PB2 Powder - Enjoy Peanut Butter Taste With Fewer Calories
- What is PB2 Powder?
- Benefits of PB2 Powder
- Cons You Need to Consider
- PB2 Recipes for Tasty but Lower Calorie Meals
- Conclusion
PB2 powder is an interesting twist on peanut butter that can provide you with much of the same flavor; with far fewer calories. If you’re a big fan of peanut butter, but can’t bring yourself to consume it because of the high calorie and fat content, PB2 peanut butter powder might be an important alternative for you in your weight loss journey.
What Is PB2 Powder?
PB2 powder is made by pressing most of the natural oils out of the peanuts. The resulting, dry nut is then ground into a powder which tastes very similar to peanut butter while only providing about 15% of the calories.
One of the coolest things about PB2 peanut butter powder is that you can reconstitute it so that it’s a similar consistency to peanut butter by simply adding water to it. If you’re just using it to get the delicious flavor of peanut butter, then all you need to do is sprinkle it into your favorite recipes to add some guilt free flavor.
Benefits of PB2 Powder
There are a number of reasons that PB2 powder is attractive to people. Many of these benefits appeal to those who are on low-calorie diets or trying to restrict their fat intake.
- There are fewer calories – Many people find the most desirable benefit of PB2 powder is the fact that there are so fewer calories in it compared to regular peanut butter calories. Much of the calories in peanut butter come from the fatty oils, so removing them leads to a lower-calorie product.
- There is less fat – Despite the fact that peanuts contain very healthy fat, they are known to contain quite a lot of it. Some people prefer to avoid consuming these fats due to dietary restrictions.
- It’s versatile – Since PB2 is a powder, it can be used as a dry ingredient which can be very useful in baking. It can also be reconstituted with water and used as a wet ingredient.
Cons You Need to Consider
While PB2 might be low-calorie, it’s important to consider the cons of a food product like this. There are some things that might not be ideal for consumers that come as a result of the way that the product is made.
- There are fewer vitamins – PB2 powder nutrition is less beneficial than normal peanut butter. There are some health concerns about the fact that the oils are taken out of the peanuts. Peanut oil is a rich source of many vitamins, such as vitamin E, which is important for the health of the skin. Peanut oil also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help ensure that our brain, heart, and nervous system function well.
- There’s added sugar and salt – To compensate for the lack of texture and flavor that PB2 has on its own, there are changes in the PB2 powder ingredients. There is sugar and salt added to the product. While refined sugar may not have as many calories as the peanut oil, sugar is known to contribute to inflammation and other health problems.
PB2 Powder Recipes for Tasty but Lower Calorie Meals
If you’re going to be using PB2, then it can be a good idea to have some tasty low calorie recipes that you can try it out with. Here are a few of our favorites.
Simple 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
This recipe couldn’t be simpler since it’s only got three ingredients: bananas, oats, and PB2. Of course, you can add extra things if you want.
You’ll need:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup of Quick Oats
- 2 tablespoons of PB2
The process:
- Grease up a cookie sheet while your oven’s preheating at 350 degrees.
- Mix your bananas, oats, and PB2 together
- Mix in any other ingredients that you feel necessary, like cinnamon or chocolate chips
- Add the dough in scoops to your cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes
Healthy & Quick PB2 Greek Yogurt
This recipe is for a great breakfast option that you can whip up quick in the morning. It’ll provide you with a healthy dose of protein, some vitamins from the apples, and a sweet tasty snack.
You’ll need:
- 3/4 cups of Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of PB2
- A drizzle of honey
- Some sliced apples
The process:
- Mix the yogurt together with the PB2 in a little bowl. Mix them together until they’re combined well, then drizzle the yogurt with your honey.
- Serve with sliced apples so you can dip them into the yogurt.
PB2 Healthy Microwave Popcorn
PB2 popcorn can be a great alternative to microwave popcorn. It’s healthier and will have a much richer flavor. Great to snack on your own or to share with friends.
You’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/2 a teaspoon of salt (give or take a bit depending on flavor preferences)
- 2 tablespoons of PB2
- 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon of sweetener (avoid using processed white sugar, if possible!)
The process:
- Mix the coconut oil, salt, and 1 tablespoon of your PB2 together in a large bowl. Put it in the microwave for a few seconds until it melts.
- Add the popcorn into the bowl, make sure that it’s well-coated in the melted mixture, spread the kernels evenly and put a vented lid on top of the bowl.
- Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, until you hear an interval of 1-2 seconds between pops.
- Remove and enjoy!
Dark Chocolate PB2 Latte
Another simple recipe that takes very little preparation and packs a lot of flavor.
You’ll need:
- A brewed espresso
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups of non-dairy milk (almond, soy, etc)
- Sweetener (again, avoid processed sugar)
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa or cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons of PB2
The process:
- Follow the normal directions to brew your espresso.
- Heat up the milk and sweetener over the stove.
- While your milk is heating up, mix the PB2 and cocoa powder in your mug.
- Add espresso, stir until mixed.
- Froth the milk and sweetener, then add to the espresso.
Kale, banana, and PB2 Smoothie
This is a great smoothie that will provide you with a huge blast of nutrients in addition to a delicious flavor.
You’ll need:
- 1 banana
- 1/4 cup of non-dairy milk
- 1 handful of kale
- 1 tablespoon of PB2
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 cup of ice
The process:
- Start the smoothie by pouring your liquid in the blender first. This will provide suction for the other ingredients.
- Add the banana, kale, PB2, chia seeds, and ice, then blend on high until everything’s mixed.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a low-fat, low-calorie alternative to peanut butter, then PB2 might be a good choice for you. It provides a similar flavor with only a fraction of the calories.
Unfortunately, with the reduced calories comes a significant reduction to the nutritional content. Most of the nutrients are found in the oil of peanut butter, so by reducing the oil content much of the nutrients are also sapped. PB2 also contains added sugar and salt.
Fortunately, PB2 is just as versatile as regular peanut butter and can be included in a huge number of different recipes. If this sounds right for you, then don’t hesitate to use PB2!
