Syrup.....Real vs. Imitation

As an advocate for REAL food, I want to briefly discuss the differences between real pure maple syrup and the imitation kind of syrup we have been pouring over our pancakes, waffles and french toast for years.

The majority of us substitute real maple syrup with imitation versions because it is cheaper.  I don't remember the last time I saw a television commercial for maple syrup but there are plenty of advertisements for the artificial brands. There people I know who have NEVER even tasted real maple syrup! They grew up with imposters such as Aunt Jemima or Mrs. Butterworth's.  When I was growing up, my mom was always on a diet and gave us reduced calorie imitation syrup for our pancakes and such.  In those days, lo-cal syrup was sweetened with saccharin (an imitation, no calorie sugar substitute linked to cancer in rats back in the late 1970's.  It has never been proven to cause cancer in humans but personally, I avoid ANY type of artificial sweetener as if it were "plague in a packet").  It wasn't until I was an adult and became interested in health and nutrition that I tried real maple syrup for the first time.  I always keep it on hand now to serve with Sunday breakfast, drizzle over baked acorn squash, or to add a touch of sweetness to homemade salad dressing.

Maple syrup is pure.  It is produced from the sap of maple trees; nothing artificial, no preservatives, no ingredients you can't pronounce.  Anything that does not state PURE maple syrup on the label is mostly cornstarch and water.  Maple flavored syrup by law must contain trace amounts of the real thing but it is not benefiting you at all. Pure maple syrup is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium.  Yes, it is processed, but when you weigh the differences between the production of maple syrup to a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's, pure maple syrup is the smarter, healthier choice.

Here are the ingredients in Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup:  High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, cellulose gum, molasses, potassium sorbate (preservative), sodium hexametaphosphate, citric acid, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors. 

YUCK!!! I could't imagine pouring imitation, chemical-laden sugar water over a batch of my lovingly mixed, carefully flipped homemade pancakes!  What a tragedy that would be! Would you honestly want to serve this to your family?

Strive to make the best choices possible concerning the foods you eat.  Sometimes the best choices are a bit more expensive but in the long run are healthier and better for you.  Your body is your temple.  Treat it like a church.  You wear Sunday best to church.  Give your body the same respect. Give it your Sunday best every day with REAL food!

And this is my Daily Cyn..........