Is agave nectar healthy for children?

[time2change]

Hi

I am newly raw and have been giving my 4yr old's raw pancakes made with flaxseed and agave for breakfast. As its so sweet I am wondering just how healthy it is for them and also if their are any healthier alternative's.

I would also be really gratefull to hear what other breakfast suggestions you have as they just keep wanting porridge!!

Cheers

Toni

[Inca_faerie]

A HUGE no! Agave nectare is little more then pure fructose(up to 90% fructose). It's marketed as a "natural" sweetener and for this reason people think it's healthy; it's not.

http://www.naturalnews.com/024892.html

http://blog.nutritiondata.com/ndblog/2007/08/fructose-swee-1.html

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/05/18/5198.html (scroll down)

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Science-Nutrition/Fructose-again-linked-to-fat-build-up-study

These studies were done using liquid fructose not fructose from fruit.

[time2change]

Oh no!! I had the recipie from a raw recipie book and thought it was ok unitl I was shopping online for agave and read about the fructose content.

What would you suggest I replace the Agave with?

Toni

[Inca_faerie]

Oh no!! I had the recipie from a raw recipie book and thought it was ok unitl I was shopping online for agave and read about the fructose content.

What would you suggest I replace the Agave with?

Toni

I'd go for honey or even raw cane sugar (beats agave by a long shot). You could try a mix of honey/stevia or raw sugar/stevia.

[cherrypie]

arrggghhh and I have sweetend occasionally smoothies for my kids with that crab- beliving it was good as it is mentioned in so many raw food books.:mad:
I will stay with my raw hony as sweetener

[walnutty]

I don't believe that agave is worse than honey or raw cane sugar. I am diabetic and both of those sweeteners make my blood sugars sky rocket. Yes, there is controversy about agave as there are about most things!

I eat agave nectar on a daily basis as it does not raise my blood sugars. I would think using a sweetener for a child that kept their blood sugars stable you be of up most importance.

I also use stevia as it has no carbs and no calories.

Good luck!

[rawstrength]

I have been raw for long enough to let my taste buds, my feelings and my intuition tell me what is best for my body. Raw honey tastes, feels, and seems way better for me than agave, so that is what I use. I've never liked the taste of raw agave. I've received two bottles of the stuff as gifts, and I've had to disguise it in strongly flavored smoothies to use it up.

[RawSun]

There are recipes for raw oatmeal...

Soak raw oat groats, then food process them together with raisins or dates, than flavor with cinnamon or whatever you like!

[Inca_faerie]

I don't believe that agave is worse than honey or raw cane sugar. I am diabetic and both of those sweeteners make my blood sugars sky rocket. Yes, there is controversy about agave as there are about most things!

I eat agave nectar on a daily basis as it does not raise my blood sugars. I would think using a sweetener for a child that kept their blood sugars stable you be of up most importance.

I also use stevia as it has no carbs and no calories.

Good luck!

The problem with agave isn't blood sugar related as it's a high fructose sweetener it doesn't really affect blood sugar levels what it affects are blood triglyceride levels. Increased blood triglycerides are a huge factor in heart disease and fatty liver. There is so much evidence out there that high fructose sweeteners are dangerous that to feed this to ones child would be like sticking your head in the sand and ignoring the facts while the health of your child could suffer from it just because you don't want to give up your favorite sweetener. Sorry to come across as harsh but that doesn't seem fair to me.

[spicyfull]

Agave is recommended because it is RAW and because of its Low Glaseimic index. But it is Sugar non the less. So EVERYTHING in Moderation.

[Bananna]

I agree with Inca Faerie...and I never used to, or wanted to. But she forced me to learn all about high fructose syrups and I believe they are not good for you.

[time2change]

Thank you. I have bought some groats to try the porridge.They love porridge so it should go down a treat!

[freshlight]

Hey Inca :) you sound so competent on the subject! well done and thank you for the links,-that must have been a lot of work to do.
Cheers from Eva (it's -20°C in G. !!!)

[Raw Angel Mom]

no honey for infant up to 2 year old i heard.

[Inca_faerie]

I agree with Inca Faerie...and I never used to, or wanted to. But she forced me to learn all about high fructose syrups and I believe they are not good for you.

Aww you never used to agree with me? boooooo! hehe I'm j/k.:p I just hope that more people research and learn about this stuff especially if they're feeding it to their kids.


Hey Inca :) you sound so competent on the subject! well done and thank you for the links,-that must have been a lot of work to do.
Cheers from Eva (it's -20°C in G. !!!)

Hallo Du!!:) I don't know if I'm competent (maybe sometimes:D) you're very welcome for the links, it was just a bit of googling (I'm a good googler!) -20 you say!!? it's only -4 here now lol crazy weather.
cheers back at you hope you're having a great new year!


no honey for infant up to 2 year old i heard.

Is that because of the bacterial content? what about if it's pasturized?

[notwell]

Agave is fine.

[freshlight]

Things like agave, salt, oil, ACV, honey etc. don't belong to the raw food diet for me.Enjoying pure fruit and veggies is the best thing, imho. The substitutes are unnecessary

[adiebabe]

no honey for infant up to 2 year old i heard.

No honey for children one of age or younger. This is because of infant botulism and it does not matter whether it is pasturised or raw...no honey! Don't forget, this also applies to honey flavored/containing products like honey nut Cheerios for example...processed honey is not the same as pasturised honey.

For children over one year, it can be given and did you know it is even recommended as a cough remedy by experts (you are not supposed to give dm cough syrups to children under 6, however, buckwheat honey WAS recommended for ages 2-6)?

As for a suitable substitute for Agave, I'm a little surprised no one mentioned Yacon Syrup (it's also raw). It is the most likely choice if you are trying for a low rating on the Glycemic Index and to avoid Fructose. Neither honey, nor cane sugar (as suggested) would meet your requirements.

[MaineMomof4]

Where does everyone find their raw honey? The only raw honey I can find is in a solid form or once I tried some that was really dark in color and I believe from somewhere in africa and I just really didn't like the taste it was quite strong. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[bsqmurphy]

For breakfast, I feed my toddler (& he loves):
- cut up fresh fruit & avocado
- green smoothie
- alissa's blueberry pie
- raw granola with almond milk

Bri.