Powdered Peanut Butter
I didn’t enjoy peanut butter until I was in college. One day I happened to try some my mother always kept in the “random stuff” cupboard, and I enjoyed it. In fact I enjoyed an entire jar at one time—on multiple occasions. Where was this creamy delicacy all my life? Then what happened next was inevitable: I had to cut myself off from peanut butter. I was out of control.Years passed after my ill-fated love affair with peanut butter. Suddenly it’s 2015, and I’m changing my diet to make healthy lifestyle changes. Peanut butter is often listed as an ingredient in healthy snacks but I could never bring myself to buy it. I knew what may happen. As much as it’s a healthy option, my lack of self-control would be an issue.
I told a friend of mine about my dilemma, and she recommended trying Bell Plantation’s PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter. Now when she said powdered, I was pretty much disgusted. It just sounded gross. I remembered my mother bought a jar of it a few years ago and said how good it was. I wasn’t convinced until I learned that a serving of PB2 was 2 tablespoons, which amounted to all of 45 calories. I wanted to try it.
For the past six weeks, I’ve been enjoying PB2. It’s delicious and healthy and often times, those two are pretty hard to find in the same food.
PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter
Here are some things you should know about Bell Plantation’s PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter:
- 45 calories per serving.
Yes, you read that right. A serving is 2 tablespoons of the powder. According to Bell Plantation’s website, PB2 has 85% less fat calories than traditional peanut butter. Two tablespoons of other regular peanut butter brands can have anywhere from 190 to 230 calories!
- It changes form.
You could eat PB2 straight from the jar as a powder if you want to, but there are other options. You can mix it with water (or any liquid according to the website) to give it a traditional consistency. As you add more water, it becomes creamier and smoother. Add water or liquid in small increments to achieve the desired consistency.
- Awesome to travel with.
If you’re going on a road trip, throw some PB2 in a container or sandwich bag. It won’t take up much space, and it mixes up quickly. If you’re like me and get headaches when you don’t eat every few hours, PB2 fits in a snack bag to keep in your purse or gym bag.
- Not bad for the price.
Grocery stores in the New Jersey area sell PB2 for about $4.99 per 6.5-ounce jar. Bell Plantation’s website compares the 6.5-ounce PB2 jar to 18 ounces of regular peanut butter. If buying in bulk is an option, their website offers a 12-pack of the 6.5-ounce jars for $47.88 plus shipping.
- Tasty? Check.
PB2 holds up in the flavor department against stiff competition from traditional peanut butter. It has a slightly milder nutty taste and is certainly less salty. PB2 also has a soft, sweet aspect to its flavor as well.
- Great for moderation.
Like I said, I could eat an entire jar of regular peanut butter. Eating powdered PB2 from its jar doesn’t appeal to me in the same way—and that’s not a bad thing. Because you can eat 2 or even 4 tablespoons depending on your diet, you end up with a large serving once you add water. It doesn’t make it feel like you’re depriving yourself, either, which is a reason some people can’t stick to dietary changes.
- Healthy? Check.
Some “diet” foods are loaded with ingredients that not every eater wants in his or her food. Bell Plantation states their products, including PB2 and others, are “all natural, preservative-free, and contain no artificial sweeteners.” If you have any questions on other ingredients or how PB2 is made, they are happy to provide additional information to customers here.
So there you have it. You can get your fix for peanut butter without so many calories (or the guilt). If you want to try some PB2 recipes, visit www.bellplantation.com. They have recipes for muffins, rice pudding, and even oatmeal raisin cookies. As Bell Plantation says, they’re “achieving great things with the humble peanut.” Try it!
About the Author
Sian Babish is a writer from New Jersey. Before tearing up the floor in Zumba classes, she was kicking sky-high as a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She also enjoys cooking, Jeopardy!, and stand-up comedy. Sian uses her skills to give back by volunteering as a career mentor and resume writer. She is also the author of Medical Authorizations Made Easy, published in May 2015 on Amazon.com. Follow @sianbabish on Twitter.
Many cultures have thrived on vegan diets for millennia, and those for whom veganism is a personal, ethical, or political choice more often than not benefit from improved health in comparison to people who consume animal products. Despite this, many people—including the medical and athletic communities—have been slow to catch on. Concerns about the lesser quality of plant proteins, and adequate intake of B vitamins, have led athletes in particular to avoid choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.