Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: dougd on 2007-07-12 12:16 PM

I've read in various posts about eating peanut butter. I always thought this was a bad source of anything because of the fat.

But, the real reason for this post is: what is the difference between the different types, Organic, Natural, and the old everyday stand-by? I've looked at them at the store and they seem very similar.

Thanks,

Doug
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RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: Episcopit on 2007-07-12 1:18 PM

Organic meets some standard of the peanuts being organically grown. These peanuts may be processed into natural or standard PB.

Standard PB has hydrogenated oils mixed in to keep the natural peanut oil form separating from the pulp.

Natural PB leaves these oils out, so they need to be stirred to mix the oil back in.

All varieties vary on the addition of salt or sugar.  

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: dredwards on 2007-07-12 1:23 PM

Regardless of how they label it, I look for a peanut butter that has only "peanuts" on the ingredient list.  Usually these are labeled "natural," but not always.

Not all oils are bad for you.  Monounsaturated fats, like peanut oil, are considered "good fats," because they increase HDL ('good' cholesterol) and decrease LDL ('bad' cholesterol).

Saturated fats (including palm oil, which is often added to commercial peanut butters like Skippy), raise LDL.

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: Lucy on 2007-07-12 3:01 PM

The natural PB tastes better.  Once I tried it, I could never stand the "regular" PB again.  I just open a jar, dump it out into a bowl, mix it up, put it back in the jar, and toss it n the fridge.    Smuckers.  Peanuts, salt.  that's it.  Reminds me of the Breyer's ice cream commercials where the kids try to read the ingredients on the "other" ice creams.  

 

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RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: wurkit_gurl on 2007-07-12 4:47 PM

Peanut butter is a good source of protein too - it's not bad for you in moderation. I LOVE peanut butter- could eat it by the jar. But then I'd weigh 200 lbs
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RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: OrbeaMan on 2007-07-12 4:55 PM



I think this is the key. Peanut butter should be made of peanuts and only peanuts.

I go through a few jars a week. I don't like it, but it's a good source of calories and protein.
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RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: dougd on 2007-07-12 7:04 PM

Thanks all. I did notice the oil seperation in the natural. I also love peanut butter (and I do weigh more than 200 lbs, but working on it )
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"Don't ever accept anyone else's preconceived limitations. If there's something you want to do, there isn't any reason you can't do it."
-Amy Dodson, running amputee

"An apple a day will keep anyone away....If you throw it hard enough."
-Stephen Colbert

"I can call myself HIPPO, therefore, I am one" - Official Team Hippo Member since 11/2007

Training to Tri for Lupi, Pookie and Sqish

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: drdi on 2007-07-12 8:21 PM

I love Skippy.  I really don't like the taste of the natural peanut butters and I've tried several.  If you'll notice, the label on Skippy lists trans fat per serving as "0".  There is a small amount of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in the product, but the FDA still allows "0" to be claimed if it is less than 0.5 grams in a serving.  I am not one to freak out about small amounts of stuff like this in my food.  I don't eat a lot of other stuff that has trans fats in it, so less than 0.5 gram of trans fat in my peanut butter is not going to kill me.

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: mman on 2007-07-12 8:27 PM

Skippy has a "natural" peanut butter too. They use palm oil, so it doesn't separate like other naturals do. I'm not sure about palm oil in terms of saturated fat though. Personally, I like the skippy natural better than others I've had. It may not be quite as good nutritionally (it may - I'm just not sure), but it does have 0 trans fats, so seems to be a good compromise.

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: wurkit_gurl on 2007-07-13 9:34 AM



I believe palm oil is one of the not-so-good oils. Like coconut oil.
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If a tree fell in the woods, and there was no one around to hear it, would it be FOP? - Aikidoman

RE: Peanut Butter - Natural vs. organic vs. Skippy
BY: mman on 2007-07-13 10:01 AM

The response got me curious, so here's what their website says (if you believe it):

What type of palm oil is used in Skippy® Natural?
Skippy® Natural uses palm oil, that is extracted from the pulp of the palm fruit, then continues through several non-chemical processing steps. Skippy® Natural does not use palm kernel oil that is derived from the seed of the palm fruit and is extremely high in saturated fat.

Not sure that entirely answers the question. I'm going to compare Skippy Natural to Jiff (what my family eats).