Peanut Butter, Friend or Foe

[alinnell]

I love peanut butter. I always have a jar in the pantry. When I'm feeling particularly hungry and nothing seems to sound good, a spoonful of PB is quite satisfying. But I can't lick the spoon--as soon as my dog smells it, he's there for some so I let him lick the spoon (that also saves me from dipping back into the jar-LOL).

[WhitePicketFences]

I too only started eating it during weight loss, for protein and health ... eventually became addicted and came to consider it a thing with which to be careful!

Still, I eat 1 tbsp of trader joe's crunchy unsalted almost every day, with a banana (1/2 my lunch). The thing about this, though, is that well, I guess I need more tbsp measurements because I keep one in my bag of flaxseed that I also scoop every day and one for cooking. So I usually just round a spoon with PB instead of measure. This works out but is easy to 'heap,' you know, in that accidentally-on-purpose way of getting more.

I'm comfortable with this generally, but one of the first things I do at a time like right now -- when I want to lose a few, I'm used to being 136-138 lbs -- is carefully measure the PB after all. Ditto the olive oil; I usually play outright fast & loose with that. For some reason I do this with some things and not others. Like I would never not measure pasta. It's really about how I did it during my loosing period.

As for the fat, I just considered it another bonus. At some point long ago I actually realized that I didn't get much fat at all, and mono-fat being the good kind and all.

[RedPanda]

Originally Posted by joyfulloser

I don't really like peanuts (more of a cashew person myself), but I just wanted to say, "Who says FAT is bad?" Remember...anything done is excess is bad...but any food is just fine if eaten in moderation. I say...go ahead, enjoy your nutter butter!

What she said. I hate peanuts with a passion, but love cashew butter. A tablespoon - well, a rounded tablespoon - spread on apple wedges makes a filling afternoon snack.

And a tablespoon of raw macadamia butter stirred into your oatmeal makes a yummy, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast.

I consider nuts and nut butters as dietary fat, and fats are important for satiety.

[BakingChick]

I am so glad to see everyone who likes peanutbutter! woo hoo!! haha. I just have to have some peanut butter every day. If I say no, I just crave it that much more. My go to is peanut butter with a banana. I figure it with a banana is healthier than on bread. But I actually prefer the taste of peanut butter when it's melted, so pb on my homemade wheat bread or bagels have really been calling my name lately. I used to think it was a trigger for me, but it's not really. It's a lot more satisfying and fills me up a lot more than some other trigger foods. i.e. dried cereal.
So good, seeing how many of you gals have bp on a daily basis makes me feel better about my need for some creamy peanut butter

[Karen925]

I eat Maranatha almond butter at least twice per week, 32 grams/ 180 cal, with cottage cheese and 70 grams of mixed berries. If I need to, I will trim it back to 16 grams for 90 cal. I eat almost anything- in a portion that is good for me.

Personally, if it is a trigger for mental obsession, does not even have to lead to eating, it just is not worth the fight. Fitting into a cute dress I bought 20 yrs ago in Hawaii is much more fun. YMMV.

[Paloma]

Originally Posted by boatingmommy

Ladies, I have been turned on to PB2 from Bell plantation (you can order online)...it's powdered peanut butter with the oils removed to make it very much less fattening. I can have two table spoons per serving for 2 ww points. 2 tsp. has 45 cal., total fat 1.5g, carb 5g, sugar 1g, and protein 5g. You just mix it 2 tbsp of powder with 1 tbsp of water. It had a hard time getting it a few times because they are a small company and I was on a wait list...but it is pretty marvelous stuff!

I LOVE pb2! I get it at my local Hyvee. I see you're in the Midwest so you may try there. If there is one in you're area anyway, my sister also lives on the Illinois side of St. Louis and they don't have any Hyvees. I think I might have seen it at Schnucks too...

[saef]

Another fan of Trader Joe's Crunch Unsalted. I eat it almost strictly for breakfast, mixing some in oatmeal or spreading it on homemade bread or a muffin.

Maybe because it has no sweetener or salt in it, or maybe because I eat it so frequently & can count on it being there, I don't crave it inordinately. I can coexist just fine with keeping two or three spare jars around.

(I sound like a hoarder, but I have several jars on hand at one time because I stock up, as I don't go to Trader Joe's all that frequently. It's not convenient to my usual round of errands, but it's practically across the street from the salon where my hairdresser Patrick works, so I go & get their peanut butter and almond butter & some other TJ's products that I like after my haircuts & highlights & what-have-you.)

Knowing myself, I'm sure if my brand had that bewitching blend of fat-sweet-salt, I'd be counting the hours till my next spoonful.

[fruitlady]

I can't live without the stuff! If I'm hungry for it, I'll put some dry roasted, unsalted peanuts in the food processer and whip them up til smooth. I make one or two servings at a time so I don't eat too much & it tastes better.

[Woodland]

I love it, but need to measure it carefully. I like to put it on a tortilla and roll it up. Fast, fairly inexpensive, filling !

[philana]

I bought almondbutter the other day, OMG! It is SO incredibly tasty.
And when I was just cleaning out my cabins I found a batch of peanuts that is a bit old, so not so tasty anymore. I am so gonna make my own peanutbutter tomorrow, wel actually a mix.. because I also have some old almonds that I haven't known what to do with for ages (I don't eat them out of hand).

I am all excited! Hehe.

[fitmom]

I've loved it since childhood. I spread some on a whole wheat english muffin sometimes for breakfast. My kids love it too so it's always in my house.