| Review: Smart Balance Sweetened Peanut Butter: Opinions from expert and readers |
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WHAT IT IS: Smart Balance has rolled out a twist on their Omega Peanut Butter. The new Smart Balance Sweetened Peanut Butter: • has 33 percent (1 gram) less sugar than leading brands. The product has about same calories, saturated fat, sodium and fiber as leading brands but more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. We asked two readers and an expert to review it.
The balance of different fats used in the product can potentially contribute to a healthy heart. The palm oil contains a significant amount of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. The flax oil contributes beneficial omega-3s, but in a form not as efficient as in fish. There is some controversy surrounding palm oil and agave nectar since their health effects are still debated by scientists—specifically whether palm oil negatively affects cholesterol and whether agave nectar’s high fructose level is detrimental.* The bottom line is that no specific foods or food ingredients can lead to optimal health, and they should be evaluated within the context of a person’s total diet and lifestyle. *See last issue’s debate on high-fructose corn syrup for more. Last updated and/or approved: July 2009. Comments (6)
  written by Paul , March 08, 2010 The "GREAT NEW TASTE" is not a smart move. The new chunky and probably the creamy has now 3 grams of sugar per serving instead of 1. They added evaporated cane juice which is sugar. Maybe they want it to taste like JiFF or Skippy. Quite frankly if I wanted that I would buy that. They lost my business I will go back to Teddy or another natural brand.  written by Linny , February 10, 2010 I have been eating this PB for a few months and love it with Honeycrisp apples for lunch. I am now a little cautious because of the Palm Oil. I would not stop purchasing this brand but will try a more natural peanut butter in the future, one without Palm Oil.  written by LYNDA STRECKER , February 08, 2010 I USED TO LIKE SMART BALANCE PB BUT SINCE IT HAS BEEN SWEETENED,I REALLY DON'T LIKE IT.SO SORRY THEY CHANGED IT.WILL NOT BUY IT AGAIN.  written by Lancer Benson , November 17, 2009 I bought this because I found out that I have high cholesterol. The first thing that I thought was that it had a fishy taste. I thought that I couldn't be the only one to think this so I googled it and found this page. Just wanted to add my 2¢ to the mix. I can't smell fish, but can definitely taste it. I won't be buying this product again, unless I see the label changed to read "Now with no fishy taste".  written by Erik , October 30, 2009 I thought I would give this peanut butter a try again after deciding that it just did not taste good the first time I tried it. As I am eating it right now between two pieces of whole graing natural bread and loads of honey and once again, I have come to the same conclusion as I did before. I completely agree with Matt that when the PB first hits your taste buds, you can taste a little fish, which is simply not right. After going back to regular PB (Sunflower seed butter is even better, try Trader Joe's brand)I thought I got back into heaven. There is simply too much flaxseed oil in this product, although very good for you, they should cut it back. It's better to get your omega's other ways, not PB.  written by Matt , July 23, 2009 I find this Smart Balance Omega peanut butter truly disugsting. I initially thought it tasted like fish. I couldn't understand how, though. But then my wife, who thought I must be nuts, tried some and alas it did indeed smell like fish. Smells aside, it's quite tasteless. I will never buy it again. How they managed to make peanut butter taste like fish is beyond me. I bought a bottle of pure peanut butter with no additives and, as one would expect, it smells and tastes 100% of peanuts. Write comment
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Anna, receptionist, Penn Yan, N.Y. 
Susan, homemaker, Rosedale, N.Y. 
Marisa Neelon, M.S., R.D., registered dietitian, University of California Cooperative Extension, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 
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