Goodbye High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hello Evaporated Cane Juice

There are two ingredients I try to avoid whenever possible: partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). They are everywhere, and they are horrible. Trying to find foods without them can be difficult - especially when noting the price difference - but removing these two from your diet can go a long way towards improving your health, in my opinion.

PHO are the source of the notorious trans fat. Since January of 2006, trans fat has been required on content listings, but in order to completely remove it from your diet, you have to look further than "0g trans fat." Specifically, avoid any mention of any "partially hydrogenated" or "hydrogenated" oil in the ingredients list. Only when the oil is expressly listed as "fully hydrogenated" can you be sure it doesn't contain any trans fat.

HFCS is the poster-child of soft drinks - and just about everything else sweet. It's even in many health foods, although "healthy" is the last word I'd use to describe it. The alternative? Evaporated cane juice. Yes, it's still sugar and should be eaten in moderation, but it avoids the processing and refining of HFCS. Other than going into the fields to eat the actual sugar cane, I'm not sure if there is a better option for those with a sweet tooth.