The agave nectar alternative
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Agave nectar has shown up as tidbits in various post on That's Fit before, whether it's an ingredient in a hot chocolate recipe or an element of a celebrity's diet. But for those of you who don't know the details of what this sweet syrup is, where it comes from and why it's a good alternative to sugar or artificial sweeteners, this is for you:Agave nectar is derived from a Mexican plant and considered a healthy alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners because it's naturally derived and has a low glycemic effect, which is explained thoroughly in this article on Shake Off the Sugar a web site devoted to low-carb options and reducing sugar intake. And here's another article about the trend in use of agave as a sweet alternative.
As for me, I use it in tea and baking recipes as well as in my morning oatmeal. The other day, I used it in lemonade. But I found adding a little organic sugar made the taste of the lemons come out more. Call me crazy.
My experiments have been fun and mostly successful. And I can vouch for agave's low glycemic load as I'm a type 1 diabetic using an insulin pump to control blood sugar and testing often. The effect of agave nectar on my blood sugar is minimal. But of course other experiences might be different. Our bodies are not entirely identical in how they react to various substances. And I'm not your doctor, so talk to yours about how you might use agave in your diet.
You can usually find agave in your local health food store. My local Super Target stocks it too. And you can buy online too. Sweet!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-21-2008 @ 2:40PM
Tim said...
Deanna,
Thank you for your article! How does honey compare to agave nectar? I realize that because honey is not vegan that may be a consideration for some. But I'm curious to know what effect it has on blood sugars.
Thank you,
Tim
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4-21-2008 @ 5:51PM
Heather said...
I second it in the morning oatmeal. YUMMY!
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4-29-2008 @ 9:23PM
debby said...
I love to shop at www.wholeandnatural.com. They have all kinds of healthy and natural kosher food and snacks. The stuff is fresh and low prices.
Debby
btw I used a coupon bldc08 try it
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