Sunbutter (I can\'t believe it\'s Peanut Free!)

I also wanted to add that it does taste a lot like PB, which could be good or bad. It tastes like PB with a sunflowery after taste. I haven't had any PB since we discovered my son's PA, and this is close enough that I no longer miss what used to be my favorite treat.

My only complaint is that they use a hydrogenated oil to make it, unlike I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter, which doesn't.

Their website shows they are committed to having a nut-free product and are very aware of allergies. I wish more companies would jump on this bandwagon instead finding more ways of using PB.

I will write to them and ask them to make more nut-free goodies made from Sunbutter. Something kinda like a Reese's. MMmmmm.

Oh yes; I could really get behind some type of peanut free Reeses product! yum. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]Miriam

Coincidentally, I just ordered some SunButter yesterday. (I was planning to wait until we tried it to write about it.)

It was outrageously expensive from the shopnd.com website ($10 for a one pound jar, $15 for two 1 pound jars), and when I asked SunButter (actually the company name is SunGold) about the pricing, they explained that it's so expensive to buy mailorder because the price includes the shipping fees. So of the $10 for a jar, about $8 is for shipping the jar UPS from North Dakota. I've shipped (commercially) with UPS before, and UPS Ground isn't *that* expensive for a one pound object, but I'll live with it this once. I don't believe it'll be any cheaper to purchase from the sunbutter.com website (once online ordering is available there), but you never know.

If we like it, I'm going to try to get my local grocery store or Bread & Circus (the closest whole foods store, my usual source for soynut butter) to carry it, in which case I assume the price will be considerably less.

By the way, I asked my son's allergist (from Children's Hospital in Boston) if there was any type of cross-reactivity or reason to be concerned about exposing a PA/TNA child to sunflower seed products, and he said it was fine. Not that he could guarantee that my son wouldn't develop a sunflower seed allergy, but there was no reason to believe it would be a problem. (I asked because when we switched to soynut butter, my PA son became allergic to soy.)

Debbie

I've tasted the Sunbutter, it was really quite good. (Due to the soybean oil we won't be eating it at our house though.) It does taste remarkably like peanut butter. I wouldn't be able to tell them apart in a taste test. This similarity strikes me as a possible danger.

I agree that the similarity in taste with PB could be a danger! How do you know that it is really sunbutter and not PB unless you see it taken from the jar?

Does it taste better than Soynut butter? I think the I.M. Soynut butter is awful-I couldn't even eat it. How does this compare? Thanks-Amy

I think, too, that it could be dangerous that it looks so much like peanut butter. Nevertheless, I think it would be great to see daycares and schools use this instead of pb. I also emailed Walmart to see if they would possibly carry it. Could those of us with school/daycare children suggest this to their schools/daycares as an alternative? Or is that not a good idea? Sorry, my son's not in either at this time. In any case it would be nice if our extended families would purchase something like this for their homes instead of pb.

Nicole

The SunButter I ordered just arrived today. I have tasted it, but the kids haven't had a chance to yet.

First of all, I don't think it smells or tastes like peanut butter. It smells and tastes like sunflower seeds, which makes perfect sense, since that's what it is. It's not salty like the sunflower seeds you normally eat as a snack, of course, but other than that, it tastes just like sunflower seeds to me, and that's a good thing, because I like sunflower seeds.

It is very smooth, just as smooth as commercial peanut butter, and spreads very nicely. It's a little darker than PB, and less sticky and a little bit thinner, I think.

To compare it to IM Healthy SoyNut Butter, I'd say SunButter wins hands-down. Sunbutter tastes much better and spreads much more easily than SoyNut Butter. It also doesn't separate, like the SoyNut Butter does.

Obviously, if you don't like sunflower seeds, you probably won't care for SunButter. But for us, I think this is going to work out really well. We'll see what the kids think, though, before I can give you our household's "official" verdict on the stuff.

Debbie

My Sunbutter sample just arrived. I like it!

Also included a very good handout regarding PA --- good enough to go into my file of shareable info.

Now to see about ordering some of it...

