Peanut Butter Adventures

by Brooke on May 22, 2012

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I love peanut butter. A lot. (No joke, I found myself eating straight out of the jar while writing this post).  It is my favorite protein source, snack, and treat, all in one.  I used to eat Reduced Fat Jiff Peanut Butter, because I just liked the texture. But don’t let that “reduced fat” label trick you into thinking that it is one of the healthier peanut butter options.  It has a higher sugar and salt content compared to other brands and has a very long list of  ingredients. Mind you, all that’s really necessary to make peanut butter is peanuts ground to a paste and maybe a touch of salt.  Does anyone really need a peanut butter with two type of sugar in the ingredients list, anyway?

After talking to Renee Clerkin, one of my good registered dietitian friends in Chicago, I decided I owe it to myself to find a healthier peanut butter.  Yes, even dietitians enjoy eating not-so-healthy foods.  So, I went on a peanut butter quest and tried over ten different kinds. Here is just a quick snapshot of five brands of peanut butter that I have tried:

Jiff Reduced Fat

 

 Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 Tbsp (36g)

Calories 190 Calories

Total Fat 12g (Saturated Fat 2g)

Sodium 220mg

Total Carbohydrate 15g (Sugars 4g)

Protein 7g

Ingredients:  PEANUTS, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SUGAR, SOY PROTEIN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, FULLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OILS (RAPESEED AND SOYBEAN), MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, MOLASSES, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, NIACINAMIDE, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE, ZINC OXIDE, COPPER SULFATE, FOLIC ACID, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE.

Skippy Natural Creamy

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 Tbsp (32g)

Calories 190 Calories

Total Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 3.5g)

Sodium 150mg

Total Carbohydrate 6g (Sugars 3g)

Protein 7g

Ingredients:  ROASTED PEANUTS, SUGAR, PALM OIL, SALT.

 

Jiff Natural Creamy

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 Tbsp (33g)

Calories 190 Calories

Total Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 3g)

Sodium 80mg

Total Carbohydrate 8g (Sugars 3g)

Protein 7g

Ingredients:  MADE FROM PEANUTS, SUGAR, PALM OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF:

SALT, MOLASSES.

 

Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 Tbsp (32g)

Calories 180 Calories

Total Fat 15g (Saturated Fat 2.5g)

Sodium 100

Total Carbohydrate 8g (Sugars 3g)

Protein 7g

Ingredients:  PEANUTES, EVAPORATED CANE JUICE, PALM FRUIT OIL, SALT.

 

Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 2 Tbsp (32g)

Calories 190 Calories

Total Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 2g)

Sodium 130mg

Total Carbohydrate 7g (Sugars 1g)

Protein 8g

Ingredients:  DRY ROASTED PEANUTES, SALT.

During the quest for a better butter, I discovered that the healthiest option (Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted) on my list needs to be stirred and stored upside down in the fridge to create the best consistency. The Skippy Natural tasted too salted for me.  I did enjoy the Jiff Natural and its basic nutty flavor, but I really liked the Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator!  I didn’t need to stir it and it still had a lot less ingredients in it than the Reduced Fat Jiff, Skippy Natural, and Jiff Natural peanut butters.  I know that the Trader Joe’s peanut butter is the healthiest option out of all the versions I tried, but my favorite is still the Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator.  At least I went from a long list of ingredients to only four.  Throughout this adventure, it was also interesting to put my taste buds to the test.  Over time, my taste buds adjusted to the Smooth Operator’s texture and taste, even though, it had less sugar and sodium in it than the Reduced Fat Jiff.  It just proves that repeat exposure to healthier food options can lead to a preference for those items.

 

What is your favorite peanut butter?

 

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Tanya @ Dine, Dash, and Deadlift May 24, 2012 at 1:52 am

I grew up a huge Skippy fan and hated Jif or Peter Pan with a passion! Now my favorite peanut butter is Smucker’s natural. It is one that has to be stored in the fridge so it can be hard to spread on a sandwich, but it is perfect for eating straight out of the jar or melted over peanut butter!

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Tanya @ Dine, Dash, and Deadlift May 24, 2012 at 1:53 am

Oops, I mean melted over ICE CREAM…not peanut butter melted over peanut butter…although hey I love PB so that doesn’t sound too bad!

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Brooke May 26, 2012 at 2:04 am

MMM…don’t give me ideas Tanya! Haha :)

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Darci May 24, 2012 at 7:50 pm

Teddie smooth unsalted…the only ingredient is roasted peanuts and it’s delicious.

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Brooke May 26, 2012 at 2:03 am

Hi Darci, Thanks for leaving a comment! I will have to try this one!!!

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Ed May 27, 2012 at 10:39 pm

I agree, but Teddie’s unsalted chunky is also great.

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mun June 5, 2012 at 3:33 pm

smucker’s natural for sure. i buy the creamy pb and as long as you mix it thoroughly initially, you won’t have problems spreading it on bread. reuse the glass, wide-mouth jars. they are great for jobs around the house.

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Brooke June 11, 2012 at 12:07 am

Thanks for leaving a comment Mun! I use the glass jars to put candles in and line our back deck. They are a simple addition that when lit on a Summer night look really pretty.

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michelle June 3, 2013 at 5:57 pm

Peanut Butter & Co !!!!!! So good :)

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