Sugar! Most of us love it – too much. So much that, at the request of one mom, I wrote a post on cutting sugar out of your diet. But the sweetness is addicting so we are forever in search of the healthy sugar substitute.
Enter Agave Nectar:
I first encountered agave nectar in a local shop that sells bread baking supplies. The lady in the shop talked up its good points. So, I bought some and even bought a cookbook for it. I started using it in my coffee, but I developed these strange red welts around my rib cage. When I stopped using it, the welts went away. I gave it to my friend who is diabetic. Because, all they hype said that it was a good choice for diabetics. Much later, I learned the truth.
Here are some facts you should know about agave nectar:
- It isn’t truly natural. What you buy is highly processed.[1]
- Agave nectar can be 70-97% fructose, making it higher than most high fructose corn syrup. [2]
- Contrary to what is said, the agave nectar on the market is not a part of traditional Mexican culture. [1]
- It’s safe to say that agave nectar is worse than sugar AND high fructose corn syrup.
After I learned the facts about agave nectar, I told my friend to throw it away. Fortunately, she had not used any of it. Personally, I choose to have less sugar in my life. I quit caffeine for about a year back in 2010. All my life I drank coffee with sugar and milk. When I decided to drink coffee again, I also decided to drink it without sugar. To my surprise, my caffeine jitters went away!
[1] Why I NEVER Use Agave
[2] Shocking! This ‘Tequila’ Sweetener is Far Worse than High Fructose Corn Syrup
Agave Plant Photo Courtesy Sheila in Moonducks via Flickr
Agave Nectar Photo Courtesy moria (Heather Kennedy) via Flickr
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wow!! crazy! i had no idea!
Thank you for sharing this info…I have been an active anti-agave person for years…so glad you are as well!!