I’ve been getting the question “What do you think about PB2?” a lot lately on my Facebook page. PB2 is a powdered peanut butter, made by squeezing natural oils out of the peanut and then dehydrating what’s left, yielding a powder in which 90% of the fat is removed from the peanut.
Photo Credit: Gym Optional
This is the truth about PB2 and why you’ll never see me eat this manufactured substitute for peanut butter:
- PB2 Is Not Whole Real Food – When I talk about the foods I eat, I tell people I want to choose the most nutrient dense foods on the planet and PB2 is just not one of them. The beauty of a peanut is that it contains all of the nutrients nature intended. It has a healthy dose of fat, protein and vitamins. PB2 extracts almost all of the essential monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, leaching the vitamin E content which is fat soluble, therefore reducing the nutritional content of the whole food. The fat is what keeps you satisfied and reduces cravings making just a tablespoon of real peanut butter so satisfying. This powdered form looks pretty clean when you review the ingredients, but it’s just another way for manufacturers to trick you into thinking less calories is better for you. They have to add a mixture of sugar and salt into the powder to make it taste better without the fat. I know I’d rather have the fat vs. the sugar and salt!
- PB2 Is Not Organic – Conventional peanuts are some of the most heavily sprayed crops ever. The amount of toxic pesticides sprayed on peanuts is suspected to have caused the increase in peanut allergies. As you know, peanuts have a very thin and porous outer layer and shell that allows toxins in easily. These toxins are not something you can wash off. Remember increased exposure to pesticides are linked to birth defects, nerve damage and cancer. The President’s Cancer Panel has urged us not to consume food sprayed with pesticides and doesn’t believe any amount is safe.
- PB2 Has Added Sugar – It might not be that much added sugar but knowing what refined sugar does to my mind and my body – I try to avoid it at all costs unless it’s a special occasion. I eat nut butter almost everyday so I make sure that my variety is sugar free and made from whole organic nuts.
Also, this sugar could be made from genetically modified sugar beets.(The company recently confirmed they do not contain GMOs.)
- Peanuts May Contain Aflatoxin – The mold that is frequently present in peanuts creates a carcinogen called Aflatoxin. This chemical has been shown to cause liver cancer according to this study in developing countries where there is a large consumption of corn, peanuts and grains grown without strict regulation of the quality of soil. Here in the United States, the FDA allows aflatoxin into our food system at varying levels. This is just not something I want to consume on a regular basis, even in small “approved” doses. For people who have had cancer or already have compromised liver function, you should really consider this information. This is why I choose to eat Jungle Peanuts if I have a choice, because they are grown in an environment and harvested in a way that does not produce this toxin.
- And… Almond Butter is Better For Your Health – According to this analysis taken from Prevention, almond butter has 69% more calcium, twice as much fiber, 86% more iron, and 169% more vitamin E than peanut butter.
And just in case you ask – I like Tree of Life Organic Almond Butter and Once Again Organic Almond Butter. In both these products, the oil stays nicely mixed in when kept in the refrigerator, it’s extra creamy, raw and delicious – more than any other 100% pure almond butter I’ve ever tasted. A lot of stores don’t carry these brands, but if you live in Charlotte, you can find them both at Healthy Home Market.
If you still like to eat regular peanut butter – always choose one ingredient organic peanut butter like this one.
I hope I didn’t burst anyone’s bubble about PB2. Just remember when a product seems too good to be true, it probably is!
What’s your favorite nut butter?
Food Babe
P.S. If you know someone who’s eating PB2, please share this post with them.
I think the problem with regular peanuts is pretty widely known (maybe not thought by reading some of these comments). While I love peanut butter and do buy organic, I try to make my own almond butter and cashew butter at home. Cashew is the easiet. And it is SOOOOO much cheaper than buying it already made. I have never tried PB2…..it just didn’t look like food to me? If you want a nut butter why not just decrease the amount? or if you buy natural style, just don’t mix in the fat?
thank you
Thanks for sharing this info! Any thoughts on hazelnut butter? I buy the organic kind I course
RAW aALMONDS ARE NOT RAW.
