[isaoma]

I've been really confused about the agave syrup. I'm not sure whether we should avoid it completely, or if it is still better than regular sugar/evaporate cane sugar.

First off, we don't consume a whole lot of sweetners and use honey and maple syrup at home. But, there are some products we buy at the grocery store because I don't have the energy to make it at home

. We buy Coconut Bliss icecream, Prana Bars, Organicville Ketchup w/agave, and also buy raw coconut macroons as treats. These all contain agave syrup - the more I read about agave syrup the more I am wondering if we should be using it at all.

If I have a choice which would be better buying food made with agave syrup, sugar, or evaporated cane juice?

 

[snowbunny]

After I read about how it's manufactured I stopped using agave syrup. It's not a traditional sweetener and was developed in the 1990s. The process used to manufacture agave nectar chemically alters its natural sugars and turns them into high fructose. The end product can be upwards of 90% fructose (keep in mind that HFCS with all its ill effects is only about 55% fructose).

We don't really buy ready-made treats but I would choose those made with evaporated cane juice over agave in a heartbeat.

 

[Ruthla]

I'd choose evaporated cane juice first, ordinary sugar 2nd, and agave syrup third. I've personally experienced liver problems (which cleared up on a low carb diet) and don't want to take chances with my, or my family's, health.

Would I completely stop buying a frozen dessert that was otherwise wholesome and free of allergens and nasties, just to avoid agave syrup? Probably not, but I might select a different brand made with evaporated cane juice if it was available and tasted good. If you can't find a decent sub for one of the items, I'd buy it even more rarely than you do now for a truly occasional treat.

You can definitely find organic ketchup with cane sugar- I buy it for my own kids. I'm not sure about alternatives for the prana bars or macaroons (I've seen macaroons but not made with raw coconut) and I don't know enough about the coconut ice cream to know what would be an equivilent substitute.

Plus I'd go ahead and use up what you've already purchased, but get something healthier when its' time to replace it.