Agave nectar is one of the most delicious natural sweeteners around, that being said, it is still a sugar. The primary sugar found in agave is fructose. Fructose is a natural sugar found in most fruits, fruit juices, sweet vegetables, honey and agave. Though fructose has a lower GI than glucose, it is still recommended that you consume it in moderation.
During metabolization, fructose undergoes a process known as fructolysis. In fructolysis, fructose is converted by the liver into glucose, lactic acidosis, glycogen and triglycerides. The body then uses both glucose and lactic acid for energy.
If you are a fan of sweets, then you likely use your fair share of sweeteners. While adding sweetener to your morning coffee, daily smoothies and even oatmeal might not seem like much, the calories and harmful effects of table sugar can add up quickly. Because agave syrup is nearly twice as sweet as sugar, you can use much less of it to achieve the same great sweetness you crave in your beverages and food. Plus, by using less sugar, you'll also consume fewer calories and carbohydrates.
Summer is here, and with it comes warm weather and sun-filled days full of fun. So how can you ensure that you keep cool when spending time under the summer heat? Try your hand at making your very own popsicles. Popsicles are a delicious way to pack all of your favorite ingredients into a refreshing snack that you can enjoy on the go. The convenience of this sweet treat means that you'll spend less time in the kitchen deciding what to snack on, and more time outdoors soaking up the summer sun.
When made with healthy, wholesome ingredients, popsicles are also an excellent way to get your daily dose of vitamins and nutrients. For a naturally sweetened, high-protein popsicle recipe, we recommend making these Blackberry Vanilla Protein Pops. Vibrant and full of flavor, these pops are a delicious way to stay cool this summer. Plus, they're incredibly easy to make! All you have to do is blend all the ingredients in a blender and pour them into popsicle molds to freeze until you're ready to eat.
At Bob's Red Mill, it is no surprise that we love oatmeal. Now, it may be the health enthusiast in us (or the many years spent producing high-quality oats), but we'd like to think that we're somewhat of an expert when it comes to oatmeal. We've tried every kind of oatmeal there is, and one thing we've found is that oatmeal made with healthy, all-natural ingredients is so much more flavorful than those made with processed sugars.
To help you understand where we're coming from, we set out to make a delicious, naturally, sweetened oatmeal made only with high-quality health-boosting ingredients. Oh, did we succeed. This Baked Blueberry Banana Chia Seed Oatmeal is a bowl full of flavor that will satisfy your nutritional needs and sugar cravings. It is made with our Quick Cooking Rolled Oats, Organic Chia Seed, bananas and fresh blueberries, and sweetened with agave nectar. Gluten free, high-fiber and soy-free, this recipe takes oatmeal to a whole new level.
Want to try your hand at homemade energy bars? The key to a delicious energy bar is starting with a good recipe. While some energy bars are high in sugar, when making a homemade energy bar, you can use natural sweeteners to turn a combo of healthy ingredients into a dessert-like treat.
For an energy bar that satisfies your sweet tooth, whip up a batch of these Almond, Agave and Oat Energy Bars. A healthy snack or breakfast food, they make for the perfect grab-and-go snack when you're running short on time. Made with whole grains and sweetened with agave nectar, these indulgent bars are gluten free, high fiber, lactose-free, soy-free and vegan.
Sweeter than white sugar (and better for you too!) agave is an excellent natural sweetener to use when your favorite recipes need a flavor boost. Plant-based and full of health benefits, incorporating agave into your healthy diet is easy! Use this guide, and agave infused recipes to inspire you to start working this beneficial sweetener into your weekly meals.