Vani, above you state that your Almond Butter is raw. How can that be. My understanding is: due to a mandate set by the Food & Drug Admin in the US, almonds must be processed. It is very difficult to purchase truly raw almonds. I’ve been told that you can find places which sell small amounts of actual raw almonds. Oh, and the F&DAdmin provided some little loop hole which enables organic almonds to be labelled as raw inspite of them having been “processed”.
Do you know anything contrary to this?
This is for sure true in the state of California. I don’t know if it is true for the entire US. In California you can’t sell more than 25 lbs. of almonds if they have not been processed in some way to kill bacteria on them. They just love spoiling all of the good food in the name of killing bacteria. It seems to me most of the outbreaks are with the industrial food complex.
Actually, I know quite a bit about this topic:
-Almonds are only grown in CA (within USA). Importers bring in almonds from Spain which taste totally different.
-The max is 100lbs/per week of UNpasteurized almonds.
-At Bella Nut Butters, we only use organic, unpasteurized CA almonds for our Snickerdoodle and Almond Joy
-Several farmers sell such almonds online, start with http://www.goodeggs.com
to find a online farmer nearest you.
-Raw organic, unpasteurized almonds are the best to purchase.
-When purchasing from a grocery store like Whole Foods, any grocery that offers bulk bins, take an almond and bite into it. It should be crunchy, white-ish on the inside (if yellow, don’t buy) and not have a “zing” to the taste of it – if it does, don’t buy!! Almonds should be kept in dark cold storage (I.e. Your freezer) before consumption which is why you should find a reputable online retailer (hint: farmer).
🙂
It IS possible to buy almonds that have not been irradiated and are completely raw. You just need to search for it. Usually from farms, and usually in bulk.
http://www.cornucopia.org/almonds/
I’m not finding truly raw almonds. From Cornucopia’s site it appears even organic raw almonds are sprayed. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Interestingly, Cheryl, I can’t reply to your comment. It’s not really a matter of correcting you @Cheryl, I don’t need to be right. But if you do a google search for almonds that have not been treated with pasteurization or irradiation, etc, and you’ll find some. I did. Others have. You just have to look. I’ve got a 10lb bag in the freezer, even. 🙂 Good luck! Hope you find some.
This is true, but you can purchase Italian raw almonds and almond butter. They are truly raw.
I’m obsessed with cashew butter! Its mild and sweet I luv it!
I love sunbutter! It’s my favorite
I have been eating Maranatha Sunflower Butter & it’s one of the better tasting ones to me, but what are your thoughts, Vani, on it?
PB2 is a brilliant scam. It is the leftovers from making peanut oil, a huge commercial commodity. Before they put this crap in a jar, they sold it by the ton as animal feed.
Actually…PB2 was created as a result of a peanut surplus several years ago and was never sold by the ton for animal feed. It was specifically made to take the place of high calorie peanut butter.
exactly I agree because peanut butter makes me gain weight it doesn’t help that I am addicted to it!!! it’s like chips I can’t just have 1 table spoonful
I have a great recipe for peanut butter brownies that calls for 1 cup of PB2. I was just about to go out and buy this stuff, so glad i saw this article first. What could I substitute for the 1 cup of PB2…..regular peanut butter, and would I use 1 cup?
No, you can’t substitute “real” peanut butter. The powdered version is taking the place of some of the flour.
Smear a few tablespoons of natural pb over mostly cooled brownies then top with a chocolate ganache. Orgasmic.
Or melt 2 Tbsp butter, Mix with 4 Tbsp natural pb, then blend in a few Tbsp powdered sugar. pipe or drop by small spoonfuls over regular brownie batter and use a knife to marble in. Bake as usual.
In a normal recipe you could replace some of the liquid/fat and one egg with regular peanut butter.
