There appears to be justified concern that artificial sweeteners cause the very thing they are intended to prevent. I find it puzzling that bariatric centers are still pushing them.

Any thoughts? Did you or will you use artificial sweeteners for weight control? If so, are you concerned about their impact on your gut biota?

Edited December 5, 201411 yr by Trillium

Agave nectar is a great idea! I have some in my pantry; I use it when I make salmon. Tmrw I'm going to try it in my coffee. I bet it's great in tea, too.

It's amazing in coffee and tea! It lends this richness of flavor...yum.

Hi,

I have been reading all of your posts and worrying about my use of artificial sweeteners (I like sugar free candy in particular). I have never heard of Agave nectar but I am certainly going to look into it. Can it be used in baking or is it small quantity sweetener only?

Thanks,

Chele

Hi again!

After I posted I did a quick search and the first thin I came across was not so positive. I know everything has its pros and cons but I am curious if those of you more familiar with Agave nectar can help me make sense of this article.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401166/Whats-Wrong-with-Agave-Nectar.html

The author suggested maple syrup and then he mentioned pure glucose syrup.

Thanks,

Chele

I'm not far enough out from the surgery to quit the fake-sugar yet, but I asked my NUT point-blank when I was still pre-op if she ate any of that crap. She said "nope". I plan to go back to whole foods and regular sweeteners for the majority of things when I'm further out. Agave nectar is my coffee-sweetener of choice.

Agave isn't fake. Just make sure you're buying the real thing. One of things I did was look begin to teach myself portion control. I wanted to eat as normally as possible. Otherwise it would feel like just another diet to me and I'm done with diets.Raw honey is my sweetener of choice but I don't drink coffee or tea daily and I don't eat a lot of sugar added foods. A tbsp of honey doesn't drastically change my numbers. Yesterday I had 929 calories 57carbs 47fat 75protein 1,127sodium 26sugar. Those are numbers I can live with. More importantly I can lose weight with those numbers.

Hi,

I have been reading all of your posts and worrying about my use of artificial sweeteners (I like sugar free candy in particular). I have never heard of Agave Nectar but I am certainly going to look into it. Can it be used in baking or is it small quantity sweetener only?

Thanks,

Chele

Some people like it, some don't. I personally find agave too sweet for my taste so I rarely use it.

Just a plug for Bai5 drinks, which are only five calories and naturally sweetened. I love them. My kids to as well, and now I have to hide them in my bedroom!

Unfortunately it contains stevia which while natural triggers my allergies

I had some of the Bai drinks when I was visiting in Ny a couple weeks ago. I really liked them.I haven't seen them in Kentucky yet. :/