Peanut butter made the list of 5 foods you should avoid. Low fat peanut butter that is. I think peanut butter is one of those perfect foods, kind of like eggs. When I feel like I need some instant energy I reach for a few bites of peanut butter. First of all, eating it is such a wonderfully sinful experience, it is satisfying, and then the energy hits me and I good for a couple more hours. It's also a good source of protein.
Here's the reason. The oil is the healthiest part of the nut, containing most of the nutrients, so there's no advantage to taking it out. In fact, it's worse because it robs the peanut better of its health benefits. Reduced fat varieties have as many calories and more sugar than the regular.
Eating one to two ounces of nuts a day is associated with reductions in heart disease and cancer risk. In addition a recent Harvard study showed that eating nuts is associated with lower body weights.
Peanut butter has a high level of monounsaturated fats and resveratrol. Peanut butter (and peanuts) provide protein, vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, arginine, and high levels of the antioxidant p-courmaric.
And one more thing. Read the label. There are only two ingredients that should be in your peanut butter. Peanuts and salt. That is it. Nothing else. If the label indicates more, don't buy it. Processed peanut butter is not what you want. Eating whole foods, with no processing, is what will deliver the health benefits we need.
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