If you’re looking for a decadent, guilt-free, and protein-packed snack on the go, these peanut butter chocolate protein balls are the perfect fit for you. Check out the recipe below.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Balls
Ingredients:
- 2 scoops of Naked Nutrition chocolate PB powder
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup raw Manuka honey
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- Mini dark chocolate chips (optional)
Directions:
- Add ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir until well-combined.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and then enjoy.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or the freezer for 6 months.
What is PB Protein?
If you’ve never tried Peanut Butter (PB) protein, you are missing out. This trendy new form of peanut butter is a lot lighter in fat and calories than traditional varieties. It comes in a powdered form that can easily be mixed into foods or liquids such as smoothies, protein shakes, yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods, and more.
How is PB Protein Made?
PB protein is made by pressing peanuts to remove the oil. What is leftover is then ground down into a fine powder. Because the oil is removed, the peanut butter powder left contains a fraction of the fat and calories but with all the intense peanut flavor of regular peanut butter.
Is PB Protein Good for Weight Management?
PB powder can be a great option for peanut butter lovers who are watching their waistline. Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying natural peanut butter, sometimes it can be tough to stick to a standard 2-tablespoon serving size.
Because natural peanut butter is high in calories, about 190 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, swapping out for PB powder can cut down on calories while still providing filling and valuable protein.
Is PB Protein Healthier Than Regular Peanut Butter?
PB protein is not necessarily any healthier compared to natural peanut butter but rather can provide different benefits. For example, PB powder is great for adding peanut butter flavor without the extra calories and fat. This can make it more versatile, especially for those looking to lose weight.
However, natural peanut butter contains healthy fats that are beneficial for your heart, such as oleic acid, which is a type of monounsaturated fat. Oleic acid has been connected to various health benefits including reducing the risk for insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity [1].
PB Protein vs Whey: Which is Better?
If you are considering swapping out your whey protein powder for PB protein, you want to consider the difference in protein content. Although PB protein powder contains protein, it contains a fraction of the amount that whey does in a single serving.
PB protein can be a great option for boosting protein intake in foods, specifically for those who are vegetarian or vegan, but it does not provide as much of a hefty boost as whey protein unless you use quite a bit of it.
For example, Naked Nutrition’s Naked Whey protein powder contains 25 grams of protein per serving, about 2 scoops. To get close to the same amount, you would need to take 3 servings of their Naked PB protein powder, which contains 7 grams of protein per serving, about 1 scoop.
Whey protein is also a complete protein while PB protein is not. Although current research suggests this is not a concern as long as you are meeting your protein needs throughout the day with a variety of foods, it’s something to consider.
When it comes down to it, which one you choose will depend on your lifestyle and goals. If you are looking to boost protein with a vegan or vegetarian friendly option, PB protein might be a good fit for you. However, if you are looking to increase your protein intake more substantially to meet your exercise goals, whey protein may be the better choice.
Is PB Protein Good for Building Muscle?
Protein in any form can help to build muscle mass and PB protein is no exception. PB protein is great for supplementing protein in meals or snacks that may be a little low, such as yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, or overnight oats, and sauces.
PB protein is not a complete protein source, meaning it is lacking one or more of the 9 essential amino acids required to make a protein. Because of this, many feel it is not a suitable protein powder for building muscle. However, as long as you are consuming a variety of different protein sources throughout the day this should not impact your ability to increase muscle mass.
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