Now I’m questioning the Earth Balance PB I eat daily…
Lately all I’ve been doing at our local Good Food Store is freshly grinding peanuts w/their machine & eating it plain. I don’t have an actual brand anymore. I did try almond butter for awhile, but just could never acquire a taste for it. If I put it on something sweet, like an apple, it worked okay – just never wild about it unless it was mixed w/jelly or honey.
Hello FB, just wondering your opinion on Justins Almond Butter? Met these guys at Expo West, hearts seem in a good place, I know its not sourced organically but…
I eat and love the 7 seed and nut butter peanut free called nutzo. I get it at whole foods. I love how a woman adopted children that were nutrient deficient and invented it. You can get it with peanuts and it also comes with dark chocolate. What do you think about Nutzo Vani?
So, almond butter is more nutritious. What about the warnings/claims regarding almonds truly being seeds and not nuts (proper), and therefore potentially hazardous? We wouldn’t eat apple seeds, for instance. Might you elaborate on this?
I’m truly confused. Why on earth would you not eat apple seeds??
http://www.pickyourown.org/apple-seeds-cyanide-arsenic.php
Ha Ha! Just like “they” used to say that eating more than 3 eggs per week would kill you, and now we know better… I ALWAYS eat seeds of ALL the fruits I consume (when I eat apples it is alwas a minimum of 5 pieces of fruit with ALL their seeds).. also, I have personally eaten amounts of apricot kernels mentioned in the article that are supposed to be “LETHAL”…
All pitted fruits contain trace amounts of cyanide, but it’d be really hard to die from the dose. You’d need about a handful of apricot kernels, for example, to die from cyanide poisoning. I’d really recommend against eating apricot kernels, though, because they’ve caused quite a few deaths. You can definitely eat seeds in apples and watermelons and the like, though. I always eat the seeds in my grapes if they have seeds in them and only avoid apple seeds if I’m not in the mood to eat the core. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve interned with toxicologists in hospital emergency rooms and the only “seed” I’ve been warned about was apricot kernels.
Almonds are NUTS. I think you are confusing apricot kernels with almonds.
Any thoughts on Trader Joe ‘ s Raw Almond Butter? I bought it because it was significantly cheaper than some of the other brands but am curious to know if saving my money was worth it.
I read you all the time and I agree with you on almost everything and I agree that I like Almond Butter better, but the example of the Peanut Butter you do like is way out of line. Amazon wants $62 for 2 ounces. Thats too much! Ill pass on that one!
The 2 brands V recommended on Amazon – one came in a 3 jar quantity (I think it was about $30 a jar) and the other in a 12 jar quantity with free shipping. That one came to $15.66 a jar. But you have to buy 12 jars. Seems the nutrients would be lost by the time you ate it all. Gonna look at making it – but if the Almonds are not truly raw (I live in CA) I’m not sure what to do. :-/
Maranatha Organic Raw almond Butter
– What do you have to say regarding Almonds not really being organic or raw in the US because of laws requiring pasteurizing them.
– Secondly if that is still better than peanut butter let us know, but what is the situation with phytic acid? I heard you are not supposed to eat more than 7 almonds per day because of this. What can you tell us about the phytic acid present in unsoaked and unsprouted almonds present in every almond butter I’ve ever seen.
Thank you for the Post!
PB2 is AWESOME. This review paints a negative picture of it.
Everything said here is correct, by removing the fat you remove most of the vitamins + etc. Not to mention that the monounsaturated fat that is removed is actually good for you. I’m a fan of fat in my diet. I think we unfairly bais toward low fat foods.
HOWEVER. PB2 serves an entirely different purpose from peanut butter. Peanut butter is not a good protien source, there are two many calories for it to be used as such. Peanut butter is primarily a monounsaturated fat source with protien as a bonus.
PB2 though, much like the egg white is to the egg, is a FANTASTIC source of protien. Seriously I mix this stuff with everything and it is delicious. I have no problem hitting my protien goals now and it’s thanks to PB2. I have also on occasion cut peanut butter with it to produce something I can snack on that has more volume, the results are amazing.
