That means you have to start reading labels, vigilently. Since ingredients are listed in order of amount, select foods with HFCS toward the end, rather than as the first few listed ingredients. A small move like will make a dent and reduce your family's intake. At first, label reading will slow your grocery shopping. But soon you'll know how to make swift decisions and choose the best products.

Some simple suggestions: Buy old-fashioned oats or unsweetened cold cereal, and add your own sweetener. Choose fruit canned in its own juice, not heavy syrup. And buy 100 percent juice, not fruit drink blends or soda.

Snacks such as popcorn, dried fruit, rice cakes, nuts and cheese cubes can be found without HFCS. USDA Certified Organic foods will not contain HFCS either. To save money, buy organic foods in bulk. Look for deals and freeze some for later. Also, learn to make items you frequently use.

BBQ sauce and salad dressing often carry HFCS, but a delicious homemade version can be made almost effortlessly using ingredients most everyone has in the refrigerator already. The same is true for muffins and cookies. Freeze a batch so you always have some on hand for a healthy snack.

I agree that the recent reports about HFC are troubling. But, if the controversy gets families eating more natural foods, we will all be better off for it!