What ingredients are in your jar of peanut butter? Do you know without looking?
Most popular brands have labels that look something like: “Peanuts, Sugar, 2% Or Less Of: Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed And Soybean), Mono And Diglycerides, Salt.”
When I think about healthy habits and making the right decisions for my body, mono and diglycerides isn’t something that comes to mind first. Or ever. I Googled what exactly this ingredient is (because who even knows) and it’s something that helps the oil (added ingredient) mix with water. Helpful, sure, but what happens when this stuff gets inside the body?
According to Medical News Today, “the FDA classifies monoglycerides as ‘generally recognized as safe’ as food additives and ingredients, meaning that they do not pose an immediate health risk”
Actually the more I research this the more grossed out I get.
What we put into our bodies makes a difference in how we feel now and in the long term! There’s not an immediate health risk, but if you continue to put this into your body over and over for 30 years, then what? And it’s in a lot of packaged foods, not just peanut butter.
Here are my solutions: Read the labels on peanut butter (and everything). My favorite brand is Teddie because it has basic ingredients: peanuts, salt. They even have an unsalted version so it’s literally ONLY PEANUTS! Yes you have to stir these kinds when you open them the first time, but then put it in the refrigerator and when it’s cold it’s like any other junky peanut butter! But better for you! It costs a little more money than the more popular brands, but a little extra now is worth it for your health. Am I right!?
Check your ingredients!
Another option is to make your own, and it’s way easier than you’d think. Start with a cup of peanuts (your choice – unsalted, salted, honey roasted, etc.- just be sure to check those labels too!) and put into a food processor, coffee grinder, or a good blender (I use a Ninja blender) and pulse. Peanuts will first turn into a powder, but keep pulsing and soon you’ll see your peanut butter taking form! Use a rubber spatula to scoop it into a mason jar or other sealed container (perhaps an old peanut butter jar?) and voila! you made your own peanut butter.
I love to make my own to share with my dogs. It’s one of their favorite treats, and knowing it’s not full of junk for them makes me feel good about giving it to them too ❤
Here’s a vegan treat I made for Valentine’s Day using Teddie Peanut Butter + dairy free chocolate. These didn’t last long in my house! Crisp chocolate outside, soft peanut butter inside; I’m drooling thinking about it. Find the recipe on Teddie’s Instagram page.
Let me know, will you make the switch to better peanut butter? Will you make your own? Will you make the truffles!?
kateneedsfitness 