Peanut butter spread is a food that many of us seem to place in the ‘cheat’ food category. I don’t know why, because it’s really beneficial to your health, tastes like heaven, and could possibly help you slim down. It makes the perfect pre- or post-workout snack and keeps you satiated for longer periods.
The last thing you want to become is a ‘Silly Susan’ who is trying to lose weight by cutting out everything that you love about food. That means all the really tasty kinds like chocolate, bread, and peanut butter. As you might already know, cutting out food never really works, and it makes your body goals a lot less sustainable.
Guess what? You don’t have to feel deprived when losing weight and can eat the things you like the most.
Peanut Butter Won’t Make You Fat
This delicious spread is abundant in mono-saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These help you feel satiated for much longer than simple or refined carbohydrates and sugars. In addition, they also help raise the good cholesterol in your body. Peanut butter is also rich in Vitamins E and K, which are ideal for relieving premenstrual symptoms.
I think I enjoy it so much because it not only tastes amazing, but it keeps me full and satisfied. It is the healthy fats in the butter that make it filling – but it has also got to do with its high protein content. Protein is an exceptionally filling macronutrient. In fact, research says that peanut butter contains more protein than nuts. Just two tablespoons contain about 8 grams. So, if you’re looking for a powerful energy and stamina boost, then have a spoonful!
Peanut butter spread is especially helpful for satiating hunger after your workout. You can pair it with some sliced apples, chopped frozen bananas, or spread it on whole-wheat toast. The spread is delightfully healthy, but I must warn you that this doesn’t mean you should go and devour an entire jar in one sitting.
Peanut butter is quite a calorie-dense – making it the perfect energy-fuelling post-recovery snack! However, the average serving size contains roughly 200 calories. So if you’re looking to lose weight or manage it, then remember to account for it in your daily energy count. But, if you’re like me – always busy and on=the-go. You’re probably not eating enough calories. So, having that extra energy boost can really help your body maintain a balance.
Generally, the recommendation is to stick with two tablespoons or fewer per day, which is roughly the size of a ping pong ball.
Eat It! Fats Are Healthy For You
Unless you are allergic to peanuts, then there’s really no reason you can’t eat them. I also know how badly you want a spoonful right now!
Seriously though, the peanut butter spread contains some vital healthy fats that our bodies need to function optimally. It contains three main types of fat: saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats. Most foods with fat have both saturated and unsaturated fat, but contain a lot more of one kind than another. Researchers discovered that unsaturated fats are considered heart-healthy. However, saturated fats and trans fats have been found to be less so. So, this is a bonus because most of the fat (about 81 percent) found in peanut butter is unsaturated fat.
What Are The Different Fats?
- Saturated Fat
This kind is mostly found in food that has been made with lots of butter like cakes, muffins, animal products like milk, cheese, and meat. Experts have documented diets that are high in saturated fats and almost all of them lead to high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems.
- Trans Fat
This is probably the worst kind, and I’d recommend keeping away from it as best you can. This is the fat that has been hardened by a process called ‘hydrogenation’ which increases the shelf life of the fat. Trans fats are most frequently present in processed foods, like certain chips, crackers, cookies, and more. Eat as little trans fat as possible, because it is a major contributor to high cholesterol.
- Unsaturated fat
You will mainly find these fats in oils and plants. These are the better kinds of fats and might help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. And you guessed it, peanut butter spread is known to be a good source of unsaturated fat.
You Should Eat Peanut Butter Spread
The delicious spread contains healthy fats and lots of satiating protein. But, it also has a lot of potassium, magnesium, and other important minerals and vitamins that keep your body strong. Why wouldn’t you love spreading peanut butter on your toast, blending it into your morning smoothie, pairing it with fruit, and mixing it into your oatmeal?
You can go crazy! But just like I said, you can’t have too much of it. That goes for anything in life I think. You need to be conscious of how much you’re eating. Are you asking why? Well, it’s basically a case of healthy fats versus calories. You don’t want to have too much or too little of either.
Just be careful when you choose which butter you’re going to buy. There are so many brands, but they’re not all equally good for you.
There are some peanut butter brands that contain hydrogenated fat. added sugar and preservatives. So if you’re trying to lose weight and eat clean – that would be counterproductive. Rather, choose a natural peanut butter that is made with peanuts only and a little salt. Start reading the nutritional labels on the back of the packaging! Be your own food detective.
Stay clear of brands that contain molasses, hydrogenated oils, added sugars, or things you can’t pronounce. Many natural peanut butter spread brands are sold in refrigerators. This is because they don’t contain the same artificial preservatives or shelf-stabilizers as alternatives. Better yet, buy some peanuts and make your own! You really don’t get more natural than that. And it’ll probably taste a lot nicer.
Therefore, if you think that peanut butter will make you fat then you are wrong. Peanuts themselves will not do this. Ground-up in a paste or not, this does not make them more or less fattening. However. you do want to stay away from unnatural, processed peanut butter with lots of added sugar or ‘fillers.’ Lastly, be sure to eat it mindfully and not all at once.
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