Sue

We got two jars of sunbutter last week and I love it. I have not had peanut butter for about six years! Because I haven't had peanut butter for so long, I thought it smelled a lot like peanut butter and it has a similar taste. I made toast right away - yum!

I made cookies with it from the Sunbutter recipe. I took the cookies to my daughter's grade school last night and gave some to all three third grade teachers. It was meet the teacher night. I gave my usual PA handouts and chat on my daughter's PA along with the cookie samples.

The parents all had good things to say about the cookies - most were amazed that it wasn't a peanut butter cookie! I handed out the sunbutter company info and asked everyone to contact them for a free sample. I told them that if they didn't like the sample I would be very happy to take it off there hands!

My PA daughter smelled the sunbutter, then had a very tiny taste of it. She asked if this is what peanut butter tastes like. I told her that the taste and look was pretty close to the real peanut butter. She then said she didn't like it at all. If she had decided that she liked it, I would not have sent it to school with her in any form other than baked goods as I would not want other's to get confused and think she was eating peanut butter.

Anyway - I'm happy!

Sue in Sunny Arizona

[This message has been edited by Sue (edited August 28, 2002).]

I got my sample too... all I can say is YUM! Even if Jason won't eat it, DH and I will be happy to use it for our own sandwiches.

------------------
Cheryl, mom to Jason (5) and Joey (3)

we make our own sunbutter by mixing: sunflower seeds (unsalted) 1cup
sunflower oil (or whatever you use)1/4 cup
and a little salt
blend until thick or chunky looking peanut butter.
you may use less or more seeds and oil make it too your liking

Where do you buy sunflower seeds? Are they processed with nuts at all? Is there a particular brand? Making your own is a great idea! I bet they may be good in homemade pesto! Becca

I got a sample of Sunbutter also and dh and I love it. DS didn't want to try it-which is fine.

We know someone who goes to college in Fargo, ND so hopefully she can bring us back some from there.

I'm also wondering what sunflower seeds you buy. It would be fun to make our own.

Nicole

i know you proply think i'm crazy but i got them in the bulk section at my grocery store they are not even close to the nut section. my son with the pa tried it once an didn't like it either, but it's mainly use by my husband. I have made sunbutter cookies with it and he seems to like them and has never had a rection.

I just got my sample of Sunbutter. It is wonderful! It smells and tastes a lot like peanut butter (however, there is an aftertaste of sunflower seeds which was okay with me). I was in heaven eating my toast this morning with it. DS was too scared to eat it. It looks, smells and tastes so much like peanut butter that he was too afraid to give it a try. I guess that's a good thing since it shows that he is very aware of his food allergy at 5 years of age and won't chance anything. Anyways, I hope you will all give it a try. I definitely plan on ordering lots and lots of this. However, I would never send it to DS' school (if he ever decides to try it) since I wouldn't want anyone to confuse it with peanut butter and think he no longer has the allergy.

reraising.

Does anyone think that the schools would ever replace peanut butter with this product in the food services?

I just sent for my sample of Sunbutter, I am VERY excited about this!! I cant wait to get it

Also, I wanted to share an idea with everyone. In the past, I have NOT sent soynut butter sandwiches to school with my son for fear of people confusing it with PB, or sending mixed messages. So, yesterday, I added some RED food coloring to it and mixed it well. Then I spread it on bread with raspberry jelly, and the sandwich looked NOTHING like PB. In fact, it looked like a frosting and jelly sandwich. My son was so delighted!! I cant wait to try a different color, like green or blue!!

CANT wait for my sunbutter!!

I'm in Canada and just wondering if anyone in Canada has requested and received a sample of Sunbutter.
I filled out the request form, but it had the State/Zipcode box - so I'm not sure it they send *north*
Thanks,
mae

mae,

I called them this morning and they do send to Canadian residents(I just thought it was a bit expensive).

Hope this helps, I forgot to ask if they sell to health food stores...jeez.
Why in the heck don't they sell this everywhere? If it tastes so good? Questions Questions Questions.
I did tell the rep. where I got the website address from, so heck maybe they will read this and take note.

