A Guide to Natural Sweeteners

Sugar and I have a love-hate relationship. I love it, but I hate the effect it has on my body. So, I try to avoid it and am pretty successful, except for on special occasions. If you ever happen to be at a birthday party with me, and also happen to value your life, don't get between me and the cake.

The other day, my mother gave me an incredibly thoughtful and original gift: a bottle of organic blue agave nectar. This delicious, low-glycemic-index, all-natural sweetener changed my life forever, and inspired me to write this article.

I've written before about the evil effects of refined sugar on our health. Natural food enthusiasts declare it a total "zero" food, nothing more than empty calories and seductive sweetness. I've never liked the idea of artificial sweeteners, and it never occurred to me to try anything else. It turns out there's an incredibly long list of natural sweeteners out there, each with its own claim to fame and particular uses. I couldn't possibly write about them all, so I've narrowed it down to a few favourites.

Agave Nectar
Slightly less viscous than honey, and similar in flavour, this nectar is made from the juice of "The Mexican Tree of Life and Abundance", Agave Tequilana. And yes, that's the same plant that they use to make tequila. Its low glycemic index makes it a great alternative to honey for people who need to watch their blood sugar levels. One and a half times as sweet as sugar, Agave nectar dissolves easily, making it a great sweetener for drinks. I love drizzling it across multi-grain pancakes.