything from breads, cereals, granola bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and even ketchup!
So you might wonder — why should you avoid this stuff? There was a recent study that found mercury in nearly half of tested samples of commercial HFCS. Considering how many products contain HFCS, the potential for increasing mercury consumption is frightening.
Since you have likely come to Crossfit to improve your health and body, you might want to take a closer look at the labels of food you eat and see if HFCS is along for the ride. Also, don’t be fooled by the recent trend to replace HFCS with “organic pure cane sugar” — it’s NOT any healthier!
For more reading on the subject, check here and here.
WOD – 4.2.09
Five rounds for time of:
9 Chest-to-bar pullups*
15 V-ups
21 Box jumps
* – utilize pullup progressions as needed.
Great post Marcus! It’s pretty unfortunate that a ton of the foods marketed towards children is loaded with this crap. We’re going to have extra vigilant eyes when buying food for our kids.
What a buzz kill… =( Doesn’t Organic Cane Sugar sound SO paleo friendly? Awesome post, even if I do want to shoot the messenger!
That just takes all the fun out of eating!! But you’re right – I’ll live happier and healthier longer thanks to this tidbit of info.