I got my sample and I love this stuff!!! It is great! I had a marshmellow and sunbutter sandwhich for lunch! Fluffernutters used to be my favorite and now I don't have to miss them anymore!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
kcmom

After reading all the posts, I ordered a 4 lb. jar. We ran out of pumpkin seed butter, which we really like mixed with powdered sugar, but want to try this also. Ryan probably won't like it, but my girls will. I'm curious if my other little guy will like it though.

I sent for a sample so hopefully I get it soon!

If I like it...(love it)I will cough up the dough and order. It's just with the exchange on the Canadian dollar etc. etc. it's a lot more [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

We got our sample today and it tastes good, our son won't be eating it because of the soy. Does anyone have a recipe for pumkin seed butter?

I got my Sunbutter today, and it is good. It is better than soynut butter, but not quite as good as the real thing! It does have a familiar peanut smell and initial taste, but the after taste is clearly sunflower seed.

In any case, my son is delighted and I will be buying some 4lbs jars!!

Beth

I"m so excited!!!!!! I just got the cutest little jar of Sunbutter in the mail (actually, it came by UPS!). I'm so impressed!! Smells great, tastes great. I tried it on bread, then toast. Yum!
We're going to Minneapolis next month, so I'll be stocking up!
Can't beleive how fast the sample came. They also included recipes and great nutritional info. I'm hooked.
mae [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

We got our 4 lb. jar of SunButter today. The girls are glad it's so big because they really like it, better than pumpkin seed butter. However, I prefer the more earthy taste of the pumpkin seed butter so I'll order more of that for my husband and myself.

Ryan smelled it, and winced a little. He didn't care too much for the smell. He tasted a small speck and said, "It's kind of good and kind of bad." Typical five-year old response! I don't expect him to be wanting more of it anytime soon. It's just not to his liking.

I just received mine in a cute little wee jar as well! I love it. My Megan loves it, but my pa son Austin thinks it a tad dry? I put some on bread with my homeade strawberry jam and Megan liked it but Austin still didn't.

Oh happy day, when I get to make baked goods that call for peanut butter and now I can use this! I'll be buying it no matter what the cost....it's worth it.

I am always so well informed from reading this site! My husband just heard on the radio yesterday (NPR, not sure if it was a local segment or national) that our school system (Fairfax County, Virginia) is testing Sunbutter as a PB substitute in the after school child care program! I called 'em up & verified that was true. Yep, they did a taste test at a shool a week or so ago. Taste test was w/ 5th graders & it was moderately successful -- about 1/4 said it was good, 1/4+ said it was OK & 1/2- said it was no. Some PA parent raised the issue of false sense of security because it looked so much like PB & I told the food service people that I personally wouldn't let my kid eat Sunbutter unless it was at home, but I certainly would be happier about being around kids eating SB rather than PB. (And my kid does go to the after school program, so this may well affect us!)

Anyway, word seems to be getting out about PA issues in a big way! If ever there was a good time to be saddled w/ PA this is it, don't you think?

Anne

Is anyone here slightly concerned with the idea of flooding our diets with more seeds?
the rate of sesame allergie is rising after peanut. What would happen if the next genration of atopic children avoided peanuts but flooded diet with seeds?
A little moderation is required here , lets not stuff the kids with this stuff.
sarah

I liked the Sunbutter sample we received, but only plan to use it on a limited basis because we do our best to avoid hydrogenated oils. (Got to keep DH healthy right alongside DS...)

Since DS is contact reactive, I figure a PB sandwich (in someone else's lunchbox) replaced with a Sunbutter sandwich is one less potential trip to the ER for us.

I think that a lot of the excitement over the Sunbutter I'm reading here is on behalf of those who aren't PA at all -- but are families who've sworn the stuff off for a child or sibling's sake. It's also one more suggestion for the "my child will only eat PBJ" for school lunches crowd. It looks and smells and spreads like PB -- and the taste is really close, too.

