Natural Peanut Butter vs. Regular?

Hansonian

Hey ya'll,

So I LOVE peanut butter and I've been eating a lot of it for protein. I bought some natural peanut butter and have been eating it for 2ish months (I log it as regular peanut butter, in case any of you have seen my food diary) and I'm wondering if there are really any health benefits aside from the fact that it doesn't have preservatives?

It has as many calories, it tastes half as good, and it's more expensive! I know that preservatives aren't good in any food, and I'm all for jumping on the all-natural train, but I haven't noticed a change in how soon I get hungry and my weight didn't drop significantly after switching. Can I just buy regular? Do you think it really matters?

mamahannick

Just buy regular if you prefer it. Life is too short to force yourself to eat a subpar (to your taste buds) food in favor of what you enjoy more.

condoleezachiapet

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

spoiledpuppies

Just buy regular if you prefer it. Life is too short to force yourself to eat a subpar (to your taste buds) food in favor of what you enjoy more.

Agreed as long as you don't need to watch sodium. And the natural is SOOO good. You might end up loving it!

auzziecawth66

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

Is it easy to make your own?

rml_16

Hey ya'll,

So I LOVE peanut butter and I've been eating a lot of it for protein. I bought some natural peanut butter and have been eating it for 2ish months (I log it as regular peanut butter, in case any of you have seen my food diary) and I'm wondering if there are really any health benefits aside from the fact that it doesn't have preservatives?

It has as many calories, it tastes half as good, and it's more expensive! I know that preservatives aren't good in any food, and I'm all for jumping on the all-natural train, but I haven't noticed a change in how soon I get hungry and my weight didn't drop significantly after switching. Can I just buy regular? Do you think it really matters?

Totally depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I eat Skippy Natural. It does have added sugar and salt, but it's still pretty low. I eat it mostly because it is the best-tasting PB I have ever tried (and yes, it is BETTER than the Jiff!).

kstand0053

Meh, I started out with Natural PB when I first started my weight loss journey, but I didn't really like the taste. I switched back to regular. Whatever! My trainer says its ok, and I've lost 29 pounds since Oct. so I say do what you want!

Hansonian

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

Holy crap that sounds great! Do you have a link you could post with your method of making your own? I LOVE that idea!

Hansonian

Thanks everyone! I was hoping you would say something along those lines!

Hansonian

Totally depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I eat Skippy Natural. It does have added sugar and salt, but it's still pretty low. I eat it mostly because it is the best-tasting PB I have ever tried (and yes, it is BETTER than the Jiff!).

I'm going to try Skippy Natural! I've been eating the Smucker's Natural and it's just... meh. Thanks!

rml_16

Totally depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I eat Skippy Natural. It does have added sugar and salt, but it's still pretty low. I eat it mostly because it is the best-tasting PB I have ever tried (and yes, it is BETTER than the Jiff!).

I'm going to try Skippy Natural! I've been eating the Smucker's Natural and it's just... meh. Thanks!

I haven't tried the Smuckers. I just really love the Skippy. lol If you prefer something else, though, eat something else.

Laughter_Girl

Tried the NP and didn't like the taste. I think I'm a regular girl for life. I love, love, love my peanut butter. Yum! Just eat the kind you best enjoy.

KombuchaCat

Try Earth Balance peanutbutter, it tastes just like regular commercial peanutbutter and also has some flax oil added for extra health benefits. You don't have to mix it, either...that's my biggest pet peave about organic/natural peanutbutters...kind of a pain.

Greytfish

Hey ya'll,

So I LOVE peanut butter and I've been eating a lot of it for protein. I bought some natural peanut butter and have been eating it for 2ish months (I log it as regular peanut butter, in case any of you have seen my food diary) and I'm wondering if there are really any health benefits aside from the fact that it doesn't have preservatives?

It has as many calories, it tastes half as good, and it's more expensive! I know that preservatives aren't good in any food, and I'm all for jumping on the all-natural train, but I haven't noticed a change in how soon I get hungry and my weight didn't drop significantly after switching. Can I just buy regular? Do you think it really matters?

