Before you panic and think we're attacking legitimate maple syrup, we'd like to make it clear that we're most definitely not doing anything of the sort. We're talking about pancake syrups such as Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth that don't even have a drop of the real stuff in them. Most of these generic syrups are comprised of high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to obesity and diabetes, and caramel coloring, which is carcinogenic, i.e. cancer-causing.
The good news is that when eaten in moderation, genuine maple syrup is not a bad alternative. Because the flavor is so strong, there's no need to drench your pancakes or French toast in it. A little bit tends to go a long way. For those wanting to give up the sweet stuff completely, try enjoying your pancakes with some real butter and fruit on top.