Earth Balance vs Smart Balance???
Posted by YinzerMama on Apr 11, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 80 posts
What is the difference?? I can't figure it out. I looked at their web site and I can't figure it out.
Are the they same thing?
Is Smart Balance just sold in more conventional stores?
I got Earth Balance at Trader Joe's but found our regular store has Smart Balance.
I haven't read all the replies but I think Smart Balance has dairy in it and EArth Balance is vegan!
I've used Blue Bonnet Light Margarine as an alternative vegan margarine. You just have to be sure to get the Light kind cause the regular ain't vegan. It's okay, not the best but it's easier to spread than EB and I think it's the better option on toast. I haven't tried baking with it though.
Smart Balance Light is kosher parve; it's very unlikely that it contains dairy. Also, Smart Balance has preservatives, Earth Balance does not.
On the question about "soy balance" vs EB.. the Soy Garden (thats the real name for it) I believe I've heard is extra-buttery flavored EB. I really can't seem to tell a difference though. It also specifies "whole crushed soybeans" being in the Soy Garden and not in the EB. No idea if that's a good or bad thing, hehe. Otherwise they are both vegan and non-hydrogenated etc.
Can you taste/feel the crushed soybeans?? I found that part weird. Crunchy peanut butter = good. Crunchy margarine = :o
But maybe I'm missing something great, who knows?
Can you taste/feel the crushed soybeans?? I found that part weird. Crunchy peanut butter = good. Crunchy margarine = :o
But maybe I'm missing something great, who knows?
nah, the texture is just the same, SB it might be a little more spreadable than EB but i don't remember.
I read that someone had success using smart balance light in baking. HOW?? It specifically says on it, not for baking, and it ruined a couple batches of my very first vegan cookies, following a recipe that got rave reviews on this site.
I made a batch of cranberry scones yesterday and had no problems using Smart Balance. :)
I looked at my tub of "Organic Smart Balance" this morning. It declares that it's vegan and from reading the ingredient list, I tend to agree with them. If they're being honest about what's in there. You might look for that version. I found mine at H-E-B.
Here's the info on Smart Balance, and Smart Balance Light. It does say it has "artificial flavor"....I wonder what that is?.....I guess I'll email them and ask (not that I use it)....just curious to ask them if it's vegan.....I'll post their reply when received.
-dave
http://www.smartbalance.com/product.html#
I Still have not recieved a reply from them regarding what their "artificial flavor" is....great customer service!
They finally replied to my question over there at Smart Balance....this is the reply:
"The only Smart Balance spreads which are not vegan are Smart Balance
67%,
Smart Balance 64% with Flax Oil and Smart Balance Omega PLUS.
Joan Dippolito
Consumer Relations
GFA Brands Inc."
Hope that helps........
I have found customer service with some (many!) places to be alarming NON HELPFUL.
As an example I bought some Bear Naked granola a while back... vanilla almond. When it was time to buy some more, I noticed that the serving size had shrunk... but the calorie count had either stayed the same or gone UP! (It's been a while so I forget exactly...) The ingredients hadn't changed.
I wanted to know if the old nutritional info was wrong... or if maybe, now, they added a few more nuts? Less rice crisps? WHAT was the reason for the bizarre change?
I contacted customer service and the response had to do changing their definition of granola so that it was a topping, not a cereal, so a serving was now 1/4 c. ::)
But that wasn't my problem! I don't care how big a serving is, I care that what you used to tell me it was NUTRITIONALLY and what you now tell me it is aren't the same!
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