Carb Counters - Peanut Butter - Friend or Foe?

Okay, well I am pretty much in love with peanut butter and I'm kinda wondering does peanut butter stop weight loss or anything? Anyone know, I feel like I might be gaining from it instead of losing. If so anyone have any munchie a ok foods to snakc on between meals to make the "I need food, now!" feeling disapear

Hey, I'm not a low carber, but I definitely think peanut butter is a FRIEND! A friend that has to be measured and counted, but still very friendly :) Good source of healthy fats, proteins and flat-out delicious! Nearly 200 calories for 2tbs so a little should go a long way :)

As far as between meal snacks - what about low fat cottage cheese with a little fruit? Or a little home-made hummus with red pepper strips? I get hungry around every 2-3 hours, so I plan a healthy snack and have it ready!

If you're doing Atkins Induction, I'm afraid peanut butter is a no-no. Peanut butter should not be added until the OWL (On Going Weightloss) phase of Atkins.

A serving size of peanut butter is 2 Tbsp and most of the brands out there...including the "natural" ones, have 6 carbs & 2 grams of fiber per serving. Unfortunately, the majority of them contain sugar as well.

As for snacks...you might find this helpful:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/snack_recipes.html
Anything marked with an * is Induction friendly:)

As far as between meal snacks - what about low fat cottage cheese with a little fruit? Or a little home-made hummus with red pepper strips?

If you're on Atkins Induction, low fat cottage cheese, fruit nor hummas are allowed.
http://www.atkins.com/articles/atkins-phases/phase-one/acceptable-foods/

i don't know the exact name of it, but my mom is in love with peanut butter and she found powder pb that you mix with water that is low in points, so i would try and search!! she says she loves it!!

Thanks guys, those are some wonderful suggestions. I know I bought the Simply Jif which has less sugar and sodium. It's so addicting. I'm not really I'd say full on atkins, just watching my carbs and calories at the same time. I try only eating 20-25 grams of carbs a day. Also Im just not a huge cheese eater. I did buy some almonds tonight that have 2grams of carbs and I have to say they are amazing.

During induction, you are only allowed 4 ounces of cheese per day and you have to include those carbs in your daily count. You do not have to eat cheese. I do not eat any cheese.

You also say that you think the PB is causing you to gain weight. You're signature says you re 10 pounds from goal. You are probably just eating too much. You need to make sure you measure out the PB and not just eat to your heart's content. Make sure you are getting a natural/unsugared PB. The only ingredient on the label should be peanuts, nothing else, just peanuts. I like Trader Joe's and, most recently, Kirkland Signature from Costco. My jar of Trader Joe's unsalted, sugar-free PB says 2 Tbl = 6g of carbs, 3g of fiber. So that is a true 3g net carbs.

Almonds and macadamia nuts were Dr. Atkins two favor nuts. True nuts, which does not include peanuts BTW, are almost the perfect balance of protein, carbs and fat. I especially like raw unsalted almonds. There is less water retention when your nuts are unsalted.

I haven't been to Costco, do they sell the Kirkland or trader joe's at wal mart? I don't think I've seen any sugar free PB, the closest is the Simply Jiff which has 2g I think.

There is less water retention when your nuts are unsalted.

...okay, am I the only person whose inner twelve-year old sniggered madly at this line?

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(watches passing tumbleweeds)

I haven't been to Costco, do they sell the Kirkland or trader joe's at wal mart? I don't think I've seen any sugar free PB, the closest is the Simply Jiff which has 2g I think.
Kirkland and Trader Joe's are stores, so those are their store brands--you find them anywhere else. If I were you, I'd look for an all natural peanut butter. My chain grocery store has a store brand--I'd bet yours does, too, as it's a pretty popular item right now. The peanut butter I buy is in the same section as all the other regular peanut butters, but the ONLY ingredient is peanuts. No salt, no sugar, no oil, no crap!

Fay: You just made coffee come out of my nose. Salty nuts are bad but there is nothing worse than crunchy nuts. Once, I happened across some nuts that had a moldy smell. Occaisonally, I like a little spice on my nuts but its an acquired taste.

Enough about the "salty nuts" already!!!! I'm peeing in my pants!!! Joyce

I like to mix my nuts up so I can enjoy nuts of all shapes and sizes.

O.K. I think I got it out of my system now. Blame Fay. She started it.

tee hee

SC - if the nuts smell mouldy, back away from the nuts. Ideally, do not even open the packaging. Do not let your tongue get close enough to them to establish whether or not they are salty.

Smucker's makes a brand of "Natural Peanut butter" that is sugar free and pretty widely available. If you look at the ingredients, it should just say, peanuts and salt. It also has the layer of oil on top so you have to mix it up. I store it upside down which helps but doesn't completely eliminate this problem. Once you get used to eating PB without sugar, you start to wonder why they ever put it in there to begin with.