There was an article in today's Wall Street Journal that did a review of the Mexican plant that is being touted as the new honey -- Agave Syrup.  Sugar has about 45 calories per tablespoon, whereas many of the Agave syrups on the market are 60 calories per tablespoon. The argument is that Agave is sweeter so you use less of it - -if that's the case that's great, but is it? Also, advocates argue that it does not raise blood sugar nearly as much as regular sugar. However, according to this article in the Journal "But the Glycemic Research Institute, a Washington, D.C., laboratory, issued a warning Friday that diabetics experienced "severe and dangerous side effects" during testing of an agave nectar."

Bottom-line: Agave is a sweetener and has real calories. Keep in mind, if you're using Agave -it's not a FREE food, use it sparingly, just like sugar.  Read more in the WSJ here. Do you use Agave? What about honey? Do you use less than you would if you were using regular white sugar?