Agave? Stevia?

[gauguin57]

I'm trying different kinds of natural sweeteners ... I'm reading all sorts of conflicting info about them. Anyone know if either agave or stevia are actually better for you than sugar/honey/artificial sweeteners?

[lurky]

1. I use agave.

It has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, so it doesn't give you the massive "sugar rush" or the crash you get with regular sugar. Also, it is sweeter than sugar, so you don't have to use as much to get the same amount of taste. It doesn't have a distinctive taste like honey does, it just adds sweetness to your food.

I haven't used stevia, so I can't compare with that one.

[Schema Thing]

2. I know from experience that Agave can be used...

in the "cleansing" fast that many people do with gradeB maple syrup and lemon and cayanne pepper.



Apparently, Maple syrup (only grade b?) and Agave both have a low glycemic index compared to other sugars. I think this is what allows you to drink this stuff all day and not have wild spikes in energy level while still not being to hungry and having energy.


Note: just looked after writing the above, and Agave has a *much* lower glycemic index, 15 vs 64, when compared to regular white or brown sugar. Maple syrup (not specified A or B) is only a little lower than sugar, 54 vs 64.


Agave taste good too, imo.

[The empressof all]

3. Both are Natural and plant based

Agave is a syrup and generally has a calorie count of about 60 calories per Tablespoon. It is low glycemic however and enters the blood stream more slowly than table sugar, honey or tree syrups. It's good for cooking and baking. I substitute it for honey in recipes and adjust liquids when using it for cookies or brownies. I really like it in denser kinds of baked goods like quick breads, bars and cookies. It's also really nice on Pancakes and I have been known during a binge to put a little on some toast with peanut butter and raisins. :wow:

Stevia is far lower calories. It's difficult IMO to adjust quantities for baking and it has an aftertaste similar to licorice. I use it in tea and in hot chocolate. I don't use it for home baking though I have read some recipes that say they get good results.

[enlightenment]

7. Ah hah! That's the slightly icky aftertaste I've been trying to

identify with stevia. Tried it in tea and it was awful - it's okay in lemonade . . .

Hadn't considered agave - is it easy to find?

[The empressof all]

9. I got some just yesterday at Costco

If I didn't have problems with the pounds I'd use Agave for everything. I love how it tastes. It has a slightly buttery flavor and feels very rich and deep. I don't recall how much I paid for it but it wasn't ridiculously expensive. It comes in a two bottle pack.

[enlightenment]

10. The high calorie count is a concern, but

it's not the much higher than refined sugar . . .

Thank you for the information!

[TygrBright]

4. Agave is yummy. Stevia tastes a tad medicinal to me.

I use agave in my tea, on porridge, and in my sweet beancake recipe, among other things.

helpfully,
Bright

[gauguin57]

5. I've been using agave in my coffee in the morning. Makes the coffee taste good.

Makes it taste sweet without the sickening sweetness of artificial sweeteners. But I read somewhere the high fructose content of agave can be a problem.

I'm glad so many people are using it. Frankly, I think I'll stick with honey and agave, because they're both natural substances that come right from the plant/animal world -- not as an accident while people were trying to develop a new insecticide, as happened with Splenda.

[safeinOhio]

6. I use a tablespoon of Jack in my coffee

sweet spicy taste. yumm

[gblady]

8. I love agave.....

I'm lucky to be able to buy it in bulk at my local supermarket!
Yummy stuff.

[shanti]

11. stevia is great, imo!

any aftertaste is slight compared to other sweeteners like splenda, etc. i've only used it in tea, but plan to try other recipes now that i've been dx'd with diabetes :(

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MorningGlow]

13. I like agave, but I use too much of it

I like my coffee really sweet, so I end up using too much agave, and even at 60 calories a serving, that's too many calories for me. I'm going to go back to Stevia. It has more of an aftertaste, but it has no calories.

[Mamacrat]

14. Xylitol

Have any of you tried xylitol? It's derived from the fiber of a variety of plants. It's good for dental health, too.

[Abq_Sarah]

15. Agave is

anywhere from 55% - 80% fructose. HFCS is 55% fructose for comparison.

Personally, I won't touch it.

I've experimented with stevia and some brands are definitely better than others. I've tried Truvia, which is a stevia/Erythritol combination and it's not bad. No bitterness from the Stevia and you don't get the cooling effect that can be found with Erythritol.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.