The added sugar is a bummer, but only marginally so since theres like 1 gram per serving (of 12 grams). Which still leaves the majority of the macros split pretty evenly between fat, protein and carbs (protein being the highest). I would like a product without the sugar removed because frankly it’s pointless, I can add sugar if I want but currently there are no lower priced alternatives to PB2.
So yeah. Buy it for the right reasons I guess.
/rant
Awesome! Thanks for this! I was thinking of adding this stuff just for a little extra flavor and was discouraged by the original post. And now discouraged about raw almond butter really being raw. :-/ guess there’s a way around everything.
I’m with Kevin on this. PB2 is great stuff. I eat relatively low-carb, usually not more than 50 carbs per day. Seems to suit me best, how I feel best. Things like olive oil, fish, almonds, cheeses are a normal part of my diet so I’m not short on monounsaturated fats, and sugar is minimized. But peanut butter is my kryptonite…I love it and crave it like other people crave pizza and chips. I can’t eat just one tablespoon…hey, I’m human, I have my weaknesses. PB2 allows me to get my peanut butter groove on without blowing up my caloric intake. I don’t lose sleep over the gram of sugar per serving – the smog here in Phoenix probably does my body more harm than a gram of sugar. And I can’t believe how good PB2 tastes, it’s delicious. Add in Kevin’s point about the protein boost, and for me the list of positives is much longer than any list of negatives. I’ll keep buying it as long as they keep making it.
To Eric – What are you favorite ways to use PB2? Besides adding to smoothies 🙂
To Karen – I actually eat it often as a dessert item. I like to break up pieces of 100% Ghirardelli pure baking chocolate into it. I can enjoy 100% chocolate straight, though most people can’t, but if you put the 100% chocolate into PB2 you get a really chocolatey peanut butter dessert. Eating 100% chocolate gets you all the good stuff in the cacao bean, without any sugar or extra stuff.
And if you mix a little of the chocolate flavored PB2 into the plain PB2 along with the 100% chocolate…that’s where my tummy starts to dance. You’re adding a little more sugar, but it’s so good as an occasional treat, especially if you’re a chocolate hound like I am.
Because the calorie count is so low, even the occasional complete pig-out isn’t damaging…4 servings at once, which will not only fill up most people but will make you feel like you just ate 4 scoops of ice cream, is only 180 calories. That’s less than your average granola bar. I personally can’t eat more than 4 servings at once, and if I do I don’t eat again for 4-6 hours. Which leads me to think that people could use this as part of a weight-loss plan, because of how filling it is vs. the calories you take in. Let’s say someone went completely off the reservation, and tried to eat TEN servings, which is insane and maybe physically impossible, that’s only 450 calories and I’m betting they don’t eat much else that day. Of course, this isn’t something I’m recommending, because it’s not nutritionally sound. My point is that it’s an interesting combination – it’s very filling (and not just for short spurts – it’s filling for big chunks of time), it cures cravings, it’s not a nutritional train wreck like cakes and cookies, but it does all of this while being low-calorie. For someone trying to get through the tough part of the day, dealing with cravings and trying to keep their calorie count in check, I think PB2 might help because it’s just so filling relative to the caloric intake.
I love it as well. Its a great addition to smoothies, and is awesome when you travel. Definitely doesnt deserve to be called a scam. So, yes buy it for the right reasons. I still use regular peanut butter and almond butter. PB2 serves a purpose.
Thanks for posting. The only noteworthy part of the review is the first point. The rest could be said about any peanut product on the market. Most people are going to get more fats (good and bad) than they need so foregoing the fat in a peanut powder is not the end of the world. It’s one gram of added sugar — hard to believe that would affect somebody’s mind and body to a strong degree. Having a nut butter around the house is fine if you are the type of person that can avoid bingeing. I don’t binge eat when I have the powder. It’s a great product if you use it as Kevin suggests.
