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.
You know what, I've been wondering the same thing for a long time. Is it just the packaging/marketing??
If anyone has some insight, it would be greatly appreciated.
Smart Balance has whey in it. It is NOT vegan.
Our store has Smart Balance but not Earth Balance... *sigh* which is the stupidest thing ever... I've attempted to order Earth Balance through the store and I am waiting...................
Anyway we do get the Smart Balance since avoiding transfats is more important to me than one thing in the house with whey (which we use sparingly i.e. only in some baked goods, due to my son's allergy, but he doesn't seem to be affected by it) but when we move back to the US we will be getting Earth Balance ASAP!
Smart Balance has whey in it. It is NOT vegan.
I was just about to post the same thing Jennifer.....
I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of Earth balance....I do buy it and use it...I just don't have too many choices for vegan spreads.....what else does everyone else out here use? I find myself using oils much more then margarines or spreads these days.
Same here...
I never 'spread maragarine on toast' for example. I try to sub flax seed and a T of oil for margarine in baked goods that will allow it, pretty much only if I'm not using 'flax eggs' as well LOL that's be a fiber filled bread! LOL
I also saute in water...
Hmm... I guess I pretty much only use the smart balence when making cookies (usually flax eggs for those)... which we make once a week, for eating through out the week... 2 year old cookie addict. :D
....
I'm trying to think of what else I use it for and I can't think of anything! LOL
I think we'd eat it on corn on the cob in the summer.
I'd love to know if there was another non-hydrogenated spread though...
I "dip" bread into olive oil w/ balsamic and fresh garlic spices, etc. A tub of Earth Balance can lst a few months here in my home...
so peeps...what else do you use?
I "dip" bread into olive oil w/ balsamic and fresh garlic spices, etc.
Mmmmmmmmm :D my eyes are rolling back in my head LOL
I can't do that...... cuz I'd eat the whole loaf!!!!
Well, I'm afraid it's EB in this household, too. And we use too much, I'm sure. However, I cook with oils (even in baked goods) and just use the EB as a spread or on some veggies. I went so many years without using fats that it's quite a luxury to me now. :P
We use EB for some things (Will makes a killer biscuit with EB). Some things like pie crusts and certain cookies I think are better with EB, but I don't care for it as a spread. But I never really used butter that way either (give me cashew butter any day).
I always have olive, canola, and sesame oil on hand for most everthing else.
I thought Smart Balance Light didn't have whey??? :-\ I hope not because that's what I use!
Smart Balance LIGHT is vegan.... it has no whey in it! The regular Smart Balance does though. :)
ahhh nice to know...!
smart balence light (the two tub pack, right?) is not usually suitable for baking though... not enough oil content :(
Yup, it comes in either the 2-pack or just the 1 large tub. I don't bake alot but I've made brownies, cupcakes and muffins using Smart Balance Light and everything has come out great! Maybe increase the oil called for in the recipe or use applesauce??? ???
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 live in canada and i use president's choice celeb spread. i think becel makes a dairy free spread in a purple container as well.
Smart Balance LIGHT is vegan.... it has no whey in it! The regular Smart Balance does though. :)
**WHEW*** Thanks Cher Bear! And thanks Davedrum too. I'll be curious to hear what they say. I use a decent amount of SBL.
Honestly, as someone who has tried both, I like Earth Balance ok (maybe it's better in baking), but I have to say, Smart Balance Light is delicious. :P I could eat it with a spoon. (Ok, not quite, that's yucky. But close.) Because it has flax oil in it, you really shouldn't do any baking or extreme heating, it will morph those Omega 3's into something nasty. But I love tossing warm steamed veggies in it with chili flakes and crushed garlic.
I should probably give Earth Balance another shot, seeing as so many people adore the stuff; it seems like you have to love EB to be a good vegan. :P But Smart Balance Light really tastes "buttery" and rich; which is weird since it's Light in the first place.
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. And I know how to follow a recipe :P Eesh. That and I thought it tasted nasty. My family was big on butter and cheese so I do sometimes use EB just as a spread - like on those "everything" bagels I buy that just dont sound appetizing with some jam or jelly. I dont like mixing salty and sweet in one bagel!
Here's a vote for Earth Balance, for baking and spreading :P Esp. yummy when spread on hot biscuits. Mmm.
good question..
i too used to just use earth balance. however a couple of months ago i did not have any earth balance and since i live really far away from whole foods,i decided to go without. then on my weekly trip to the grocery store, i checked out smart balance light. it WAS vegan! i bought it but decided to email them BEFORE i ate it. they emailed me back right away and stated that the LIGHT balance was vegan!!! i was soooo happy. now dont get it confused for the non-light spread, for it does have whey in it and it is made clear on the package and it was made clear in their response. so enjoy..the 'light' that is.
veronica
I was under the impression that lactic acid was vegan. Am I wrong?
http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faqingredients.htm
I was under the impression that lactic acid was vegan. Am I wrong?
http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faqingredients.htm
You aren't wrong. From Wikipedia (not always the best source, but correct in this case):
"Although it can be fermented from lactose (milk sugar), most commercially used lactic acid is derived by using bacteria such as Bacillus acidilacti, Lactobacillus delbueckii or Lactobacillus bulgaricus to ferment carbohydrates from nondairy sources such as cornstarch, potatoes and molasses. Thus, although it is commonly known as "milk acid", products claiming to be vegan do sometimes feature lactic acid as an ingredient."
Elizabeth
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