If you're a parent of young kids, then you've been introduced to Capri Sun. Believe me, I know.
Now, maybe you don't indulge--which is a good thing. However, if your children are exposed to other children, as I'm sure they are, then you have witnessed the alluring, mystical powers that Capri Sun has over kids. Seriously. I've dubbed this stuff "Crack-Sun" over the way kids act like a junkie needing a fix when they catch a glimpse of those silver foil pouches: "CAPRI SUUUUUUUUUUUUN!! YAY!!"
Somehow or another, these concoctions-in-a-pouch have been dubbed "healthy". (I try really hard not to let my eyes roll around in my head. Really hard.)
Their origin is from a German producer by the name of Dr. Hans Peter Wilde back in the 60's. He wanted to come up with a beverage alternative to fake juices (back in the day it was Tang--'memba that?) with nothing artificial added. What ensued was a product that claimed only five or six ingredients and no artificial colors or preservatives; something that was clear like water but also had "nutritional value", aka "healthy". He came up with Capri Sonne, later changed to it's current name and then bought by Kraft.
Yup. And with its all-powerful marketing, it's no wonder Capri Sun began showing up literally everywhere. But healthy? Um....yeah.....I don't think so.
Capri Sun has four (ahem) "wholesome" product lines as they state on their website: Original, Sunrise, 100% Juice and Roarin' Waters. The only variety that doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup is the 100% Juice line. A far cry from Dr. Wilde's vision, doncha think? And even though they do have a 100% juice line, this is not the version that is widely circulated in your community--oh no. The empty pouches that you'll find lying about and in the trash are the Roarin Waters and Original--both of which contain high fructose corn syrup.
Now keep in mind that not only is HFCS the total opposite of healthy, it's also GMO!
But I wanted to dig further into the reason behind its addictive quality; I knew there had to be something there, because it's been my experience that if there's an addictive quality about a food or drink, you can rest assured that there's a chemical or two creating it.
So, let's look at what else is lurking in them-there Capri Suns:
Citric Acid - used to create "tartness" -- we know kids like tart things --
and also as a preservative, and it is derived from mold.
Sucralose (Splenda) - In June of 2013 Medical News Today stated that its
safety was being downgraded from "safe" to "caution" -- as in consume
with caution -- after an Italian study linked its usage to an increased risk of
developing leukemia.
Natural Flavor - should speak for itself, however, its deceptive usage is
gaining awareness across communities. Basically, if the flavors are
natural, then the producer will usually state "cherry flavor" or something like
that. Otherwise, natural flavoring falls under the umbrella of MSG, and
there is talk of it being derived from the reproductive parts of (gasp)
beavers!
I guess you could deduce that the addictive qualities served up in these junkie-pouches comes from all things NOT natural: HFCS, Citric Acid, and factory derived flavors--which kids absolutely love, yes, but not at all what you want to put into them.
So now you know. Yet again, don't be fooled, and don't be Big Food's fool. Just say no, and make sure your teachers and other moms & dads are informed, too. Put your foot down. Let's stop being suckers for the food industry, okay?
Blessings and best of health,
Judith
"Planting your nutrition seed for the day."
Sources:
http://momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com/scrutiny_by_the_masses/2014/02/what-is-capri-sun.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262475.php
http://drhyman.com/blog/2013/11/11/never-eat-high-fructose-corn-syrup/
Now, maybe you don't indulge--which is a good thing. However, if your children are exposed to other children, as I'm sure they are, then you have witnessed the alluring, mystical powers that Capri Sun has over kids. Seriously. I've dubbed this stuff "Crack-Sun" over the way kids act like a junkie needing a fix when they catch a glimpse of those silver foil pouches: "CAPRI SUUUUUUUUUUUUN!! YAY!!"
Somehow or another, these concoctions-in-a-pouch have been dubbed "healthy". (I try really hard not to let my eyes roll around in my head. Really hard.)
Their origin is from a German producer by the name of Dr. Hans Peter Wilde back in the 60's. He wanted to come up with a beverage alternative to fake juices (back in the day it was Tang--'memba that?) with nothing artificial added. What ensued was a product that claimed only five or six ingredients and no artificial colors or preservatives; something that was clear like water but also had "nutritional value", aka "healthy". He came up with Capri Sonne, later changed to it's current name and then bought by Kraft.
Yup. And with its all-powerful marketing, it's no wonder Capri Sun began showing up literally everywhere. But healthy? Um....yeah.....I don't think so.
Capri Sun has four (ahem) "wholesome" product lines as they state on their website: Original, Sunrise, 100% Juice and Roarin' Waters. The only variety that doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup is the 100% Juice line. A far cry from Dr. Wilde's vision, doncha think? And even though they do have a 100% juice line, this is not the version that is widely circulated in your community--oh no. The empty pouches that you'll find lying about and in the trash are the Roarin Waters and Original--both of which contain high fructose corn syrup.
Now keep in mind that not only is HFCS the total opposite of healthy, it's also GMO!
But I wanted to dig further into the reason behind its addictive quality; I knew there had to be something there, because it's been my experience that if there's an addictive quality about a food or drink, you can rest assured that there's a chemical or two creating it.
So, let's look at what else is lurking in them-there Capri Suns:
Citric Acid - used to create "tartness" -- we know kids like tart things --
and also as a preservative, and it is derived from mold.
Sucralose (Splenda) - In June of 2013 Medical News Today stated that its
safety was being downgraded from "safe" to "caution" -- as in consume
with caution -- after an Italian study linked its usage to an increased risk of
developing leukemia.
Natural Flavor - should speak for itself, however, its deceptive usage is
gaining awareness across communities. Basically, if the flavors are
natural, then the producer will usually state "cherry flavor" or something like
that. Otherwise, natural flavoring falls under the umbrella of MSG, and
there is talk of it being derived from the reproductive parts of (gasp)
beavers!
I guess you could deduce that the addictive qualities served up in these junkie-pouches comes from all things NOT natural: HFCS, Citric Acid, and factory derived flavors--which kids absolutely love, yes, but not at all what you want to put into them.
So now you know. Yet again, don't be fooled, and don't be Big Food's fool. Just say no, and make sure your teachers and other moms & dads are informed, too. Put your foot down. Let's stop being suckers for the food industry, okay?
Blessings and best of health,
Judith
"Planting your nutrition seed for the day."
Sources:
http://momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com/scrutiny_by_the_masses/2014/02/what-is-capri-sun.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262475.php
http://drhyman.com/blog/2013/11/11/never-eat-high-fructose-corn-syrup/