Just my .02 [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Sue

I tried the sample of sunbutter and I could barely eat it. I do love sunflower seeds but I just couldn't stomach the sunbutter. Luckily I had only made 1/4 of a sandwich with it. However my dh likes it so we might buy some for him, especially if it spreads easier than soy butter.

Gale

I've been trying to go to the sunbutter website to order a free sample. I can get to the website but when I click on the subject to go to the link to order a sample, I just keep getting a blank screen. Anyone have this problem?

I got a sample of sunbutter last week - not for my PA son but for my non-PA picky-eater son and for friends that come over. I think it's wonderful! I put it on Ritz crackers for my 5 year old non-PA and he just ate them right up without a comment (I didn't tell him I had switched).

I've had situations where my friends ask if it's okay to give their own kids peanut butter and after we discuss safe handling and they see how much work it is, they usually decide they won't do it again. I think sunbutter is a great alternative. I tried the soynut butter and I thought it was awful. Now I just have to see if I can find the sunbutter locally or order from the web.

I made "PB" chocolate-covered Easter eggs with Sunbutter at Easter time. I gave some to my friend to "test" on her kids (she didn't say who gave them to her) and her kids couldn't tell the eggs were not PB ones. They just ate them up and that was that.

For anyone who is interested, sunbutter does come without hydrogenated oil and in organic. I don't like to give my family hydrogenated oil either!

Lora -

Thanks for letting us know. I'll have to check the website again!

-Sue

I ordered some and it came today! It is amazing. DD doesn't like it, I think it's too close to pb.

Paula

We just ran out of our sunbutter sample today and ordered the big jars! Megan loves it. I hate that the shipping was more than the product though. But with her other food allergies, it is worth it to get her some variety. Now she has her sunbutter and jelly sandwiches while her sister has peanut butter/jelly. (We just became more informed on the PA issue! I ordered a sample of the honey crunch sunbutter also, to see if her sister will like it. Then we can get rid of the PB alltogether!)

The sunbutter we ordered for Megan is the creamy. It contains sunflower seeds, sugar, fully hydrogenated oils (rapeseed and cottonseed oils), salt and monoglycerides.

I think the organic might be called natural. As far as I can remember, it contains sunflower seeds, dried cane juice, and no oils (I'm not 100% though). The honey crunch also contained wheat and soybean oil. This will be okay for her sister, but not her. I am looking to get the peanut butter out!

I think it's wonderful to have a replacement for PB. I agree that it is more for us that are non-PA and missing it! Megan does not even know what PB really tastes like!

Please help me - my son is PA/TNA/Sesame Allergic - he has shown allergic reaction to flaxseed - does this mean all seeds - Sunbutter in particular shuold not be tested?

I have tried it myself and love it and the trail mix was great but not sure my son (2+ years old) should be exposed.

What do you think?

Thanks

Janice

I recently purchased Soynut butter and Sunbutter for my 12 year old. She misses PB alot and we don't allow it in our home.

She loved the Sunbutter - much better than the soynut butter. She said it was very similar to PB and was very excited.

Does anyone use the Sunbutter from Trader Joe's?

we use the Trader Joe's sunbutter all the time. I believe it is from the same company, it just has been packaged especially for Trader Joe's.

Where can I purchase sunbutter in Canada? I have never seen this product here. Thanks

How long did it take you to get the Sunbutter? I ordered 10 days ago but still have not received it... whine! I tried the sample a couple of years ago and we all loved it!

Valerie

Hi- my orders always take at least 2 weeks. Be careful- my past two orders were incorrect and now I'm out some money because they say I rec'd items when in fact I didn't. I spent around $75 and they think I'm lying about a $6 item. Love the sunbutter but not happy with the way they do business.

We did receive that first jar of sunbutter... a 4 lb jar and it was gone in a week!!! Ordered 4 one pound jars and 3 are already gone! My kids LOVE it!!
Valerie

Sadly Sunbutter has wheat in it, I e-mailed the company and they told me so, since I have celiac and my daughter PA we keep as many "allergy" things out of the house as we can, so no sunbutter for us.

Susan