I agree also with Kevin Smith. I discovered PB2 earlier this year and by adding it to my diet and removing all the unhealthy things I used to eat, like sausage and bacon and fried eggs and muffins and … I’ve lost over 30 pounds! And I’m 60 years old so that is a major accomplishment. As with everything in life though, you have to use the product in moderation. I add it to no fat yogurt for a high-protein, low calorie breakfast or eat it as a snack by simply reconstituting the powder. This product is a great option for those who like the taste of peanut butter but do not want the added calories
I agree with Kevin. It’s wonderful. I love it in my protein shakes and on oatmeal. The calories is basically nothing compared to the real stuff and it’s a GREAT replacement.
Thank you!! Said exactly what I was thinking. This review is way overly negative and missing the point of why most people eat pb2.
I agree, buy it for the right reasons. It’s the perfect protein for back packing. Light weight. Just add water!
What about Organic powedered peanut butter from Just Great Stuff. It’s just organic peanuts, organic coconut sugar (not much) and sea salt (not much).
I am wondering about Great Stuff too. I use it to flavor (my protein drink) rather than to add any real nutritional value or satiety.
What are your views on Just Great Stuff Powdered Peanut Butter? I realize the reduced fat content decreasing the satiated feeling. However what I usually do is 1 tbsp of the Organic Once Again Peanut Butter and then add in 2 Tbsp of the Organic Just Great Stuff PB for more PB flavor.
Thanks for the info! I have been looking for an organic powdered peanut butter for my morning protein shakes, will Google this now! I want it for the flavor, I get enough of the nutritional benefits from other sources.
Zxft
Before I get accused of having an “uneducated peanut for a brain” and being banished “the chemical, toxic and MSG sites where you and your kind belong” because my opinion may be different than the majority here, I am ultimately not here to fight. Just to offer a different perspective.
Although PB2 may not be peanuts in the way nature intended, it can still serve a great purpose. If someone is getting their natural fats, nutrients, etc. through other sources, PB2 is a good way to enjoy the flavor and protein of peanut butter with fewer calories. It’s not necessarily a replacement, but can be a substitution.
I love the PB2 product and it is a natural product, despite the other opinons noted above. The product simply does not have the oil content as other peanut butter products and is in a dehydrated form when you purchase it. You simply add water to the dehydrated peanute butter and voilla, you have a great tasting product with 85% less fat. Try it for yourself and read the label and the website about the product, it is fantastic and serves the desure for peanut butter and is very satisfying with a markedly lower fat intake….I use it in shakes as a powdered project and enjoy it and am thankful for gret products like this one that assist with a healthier food option.
Well damn. I JUST found PB2 not too long ago and am on my 3rd jar. Sigh….I love this site but it’s making me orthorexic. lol. Tis better to know what I’m eating than die of cancer when I’m 50 though I guess. Carry on Food Babe!
“I know I’d rather have the fat vs. the sugar and salt!”
Compare the nutrition label of PB2 and real peanut butter. PB2 has LESS of both sugar and salt than the real stuff.
I love to hear/see knowledgeable people telling it like it is.. so many times I hear shoppers at the local supermarket discussing fat content in healthy food like yogurt, etc. They typically go for the lowest fat product thinking they’re doing something good for themselves when reality is they are purchasing a stripped down products with 99% of fat soluble nutrients removed along with essential fats needed desperately by the body. And they pay for it. Good report Vani!
I know exactly what you mean Mark. I hear it all the time! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Let me also remind you simple cannot compare peanut butter to nut butters because peanuts, are not tree nuts. In fact, they’re not nuts at all, they are legumes. So in theory, you could compare nutritional values but you can’t compare the processing or the way they’re manufactured. They are not the same thing.
I am addicted to Artisana pecan butter, walnut butter, cashew butter , almond butter and coconut butter. I used to think peanut butter and banana was heaven on earth…wait until you try pecan butter with banana. You will never go back to peanut butter!
Amber, I agree 100% with everything you said in this article! As an American we always have choices:
1) Gods perfect fat OR
2) God’s perfect fat processed by man & his machine.
The choice is clear.
Now following you on twitter and facebook! Thanks for this insight!
Soooooo…. This food is evil? Ugh. Nothing is safe.
