Agave is a natural sweetener that comes from a type of cactus. It is very low on the glycemic index, so it doesn't encourage the spikes and drops in blood sugar that table sugar causes. It also doesn't encourage fat storage like sugar does.
Although agave does have calories, I recommend it as a great sugar substitute. It is not addictive like sugar, and it won't make you feel "yucky" like eating too much sugar does. You won't get a post-sugar-low that causes you to want more. This will keep you from eating as many of the sweets made of agave, and help limit your total calorie intake while satisfying your sweet tooth.
Agave looks about like honey, but it's a little milder in flavor. It is sold in liquid form, usually in a squirt bottle like honey bears. You can also buy it in large one-gallon jugs, if you're going to use it a lot in cooking and baking, like I do.
I have included several recipes for agave on the Recipes section in the Member Menu. You can also find some agave recipes on the Healthy Recipes Forum (just click on Fitness Forums from the menu list on the right of this page.)
You can buy agave online or at your local health food store. For your convenience, you can buy it here.
Also, I just discovered what is, as far as I know, the first agave cookbook. It's called "Everyday Agave," and it was written by Anne Astle. I just ordered it, and it looks really great. I will make sure to include my review on the forum after I try out some of the recipes. In the meantime, feel free to check it out at http://www.everydayagave.com. I can't wait to try it out!
