I signed up for the Premium Success and was released by my counselor my 2nd week when I complained how "sweet" all of the foods were and not very good. I also asked why they would put Corn Syrup in the dinners - that is some bad stuff. When I asked if I could prepare my own meals she said the program was not for me. But I can't get a refund or a return call from anyone.

I'm willing to bet, alot of us come from eating fast food, (or maybe preparing incredibly unhealthy food). Have you read the ingredients in THAT food? YUCK! Fast food is some BAD stuff!

ANYTHING that gets us eating more fruits and veggies, is a GOOD thing compared to fast food. I think your counselor is right, this program is not for you.

Take care, now.

/wave

I agree with you JC food IS CRAP. But I look the other way till i loose more weight than i will return to my favorite store WHOLE FOODS for some fresh organic food. Its ashame that for so much monney JC cant provide a much better quality of food, they should at least try. At first I felt guilty eating the JC food i felt like I was doing more harm than good.

They have corn syrup in some of the food because many people who come to the program need to have sweets to keep them from giving up and going back to the higher-calorie, non-portion-controlled food they were eating before. Why corn syrup? Because it is inexpensive and the company tries to keep prices as low as they can. And because they try to avoid artificial sweeteners. However, many of the items use sugar, not corn syrup, for the sweetening.

If you don't like the food, don't eat it. This is a food-based program, and if you are cooking for yourself and aren't doing the program, there is little they can do to help you. If you want to do your own food preparation, choose a program that is based on that premise. Weight Watchers and TOPS are good for this. There are also several food-based programs for food purists that you can choose (that don't have a joining fee or written materials (But be prepared--they cost $30-$55 a day) According to company policy, if you aren't buying the appropriate amount of food each week, you are considered a maintenance member, and are entitled to only one maintenance consultation per month, not weekly weight loss consultations.

But really, is a tiny amount of corn syrup that big a concern? Really? Or are you just looking for excuses? Only you can answer that.

If you are serious about changing your lifestyle so that you don't have to lose again (that's what this program is best for, not simply weight loss), then find a way to stay on program. If you want to be a purist who won't consume even a tiny amount of corn syrup, then ask for a document they have that lists all the ingredients in all of the food. Just looking through what I have in my cupboard and freezer, there are many items that do not contain any corn syrup. Choose those if you are serious about wanting to lose the weight and keep it off.

Best of luck to you, as you try to resolve this conflict. But keep in mind that you really can do the program if you really want to, even if you want to avoid corn syrup. Look at it this way: Has avoiding corn syrup thus far led to successful weight management for you?

Education is everything, why not look at both views for and against corn syrup use, and come up with your own conclusion, just because you hear 'bad, bad, bad" doens't make it necesarily Bad... check out this info regarding those who think corn syrup is not the enemy

There are always two sides and much debate, however not proven, here are facts supporting Corn syrup is not evil

The American Medical Association has stated that, “Because the composition of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that high fructose corn syrup contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose.” (Report 3 of the Council on Science and Public Health A-08, June 2008.)

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), “high fructose corn syrup…is nutritionally equivalent to sucrose. Once absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.” The ADA also noted that “Both sweeteners contain the same number of calories (4 per gram) and consist of about equal parts of fructose and glucose.” (Hot Topics, “High Fructose Corn Syrup.” December 2008.)

Registered Dietitians share their views about
High Fructose Corn Syrup

“Well, the body digests table sugar very rapidly. And both HFCS and table sugar (sucrose) enter the bloodstream as glucose and fructose—the metabolism of which is identical. There is no significant difference in the overall rate of absorption between table sugar and HFCS, which explains why these two sweeteners have the same effects on the body.”


Becky Hand, R.D, L.D, M.Ed., lead advising dietician for SparkPeople.com and BabyFit.com
SparkPeople.com, September 1, 2009

“As a rule, journalists are trying to report something ‘new’ or something that challenges the usual way of thinking. This goal can contribute to reporting health stories that conflict. … Journalists writing about the supposed dangers of consuming high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) fell into that trap. As a result, many consumers blame HFCS for causing the obesity epidemic. … Most experts know that the composition of HFCS and sucrose are very similar and that the body uses both in the same way.”

Kathy Kolasa, R.D, Ph.D., Professor of Family Medicine and Pediatrics and head of the Division of Nutrition in Family Medicine, East Carolina University
The Daily Reflector, June 24, 2009

"Regardless if it's honey, cane sugar, high fructose
corn syrup or just plain sugar, we metabolize it the same."

Carrie Taylor, R.D., L.D.N., Registered Dietitian for Big Y Foods
ABC 40 News At 12, April 8, 2009

"The real deal about high fructose corn syrup is that your body doesn’t see it any differently than sugar or honey. Why? Because HFCS is comprised of approximately equal ratios of glucose and fructose just like sugar (sucrose) and honey. It is purified from corn with no artificial ingredients as sugar is derived from sugar cane and sugar beets. Sugar and corn syrup are equally sweet and both contain four calories per gram. You might have heard that honey is healthier than either sugar or HFCS. Honey does contain small amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals, but these compounds together make up less than 0.5% of honey. Depending on the type of floral, honey does contain varying levels of antioxidants."

Susan Mitchell, Ph.D., R.D., L.N., Family Circle Health and Medical Advisory Board Member
ThirdAge.com, November 20, 2008


"From a registered dietitian with two degrees in nutrition and over 30 years working in the field, the truth is the body is absolutely unable to distinguish “white table sugar” (or sucrose, its scientific name) from HFCS."

Neva Cochran, M.S., R.D., L.D., Nutrition Consultant and Writer
Mason County News, October 29, 2008


"Much of the debate surrounding HFCS focuses on differences in the metabolic effects of glucose and fructose, the two simple sugars that combine to make the product. But both table sugar (sucrose) and HFCS are composed of nearly equal amounts of fructose and glucose. Since sucrose is easily broken down in the digestive tract to the two simple sugars, both HFCS and table sugar seem to result in absorption of similar amounts of fructose and glucose."

Karen Collins, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Nutrition Advisor
AICR Nutrition Notes, September 8, 2008


"High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sugar, nothing more, nothing less. If you choose not to eat it, I’m fine with that decision. But your decision should be made because you have decided to eat less sweetened foods and drinks, not because you believe HFCS is some dietary devil to be avoided at all costs."

Jo-Ann Heslin, M.A., R.D., C.D.N., Food and Nutrition Columnist HealthNewsDigest.com
HealthNewsDigest.com, July 20, 2008



Why is High Fructose Corn Syrup in Foods?

High fructose corn syrup provides many consumer benefits and often plays a key role in the integrity of food and beverage products that has little to do with sweetening.


Here are some examples in popular products:


Baked goods
In baked goods, high fructose corn syrup:

•gives a pleasing brown crust to breads and cakes;
•contributes fermentable sugars to yeast-raised products;
•reduces sugar crystallization during baking for soft-moist textures; and
•enhances flavors of fruit fillings.


Yogurt
In yogurt, high fructose corn syrup:

•provides fermentable sugars;
•enhances fruit and spice flavors;
•controls moisture to prevent separation; and
•regulates tartness.


Spaghetti sauces, ketchup, and condiments
In spaghetti sauces, ketchup, and condiments, high fructose corn syrup:

•enhances flavor and balance – replaces the “pinch of table sugar" grandma added to enhance spice flavors; and
•balances the variable tartness of tomatoes.



Beverages
In beverages, high fructose corn syrup:

•provides greater stability in acidic carbonated sodas than sucrose; and
•flavors remain consistent and stable over the entire shelf- life of the product.


Granola, breakfast and energy bars
In granola, breakfast and energy bars, high fructose corn syrup:

•enhances moisture control, retards spoilage, and extends product freshness;
•provides soft texture; and
•enhances spice and fruit flavors.


Canned and frozen fruits
In canned and frozen fruits, high fructose corn syrup:

•protects the firm texture of canned fruits;
•reduces freezer burn in frozen fruits; and
•enhances fruit flavors.


Frozen beverage concentrates
In frozen beverage concentrates, high fructose corn syrup:

•has a lower freezing point, so frozen beverage concentrates have the added convenience of being pourable straight from the freezer and easier for consumers to thaw and mix with water.

I don't understand why would you feel bad about eating JC food? Is it worse that what got us fat? I didn't gain weight because I was eating healthy. I gained it because I was eating unhealthy and not exercising. Not making the right choices. If you were able to do it on your own by changing your diet and exercise then you wouldn't need to join JC. You could just do it. I don't think anyone that joins JC is a healthnut otherwise they wouldn't have a weight issue and a reason to join. I think lots of people become much more health conscious because of JC and that's a wonderful thing. If you've gained enough knowledge and discipline to be able to stop the program and do it on your own with your own food then good for you.