Ali Shapiro

Agave Nectar Under Fire & How to Side Step the Controversy

Lately, the health benefits of agave nectar are being questioned. Most of us health foodies have come to believe agave as a better alternative to sugar. Mind you, it's still sugar but it's not as processed and it's much sweeter, requiring the need for less.

However, there is controversy over how it's processed, if it's really a low-glycemic food and, (gasp) if it's on the same plane as high-fructose corn syrup.

I personally have weaned it out of my diet and am using honey and maple syrup when I do need a sugar replacement. However, agave nectar was an important tool while weaning myself from refined sugar. I found for me, it didn't effect my blood sugar the way sugar did (in other words, it didn't make me crave more sugar), I didn't get the wild mood swings that sugar gave me and it made me feel like I had options and wasn't being deprived. Those were all important factors for where I was in my relationship with food.

Getting off sugar is one of the hardest drug habits to kick. You can't just stop eating. Sugar is everywhere. Dealers peddle this stuff so cheaply and the government even encourages it. So what are you to do? And should you continue to use agave nectar or not?

Here are four guidelines I think will help you make the best decision:

1. Above all, remember agave is still sugar. Even honey, maple syrup and other natural sweeteners should be kept at a minimum.

2. If you do purchase agave, make sure it's organic and raw. Heating it too high is dangerous (that's why you need to be careful with using it in baking).

3. Consider using dates as a sugar replacement. At the end of this note is a simple recipe my clients LOVE that uses dates.

Side note: These macaroons are part of the spring detox recipes in my upcoming "Stress Free Spring Detox" on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. If you are struggling with too much sugar in your diet, this program will be a wonderful way for you to experience your body off sugar without going crazy. The macaroons are also a great gift for those who celebrate Valentine's Day. For more details on the "Stress Free Spring Detox", including a special $10 savings that is over next week, and to sign-up, go to:

http://www.alishapiro.com/stress-free-spring-detox

4. Where are you in your health journey? If you need sweet options that won't send you on a binge, then using agave is probably better for you. If your body and relationship with food are more balanced, try switching to honey or maple syrup. We are all at different stages of health and the best thing you can do for your body is to honor what it needs now. That will help you get to where you ultimately want to be.

Be well,

Ali

P.S. If you want to see more details of the agave nectar debate, you can read more here:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-great-agave-nectar-debate.html

No-Sugar Coconut Macaroon Recipe

8 dates
1 medium banana
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 tsp celtic sea salt

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Soak the dates for 30 minutes
- Put all ingredients minus the coconut flakes into the blender.
- Removed from blender and mix with coconut (you can add more coconut if you desire a more solid texture).
- Scoop out 1 TB each of mixture, and roll into individual balls.
- Place balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom