Go Nuts! Take a Look at PB2

It seems that so many are constantly on the quest for the next up-and-coming diet fad or health trend. And I am guilty as charged. I recently heard of a product called “PB2” (a powdered form of peanut butter) and thought that I’d give it a try to see what the hype is all about.

PB2 is made by squeezing the natural oils out of a peanut. The byproduct is dehydrated, resulting in a powdery dust with about 85-90% of the fat removed. Your job is take two tablespoons of the powder and mix it with one tablespoon of water . . . and voilà – peanut butter!

This may sounds too good to be true, and it probably is. As far as nutrition goes, it really depends on what you are looking to find. If you are all about counting calories, this is definitely a step up from regular peanut butter. Consuming the suggested serving size of two tablespoons will only cost you 45 calories as opposed to the 180 calories in the same serving of traditional peanut butter.

If your diet focuses on the quality of nutrition, PB2 probably isn’t for you. The process of removing all the natural oils in a peanut also removes the majority of its benefits – specifically the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats help reduce cravings and are really what makes peanut butter so tasty! Plus, removing these good fats means having to add more sugar to make up for the lack of flavor.

From a taste standpoint, PB2 is pretty decent, though kind of reminiscent of the inside of a peanut butter cup – you know, that fake kind of good. Bell Plantation, the makers of this concoction, do offer some great recipes on their website, as well as a chocolate version of PB2!

Overall, PB2 is a great way to indulge your sweet tooth without overdoing it on the calories. If you’re like me though, traditional peanut butter will always be the first choice!

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