Common Foods With High Fructose Corn Syrup

Written by:

Sheena Batura, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LD

Registered Dietitian

While this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, below are some common food products that contain HFCS (in red) and helpful substitutions (in green) for those products. It also never hurts to double-check your refrigerator and pantry to see if any of the similar food items you own contain this ingredient.

Condiments

  • Ketchup - Avoid Heinz and Del Monte and instead pick up Amy’s Organic, Heniz “organic” or “simply,” Hunt's 100% Natural
  • Jelly - Get rid of the generic jellies, Smucker’s and Welch’s and instead look for brands labeled “organic”
  • Sauces - It’s time to break up with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and instead give Stubbs Original BBQ sauce. 
  • Maple syrup - It’s time to toss Aunt Jemima, Smucker’s, or Log Cabin. Give 100% Pure Maple Syrup, like Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup or Maple Grove 100% Pure Maple Syrup a try to sweeten up those morning meals. 

Snacks

  • Sweets - It’s no surprise your childhood favorites Oreos, Hostess, Little Debbie’s, Baby Ruth, and Skittles have high HCFS contents. So next time you’re craving something sweet or maybe just even a little nostalgia, try a dupe from Annie’s
  • Crackers - Who knew your salty favorite would have HCFS?! Say goodbye to the Ritz and Keebler Club Crackers and instead opt for Mary’s Gone Crackers, Simple Mills, Ak-Mak Sesame Crackers, or Nut Thins

Canned Goods

  • Applesauce - Avoid Mott’s Original Applesauce and other generic brands (read those labels!) and to keep it simple, opt for unsweetened applesauce instead.
  • Canned fruits - Any brand of canned fruit packed in syrup automatically means HCFS, so instead, just look for those packed in 100% juice. (But, be sure to read those labels to avoid additives!)

Breakfast Cereals

Instead of starting your morning off with a big ol’ bowl of HCFS like you would with some Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, or Trix, fill your morning with Cheerios, some Kashi Cereals, Life, Shredded Wheat, or Barbara’s Cereal.

Bread

Repeat after me: NO to Wonderbread, Sara Lee, or Pepperidge Farms and YES Ezekiel Bread (and other sprouted grain bread brands), Dave’s Killer Bread, Canyon Bakehouse (GF)

Written by:

Sheena Batura, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LD

Registered Dietitian