Print ads and commercials trying to dispel the public's negative beliefs about high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) have been popping up all over the place in recent months. It's no wonder those who stand to profit from HFCS feel the need to defend it; many manufacturers are starting to create HFCS-free foods to give consumers a choice.

Pepsi will soon be hopping on board the HFCS-free bandwagon. Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback are old-school versions of the popular sodas -- instead of HFCS, they're sweetened with sugar. It's sweet to have choices, isn't it?

Of course sugar doesn't do your hips any favors, either. So, you'd think weight-conscious consumers would be totally on board with artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly, only about 15 percent of Americans opt for artificially sweetened products.

Like anything else, as a consumer, you have to decide what works best for you:

• High Fructose Corn Syrup. HFCS has really gotten a bad rep over the years. Among other things, it's been blamed for the obesity epidemic. Though I'm no fan of HFCS, blaming obesity on it is a bit unfair. It's kind of like saying your premium gasoline is the reason you got a speeding ticket. Calorie-wise, it is the same as sugar. However, HFCS is mainly fructose, which is thought to increase ipogenesis (the process that converts sugar into fat). HFCS lurks in many processed foods, including many you wouldn't suspect (such as spaghetti sauce). Your best bet for avoiding HFCS is choosing natural foods as much as possible. (And, yes, fructose is also found in fruit. But the day fruit -- with all of it's natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and other nutrients -- is criticized for containing fructose is the day that pigs will fly.)
  
• Sugar. As HFCS battles its bad rep, it's no surprise that sugar is making a comeback. But is sugar really any better for you? It contains the same 15 calories per teaspoon as HFCS. But who goes around eating a teaspoon of sugar? Most of our sugar consumption comes from processed foods and baked goods. Sugar (sucrose) is a simple carbohydrate (meaning it's digested quickly), though it's surprisingly low on the Glycemic Index.
• Non-nutritive sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are widely used in diet beverages and other reduced-calorie products. However, calorie-free may not be all it's cracked up to be. Research has found that people who drink diet soda still tend to gain weight -- possibly because of the sweet cravings their calorie-free drink may create.

When it comes to sweeteners, what do you steer towards? Are you cool with HFCS? Do you prefer plain old sugar? Are calorie-free artificial sweeteners your best friends? Or do you choose other options, such as honey or stevia?