Totally depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I eat Skippy Natural. It does have added sugar and salt, but it's still pretty low. I eat it mostly because it is the best-tasting PB I have ever tried (and yes, it is BETTER than the Jiff!).

It sounds like the OP is using the natural kind ( the one that separates). The Skippy Natural is a good middle ground between that and regular peanut butter, with more of a peanut taste and without the consistency issues that bother some people.

You can also make your own peanut or almond butter fairly easily, and add a bit of honey if you like for better consistency.

condoleezachiapet

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

Holy crap that sounds great! Do you have a link you could post with your method of making your own? I LOVE that idea!

All you need are nuts, a blender, and some time!

For my almond butter:

I pour two to three cups of almonds in the blender, set in on grind for 10-15 minutes. The almonds first become a fine ground dust, but around the ten-minute mark, the almonds secrete an oil that slowly makes the creamy, smooth texture of a nut butter. I put some sea-salt and honey in mine to flavor it.

Here's the link I used, in case you want more description: http://detoxinista.com/2012/09/how-to-make-homemade-almond-butter/

I'm sure the process is the same for all nut butters, including peanut butter.

tigersword

To make peanut butter:

Roast peanuts (or buy roasted peanuts to save a step.)

Toss them in a food processor.

Crush 'em.

Add peanut oil to get the desired consistency.

Eat.

MizzEngelChen

"normal" PB is full of crap: preservatives, sugar, extra oil etc. All you need to make PB are roated peanuts. That is what natural PB is: roasted peanuts and salt. I think it tastes more natural and better and is healthier. You shouldn't stuff yourself with extra sugar and oil if you're eating the PB for protein

tigersword

"normal" PB is full of crap: preservatives, sugar, extra oil etc. All you need to make PB are roated peanuts. That is what natural PB is: roasted peanuts and salt. I think it tastes more natural and better and is healthier. You shouldn't stuff yourself with extra sugar and oil if you're eating the PB for protein

False. Peanuts don't have enough oil on their own to make a smooth butter. Even natural peanut butters will add extra peanut oil to get the consistency.

dacspace

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

Holy crap that sounds great! Do you have a link you could post with your method of making your own? I LOVE that idea!

All you need are nuts, a blender, and some time!

For my almond butter:

I pour two to three cups of almonds in the blender, set in on grind for 10-15 minutes. The almonds first become a fine ground dust, but around the ten-minute mark, the almonds secrete an oil that slowly makes the creamy, smooth texture of a nut butter. I put some sea-salt and honey in mine to flavor it.

Here's the link I used, in case you want more description: http://detoxinista.com/2012/09/how-to-make-homemade-almond-butter/

I'm sure the process is the same for all nut butters, including peanut butter.

Thank you for posting your recipe and the link! Definitely going to make it. Going to search for Nutella substitute as well since my son loves it!

eddiesmith1

I find commercial Peanut butter too sweet for my tastes, I grind my own at a bulk store from unsalted peanuts (or occasionally grind almond butter) ,. Commercial Peanut Butter is also less protein and more fat (both are more of a fat source than a good protein source IMO) fresh ground 100 cal per TBSP and 3 mg Sodium, Skippy Natural 90 cal and 70mg Sodium Jiffy 95 and 70....So you will want to have more water if you opt for the processed

Hansonian

If you prefer it, regular. You can eat anything as long as you moderate. I even recommend you to blend your own peanut butter! I've been making my own almond butter lately and can tweak the flavors any way I want (and it's all natural). :flowerforyou:

Holy crap that sounds great! Do you have a link you could post with your method of making your own? I LOVE that idea!

All you need are nuts, a blender, and some time!

For my almond butter:

I pour two to three cups of almonds in the blender, set in on grind for 10-15 minutes. The almonds first become a fine ground dust, but around the ten-minute mark, the almonds secrete an oil that slowly makes the creamy, smooth texture of a nut butter. I put some sea-salt and honey in mine to flavor it.

