Powdered Peanut Butter

If you're anything like me, peanut butter makes life worth living. No, really. But then you turn the jar around and see that 2 tablespoons could go almost as high as 200 calories. Yikes! Yes, peanut butter does have a ton of protein (about 8g in those same 2 tbsp), but the calories could easily add up as well. 

So what's the alternative? Since I like shakes, I had been searching for something with a ton of protein that I could easily add to my shakes without all the calories. I found this PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter. I guess it really isn't a butter yet since it is powdered.

You're probably squeezing up your face going "There's no way powdered peanut butter can be a good substitute for the real thing". Well, let me give you my review.

Taste: Let's start with the taste. While nothing can taste as good as peanut butter straight out of the jar, this is a pretty good substitute. All you have to do is mix it up with a little water to the consistency you like, and voila, you have peanut butter. I have not gotten good at mixing it to look exactly like peanut butter, but I'm getting pretty close. But forget the look, it does taste great. And that's coming from a peanut butter snob.

Nutrition: It might seem a little strange to even be talking about powdered peanut butter. Obviously, when you blend peanuts, you don't get a powder. However, the process to get there is quite interesting. The manufacturers roast peanuts, and then somehow separate all the oil from the peanuts. What we are left with is the peanuts in powdered form. 

Now, peanut butter usually contains all that oil, which is where most of the calories come from. So separating the oil from the powdered peanut means you get fewer calories. Hurray! How few is 'fewer'? PB2 Powdered peanut butter contains about 45 calories in 2 tbsp and 5g of protein (vs the 190 calories and 8g of protein in peanut butter). Though the protein is less, the calories are pretty amazing.

Price: The cost is fairly similar. On the Bell Plantation site (the manufacturers), a 4-pack of PB2 goes for about $15.96. Unfortunately, PB2 is only sold online, and the manufacturer's website does not sell singles. But fret not! For Amazon will always redeem us :) On Amazon, 1 jar of PB2 goes for about $5, which is very similar to the cost of regular peanut butter. 

If you are not in the mood to order online and wait a few days, there are other brands out there. I do know Trader Joes also has a powdered peanut butter substitute, and I have been to a few local stores that make their own. Go to some health stores around you and I am sure you'll find a local brand.

Use: I love the flexibility that comes with peanut butter in powdered form. You can add it to shakes, you can make it thick and spread it on your toast, or you can use it to flavor peanut sauces if you make any. It's a win-win in my opinion.

Try it out and let me know what you think. 

Cheers Eights & Weights!

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