Food & Fitness

   

Agave nectar comes from the agave plant and is becoming a popular alternative sweetener to sugar, honey, fructose, etc. Agave nectar raises blood glucose a little more slowly (it has a lower glycemic index) than sugar and other sweeteners that provide calories.

It is okay for people with diabetes to use agave nectar as a sweetener, but they should not treat it any differently than regular sugar or corn syrup. It provides just as many calories and carbohydrates as regular sugar, honey, etc. You should still account for agave nectar when planning meals (1 teaspoon has about 15 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrate, though it can vary between brands).