Here's the glycemic info. So is it legal or not and will it make much of a difference to have a couple of teaspoons a day in a cup of tea? Your thoughts? Thank you

SUGARS
Organic Agave Nectar 27

Fructose 32

Lactose 65

Honey 83

High fructose corn syrup 89 [Pers. corres. w/Prof. Brand Miller]

Sucrose 92

Glucose 137

Glucose tablets 146

Maltodextrin 150

Maltose 150

Glycemic Load of our Agave Nectar 1.6

I don't see a rational way to answer your question. By checking the carbohydrate amounts listed for various items, it's clear that none are for the same serving size.

For instance, to get 92 grams of carbohydrate from sucrose, you're talking about an approximately 90 gram serving of table sugar. To get 32 grams of carbohydrate from fructose, you're only talking about a 32 gram serving. The carb value of honey listed represents about 100 gms of honey.

Maybe I'm missing something here?

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WELCOME!

Ok, I think I know what you are asking, as I am an avid reader/follower of the Glycemic Index, myself... these are Glycemic Index ratings as opposed to carb counts, correct?

What you are wanting to know is: Even though the agave nectar is not technically low-carb, is it allowable since its Glycemic Index rating and Glycemic Load are so low, right?

I would have to answer, "Yes."
Even if something is not low-carb, per se, the whole "point" of low-carb is to lower the impact of food on the bloodsugar/insulin response because that is where the weight gain starts.
If your numbers are accurate, this nectar has negligible impact on either and therefore would not cause an BG spike.
That said, there IS another reason why we try to stay truly low-carb -- not JUST low-glycemic: When you eat something sweet like agave nectar (or whatever), it DOES tend to stimulate cravings for other sweet things -- even if it is low-glycemic. This has been my experience anyway.
Please let me know if this does not answer your question.
Good luck & keep posting!

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Summer

One more thought -- and a very good point -- that Maggie brought up to me.
Those numbers on the Glycemic Index are not always reliable. You need to do a little "experimenting" on your own and see which foods affect you negatively and which ones don't... there are a couple of supposedly low-glycemic foods that definitely cause a BG spike for me! And Maggie has had the same experience.
I think of the GI as more of a guide than a hard and fast rule. I honestly believe that how a certain food affects a person's blood sugar can vary significantly from one person to the next.
In other words: if you find that you ARE gaining (or even stalling) after using the agave nectar, it might be wise to swear off it completely. If not, then enjoy!
Does that make sense?

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Summer

While glycemic index and glycemic load can be a factor in making choices, I notice from your profile that you are following the Atkins plan. Whether or not you chose to use Agave nectar is your choice. However, for purposes of Atkins, each teaspoon that you use would count as 6 g. carbs with 0 g. of fiber. I also note that sugar has 4.2 grams of carb per teaspoon. If the 6 grams of carbs works for you, then go for it. However, if you are doing Induction, then I would say the answer is no.

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Henry

Thank you Summer and Henry for the great advice and insight

I did a little quick research and came up with a couple of quotes from another site discussing agave that you may want to consider or do a little further research on.

"I'm sorry to be the party-pooper here, but agave is mainly fructose. While fructose does not raise blood sugar levels, it is converted directly to fat in the body. So even though it's low-carb/low-glycemic, it should be avoided if you're trying to lose fat/weight.

I copied this from a website that sells it but you'll find that all of the agave products contain mainly fructose.

Quote:
Agave Nectar is a delicious golden syrup composed of 90-percent fructose sugars and 10-percent glucose sugars respectively. "

Then there was this one:

"Fructose has a low glycemic value. However, according to some experts, if fructose is consumed after eating a large meal that overly raises the blood sugar or with high glycemic foods, it no longer has a low glycemic value. Strangely enough, it will take on the value of the higher glycemic food. So exercise restraint, even with this wonderful sweetener. It is a good policy to eat fructose-based desserts on an empty stomach, in between meals or with other low-glycemic foods. Use it for an occasional treat or for a light touch of sweetness in your dishes."
HTH

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Henry

Sorry I misunderstood the original question.

I eat this way primarily to control my blood glucose levels, and years ago found that foods with a low glycemic index or glycemic load didn't translate into any measurable benefit for me, so I discarded this as a way to look at foods. The only way I find I can keep my blood sugars within normal range (without medication) is to eat in a very low carbohydrate manner. For me, with very few exceptions, carbs are carbs.

However, my metabolism is more sensitive to carbs due to type2 (insulin resistant) diabetes. YMMV.

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