Smart Balance Peanut Butter - Safe?

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:27 am

Hi Everyone - my husband brought home a container of Smart Balance creamy peanut butter. I've missed eating peanut butter. The ingredients don't appear bad, but I've had somewhat of a flare lately and am wondering if this is not good after all. The ingredients are: peanuts, dried cane syrup, natural oil blend (consisting of palm fruit and flaxseed oils), salt, and molasses. The container says it is all natural, has no hydrogenated oil, no refined sugar, and it is an excellent source of Omega-3 ALA. They all appear safe to me, but wanted to bring it up here for comments from others.

Thank you.

Paula

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:40 am

Hi Paula,

Any legume (including peanuts) can be difficult to tolerate, especially during a flare. Apparently legumes open up those little gates in the gut that are responsible for leaky gut. That said, the nut butters are usually better tolerated than the whole nuts. Have you tried any tree nut butters? (walnut, pecan, almond, etc.). Perhaps they might be easier on the gut. Good luck!

Love,

Polly

ant · Post by **ant** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:50 am

Dear Paula,

Soy & ?

I agree with Polly. I see you have questioned "Soy & ?" on your intolerances list. Soy is a legume as are peanuts.......as are all "peas" and "beans"

If you cannot do peanut butter I hope you find a good alternative.

Best wishes, Ant

JeanIrene · Post by **JeanIrene** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:54 pm

Paula, if you have a blender or food processor, it is very easy to make nut butters at home. Just put almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans or a mix of a couple in your machine. You might want to add a bit of oil to it if it's not as creamy as you'd like afterwards. I usually process two cups at a time using my food processor. It takes awhile, maybe four to five minutes. Be patient. Eventually it will get nice and smooth.

Jean

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:58 am

Thank you Polly and Ant for pointing out that peanuts fall into the category of Soy (and other legumes). What was I thinking!!

Guess I wasn't.

I have tried almond butter and it does work fine fo rme.

I sent my Enterolab kit in, and am waiting for the results. Will post them when I get them.

Thanks again,
Paula

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:59 am

Jean - I never thought of making my own. It sounds so simple. Will have to do that sometime. Thanks for the tip!

Paula

jgivens · Post by **jgivens** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:57 pm

Paula,
Though I can't eat nut butters, I have made almond butter numerous times for the people in my family. It IS very easy in the food processor especially if you are using the pulse button. My processor gets quite warm while doing this and the butter quite often is very dry without some added oil. With almonds, I have added some cinnamon that my family members seem to think is good.

I try to stay away from any oils but olive and flaxseed. I also think on the SCD diet that molasses is one of the things they tell you to avoid. Since I am following a variation of that diet (I obviously don't eat dairy) I have avoided sugars like molasses.

I too, am waiting for my test results. I have not been this intent on getting the results of a test back since I took state boards many years ago!

I have been very interested in how other members test out as well. Be sure and share with us when you receive yours.