[Barb0522]

I think Splenda is 50 calories per cup so I only count the calories when baking.

[pamatga]

I was just saying that I haven't tried Agave and I would like to know how that is metabolized by people who are trying to avoid all natural sweetners. Maybe some of the folks over on the Sugarbusters forum could step up to the plate on this one.

We just may be comparing apples and oranges here, ladies.

I just checked my box of Splenda and it says 0 everything right down the line for the individual packets which I use on occasion when I make my "sweet" tea (hey this is the South).

I have used it for baking but that box is long gone so I can't answer about that. I avoid baking because I have emotional eating issues I am also trying to resolve. If it ain't around, you can't sniff it, snort it, inhale it, drink it or eat it!!

Sugar is a trigger for me and when I get more information I will see what agave does to me. If you find out before I do, pass it around. I am sure there are other inquiring minds that want to know......

Thanks Barb and Jilly for the input on this "hot topic"...


Agave or bust......

[TechieGrrl09]

One note of caution about the Agave nectar is that its glycemic load does vary depending upon the food that it is consumed with. This is questionable as I do not see a good resource to reference but here is the quote:

Fructose has a low glycemic value. However, according to some experts, if fructose is consumed after eating a large meal that overly raises the blood sugar or with high glycemic foods, it no longer has a low glycemic value. Strangely enough, it will take on the value of the higher glycemic food. So exercise restraint, even with this wonderful sweetener. It is a good policy to eat fructose-based desserts on an empty stomach, in between meals or with other low-glycemic foods. Use it for an occasional treat or for a light touch of sweetness in your dishes.

Personally, the wonderful thing about the SB way of life is the flexibility that we are allowed as individuals to discover what works for us as individuals. Everything we eat has calories, carbs, proteins,..., etc. It is up to us to decide what works best with our way of eating. I love Agave, and I have found that if I consume too much, I simply don't lose weight. But I do feel better about eating Agave than a dozen packets of Splenda. But Splenda doesn't stall me, or give me cravings. I encourage you to try new things and foods, and see how your body reacts.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by pamatga

I just checked my box of Splenda and it says 0 everything right down the line for the individual packets which I use on occasion when I make my "sweet" tea (hey this is the South).

heh, yeah, the FDA allows manufacturers to round down calories that are 5 or less to 0 (and fat that is less than .5g to 0, which sucks in the case of trans fats, but those aren't in Splenda). So if something has 4 calories per serving, it can say 0 on the box. And something that has partially hydrogenated vegetable oil listed as an ingredient can say it has no trans fats. grr...

But anyway...thanks for the info, TechGirl. From what you posted, it says the agave can take on the index of a higher GI food, but hopefully, on South Beach, we aren't eating high GI foods for it to take on! At least, that's the idea, right? But it is good to know in case someone is having a treat and thinks it's okay to have something with high GI ingredients as long as it's made with agave to sort of "balance it out," as that is apparently not the case.