Tuesday, June 12, 2012

An Ode to Peanut Butter

Hi, my name is Danielle, and I am a peanut butter addict.

No really, I am. It’s sad, but I can dominate almost a whole jar in 1-2 days. I may or may not have skipped dinner on occasion to have a ridiculous amount of PB instead! (Busted! If you follow me on myfitnesspal, you know I’m speakin the truth here!) It’s such a love/hate relationship. I love it, and hate that I have no self-control with it! Ha!!

Peanut butter often gets a bad rap because it’s high in calories and fat, but it is the GOOD FAT- the fat our bodies need to be healthy. Peanut butter is nutritious and GOOD for you in moderation. (Yes, I am still trying to master that whole concept!) It’s important to note serving size, and I have started to use a TBSP measuring spoon to measure my serving sizes so I can keep track accurately on Myfitnesspal. Otherwise, it’s really easy to overdo it when it comes to PB. (Trust me, I’m an expert on that!) For months I would scoop out a massive spoonful and track it as a “tablespoon”….when in fact it was more like 3!

Here are some benefits of peanut butter:

    contains fairly high quantities of dietary fiber, amounting to about 8%, which again helps in regulating both blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

  • Proteins are present in high amounts (about 24% in weight), together with very important micro-nutrients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B3 and large amounts of beneficial minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and calcium.
  • women who consume at  least 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter each week have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones
  • higher in antioxidants than carrots & apples
  • niacin contained in peanuts may provide protection against Alzheimer’s
  • contains an antimicorbial agent that wards off potential pathogens
  • a polyphenol that helps combat oxidative stress
  • it makes EVERYTHING taste better and can be eaten alone (okay, that one is not scientific….just my personal opinion!)

One of my FAVORITE kinds of PB is Naturally More! You have to stir it really well because the oil separates since it has no additives…I keep it in the frig and it is delicious! I LOVE the crunchy and almond butter (may be my fave) too! I used to LOVE Jif, but can’t even eat it anymore because it tastes too “artificial” to me now…I don’t know how else to describe it. Naturally More nut butters only have around 5 ingredients, and it’s all natural, real stuff that I can actually pronounce. (And is less than $4 at Wal-Mart.)

Another fave is Snaclite’s Power Peanut Butter….also delicious!

SNACLite Power PB™ - SNACLITE - GNC

And my NEW fave, which just may save me because it has 85% fewer calories 45 calories in 2 TBSP)…PB2!!! It’s powdered peanut butter and you add water and stir. Sounds weird and I was skeptical too, but my Mama hooked me up with some and it seriously tastes like peanut butter cookie dough!! My new thing is to add it to steel cut oats to give it some flavor & add some protein, all while keeping the calories low! Good, good stuff…I’m LOVIN’ it, but it is expensive. You can get it at Whole Foods or on Amazon…I have put it in my Post-Workout Recovery shakes and I feel like I’m eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup. True story!

It's possible that this product could save me from my peanut butter addiction. Possible. . .

So, now that you know why peanut butter isn’t as bad as it’s often made out to be, can anyone give me any tips on how to get my addiction under control? I have always heard step 1 is admitting you have a problem….

7 comments:

J. Smith x 2 :) said...

Haha!! No help here!! I feel like I just wrote this blog......def have the same problem.

Danielle said...

I don't remember if you have it in GA, but the grocery stores here have giant grinders full of peanuts or almonds and you can literally grind your own butter right there! It's amazing - and i don't even much care for PB. Totally pure raw peantus or almonds.

Nikki said...

Girl I feel ya on the whole peanut butter addict thing! Totally guilty as charged here too! I have recently switched over to natural pb and it took me a while to get use to it but now like you I can't go back to the "fake stuff" it's just to weird of a taste to me.

Kara said...

OH WOW! I am going to get some of this! I have a peanut butter addiction!

elizabeth said...

PB is amazing! I am totally like you- I used to be addicted to Jiff but after tasting REAL pb and almond butter- I can't even stand the taste of Jiff.....so fake and 'greasy'!!! ew!!!

Kara Tate said...

I didn't realize you could 'follow people' on myfitnesspal.com! I've tried using it before, but I have a hard time being consistent with it. Following people would be great for accountability!

Unknown said...

i saw the pb2 at kroger and was going to ry it but asnt sure. i love adding honey to my pb its delish!