Here's the link I used, in case you want more description: http://detoxinista.com/2012/09/how-to-make-homemade-almond-butter/

I'm sure the process is the same for all nut butters, including peanut butter.

I'm going to the store to buy the stuff I need for it this weekend! Thank you!

MityMax96

Do any peanut butter you like, just track it properly.

Regarding using it for a big source of your protein, I would advise not to look to for that purpose.

nuts have an incomplete amino profile for protein.
There are better sources for protein out there than nuts.

jkner4

I agree that you should eat what tastes good to you. However, if you have it in you, keep trying. I was a JIF addict for years, then made myself eat natural for awhile. I recently had some JIF and it is way too sweet for me now. Your taste buds will change and come to like the natural better, if you give it time.

Hansonian

Try Earth Balance peanutbutter, it tastes just like regular commercial peanutbutter and also has some flax oil added for extra health benefits. You don't have to mix it, either...that's my biggest pet peave about organic/natural peanutbutters...kind of a pain.

I definitely am not a fan of stirring the peanut butter - the consistency makes me cringe! I will try the Earth Balance, too! Apparently, I just need to go to a different store! My Food Lion doesn't carry any of these peanut butters! :P

eddiesmith1

Try Earth Balance peanutbutter, it tastes just like regular commercial peanutbutter and also has some flax oil added for extra health benefits. You don't have to mix it, either...that's my biggest pet peave about organic/natural peanutbutters...kind of a pain.

I definitely am not a fan of stirring the peanut butter - the consistency makes me cringe! I will try the Earth Balance, too! Apparently, I just need to go to a different store! My Food Lion doesn't carry any of these peanut butters! :P

When I go grind my own I never end up stirring it, I just put it in the fridge and it holds the consistency.

Hansonian

Do any peanut butter you like, just track it properly.

Regarding using it for a big source of your protein, I would advise not to look to for that purpose.

nuts have an incomplete amino profile for protein.
There are better sources for protein out there than nuts.

Would you suggest meat instead of peanut butter? I've also heard that flaxseed is good for protein? I am not very knowledgeable as far as protein goes. :P

auddii

Just buy regular if you prefer it. Life is too short to force yourself to eat a subpar (to your taste buds) food in favor of what you enjoy more.

This. I've grown to like the taste of natural peanut butter better, but I hate having to store it in the fridge and deal with the separation. So, I went back to regular. Mmmm, chemicals.

auddii

Do any peanut butter you like, just track it properly.

Regarding using it for a big source of your protein, I would advise not to look to for that purpose.

nuts have an incomplete amino profile for protein.
There are better sources for protein out there than nuts.

Would you suggest meat instead of peanut butter? I've also heard that flaxseed is good for protein? I am not very knowledgeable as far as protein goes. :P

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/926789-protein-sources

ETA: lean meats such as chicken are easily some of the best sources of protein, and chicken can be pretty cheap. If you are avoiding meat for whatever reason (don't like the flavor, moral reasons, whatever), there are a lot of ways to pack protein in your diet.

Hansonian

When I go grind my own I never end up stirring it, I just put it in the fridge and it holds the consistency.

Thanks! I'll try that when I grind mine this weekend!

rml_16

Do any peanut butter you like, just track it properly.

Regarding using it for a big source of your protein, I would advise not to look to for that purpose.

nuts have an incomplete amino profile for protein.
There are better sources for protein out there than nuts.

Would you suggest meat instead of peanut butter? I've also heard that flaxseed is good for protein? I am not very knowledgeable as far as protein goes. :P

Meat would be the best source, unless you're vegetarian.

Hansonian

Do any peanut butter you like, just track it properly.

Regarding using it for a big source of your protein, I would advise not to look to for that purpose.

nuts have an incomplete amino profile for protein.
There are better sources for protein out there than nuts.

Would you suggest meat instead of peanut butter? I've also heard that flaxseed is good for protein? I am not very knowledgeable as far as protein goes. :P

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/926789-protein-sources

Perfect! This is just what I need! I'm going to print it out!