Making a better PB&J
I’m always looking for that perfect intersection of healthy/money smart/Earth-friendly. Even when it comes to making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Here’s what I mean. A PB&J is a typically affordable sounding kind of lunch, right? We’re all looking for ways to keep our grocery costs down, especially now in these 2023 days of inflation…and shrinkflation (where that jar of peanut butter still costs the same but there’s actually a few less ounces in the jar). But at what cost to our health and environment are we opting for the cheapest PB&J possible?
Not all peanut butter is created equal, or jelly, or bread! Cheap peanut butter can be filled with hydrogenated oils, cheap jelly can contain very little fruit and a lot of sugar, cheap bread can have ingredients I can’t even pronounce. The challenge is in making PB&Js that are nutritious (my family eats a LOT of peanut butter), less harmful for the planet in terms of packaging and ingredient sourcing, and that don’t cost me an arm and a leg (like I said, my family eats a LOT of peanut butter!).
Here’s what I buy:
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter (chunky, of course)
Money Smart: cost is $5.49 for the big jar at Walmart.
Earth-friendly: Comes in a glass jar and can be recycled or reused. Even when I recycle the glass, I save the metal lids, which can be used for craft projects, like fun refrigerator photo magnets.
Healthy: the ingredients are peanuts and salt. That’s it. Some day I’ll go deeper into how and where those peanuts are grown, but for now, I’m satisfied to know these are the only ingredients.
Bonne Maman Strawberry Jam:
Money Smart: $4.99 a jar at Jewel. I know what you’re thinking - that’s not exactly cheap for strawberry jam. I admit, it’s pricier than I would like but this is where I believe in paying for quality. And a little goes a long way. Think of it as an accent to the peanut butter.
Earth-friendly: Comes in a glass jar that can be recycled or reused. I always keep these jelly jars - they are great for storing leftovers, bringing snacks to work, storing dry goods…or anything (nails, coins, cotton balls…you name it). They are also great for crafts, and the company website even lists ways to upcycle their jars. I really like that!
Healthy: Again, this product contains simple ingredients. Jelly made the way someone’s Grandma would make it. Real fruit, real ingredients.
Lewis Bakery Whole Wheat Bread:
Note: This bread company sells “half loaves” which is perfect for my small family that is trying to eat less bread in general. They also sell full loaves and other baked goods. I also like Dave’s Killer Bread which is more expensive but I sometimes buy when it’s on sale.
Money Smart: $1.99 for a half loaf at Jewel.
Earth-friendly: This bread is made in Indiana and Tennessee and provides baked good to 17 states, according to its website. Less transportation costs to get this bread to my local grocery store.
Healthy: I buy the whole wheat bread, which actually uses at least 50% real whole wheat and has the “whole grain” stamp on the package. Just because a products says “wheat” doesn’t mean it’s “whole wheat” or a “whole grain” product.
So, that’s it. That’s the way I look at making a better PB&J. It’s a work in progress, for sure, but isn’t that true for everything? We keep learning so we can make better informed choices so that we can create the life we want. For me, I’m creating a life that’s Earth-friendly, money smart, healthy (and creative!)…one PB&J at a time.