While I do eat some fat I feel that a low fat diet is healthiest for me. I prefer organic powdered peanut butter (Just Great Stuff makes one) but PB2 is way more affordable and tastes better actually. It is also GMO free certified. I find that the protein make it filling even without the so called “good” fats.
Making one’s owm almond butter is so easy I don’t know why anyone would buy it. That said PB2 is good for storage an an emergency food supply annd also for backpackers who want protein without weight.
I have questions. I will be asking additional questions after this one is answered.
I believe that there is a lot of generalization put into this article. Although there is some benefit to these comments /generalizations. I want facts not opinions about PB2. I think your readers do to.
Can it be determined where did ( the famers) the peanuts came from?
If yes
Can it be determined what harvest practices were employed?
If it cannot be determined then that would nullify the value of
this article/ post about PB2.
So please share you information.
If there is no response to this comment then I would determine that the author has an unfounded adverse adgenda towards PB2.
I would also add that her post, while stating it applies to PB2, actually applies to all peanut butter in any form. And peanuts generally, for that matter.
Great info Food Babe, love your site but FYI – PB2 does NOT use sugar from sugar beets.
Four out of five of these points in your list pertain to all peanut butters. Your title is misleading – why can’t you just write an actual article about the benefits of almond butter instead of baiting readers?
Totally get all this, but have you heard the damage almonds are going to cause? Mass producing due to those switching to almond milk/butter. get the new nat geo mag and see what they have done to people!
previvorfitmom.com
Thank you for the insight regarding powdered PB. I have included a link in my recent Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Avocado Pudding recipe, in case readers want to see the difference and information on pb vs. powdered. http://makingmindfulness.blogspot.com/2014/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-avocado.html Thanks, again, for the good information!
A naturopathic doctor I know says not to eat peanuts because of the Aflatoxins on them. He said if you want to find out if your favorite peanuts have it on them is to purchase a black light and take them into a dark room, turn on the black light, if the peanuts are fluorescent (sp?), then they have Aflatoxins on them. DO NOT EAT!
Thanks for the info on the Jungle Peanuts. I miss peanuts! I had to stop eating them because I discovered I was having severe breast soreness due to eating peanuts, and I would say that it was because of the Aflatoxins more than likely. I can’t even eat peanut butter either.
What about the organic version?
What’s wrong with organic peanut butter?
We don’t do peanut butter in our house, but we love sunbutter!
Justins Classic Almond Butter
Thank you. My favorite is:
http://www.barneybutter.com
The beauty of Vani “Food Babe” she cares, does the research and lays it out there for all of is. It’s our decision on what to do with the knowledge were given. Follow it, alter or ignore it .. Our personal choice right.. That being said .. Thank you Vani for all that you do and thank you all for positive post and perspectives on this topic. I found many informative and useful. We’ve all got to look out for each other anymore.. Carry on : )
I have followed Weight Watchers for years now and found PB2 to be a blessing as far as losing weight goes BUT then I discovered there is an organic powdered peanut butter out on the shelves now. If it says organic, can it be bad? I think it is called Betty Lou’s.
Interesting article! I’ve never try PB2. But what about Peanut Butter ( Skippy)? Can I still enjoy this PB?
H-E-B has the nut butters you can grind right at the store…almonds, peanuts, organics, honey roasted, etc.
There are no studies proving that the increase in peanut allergies is attributed to any kind of sprays/fertilizer/pesticide use on peanut plants. Food allergies are multi-factoral and therefore it is an inaccurate statement that is made here. The source of information must be thoughtfully researched and results of such studies are never cause/effect. Science like medicine is an ongoing process.
I have to respectfully disagree that all low-fat peanut powders are bad. I’m eating low-fat Vegan so I like the brand “Just Great Stuff” organic peanut powder. The ingredients are… organic peanuts, organic coconut sugar, sea salt… Nothing bad, no GMOs.
I love NaturAlmond. No sugar added and locally made in Atlanta. Lots of whole foods have started carrying them too! http://Www.naturalmond.com