If you feel like it's something that you can't control yourself around, or causes binges for you, or if you're trying to limit your fat intake... then yes, stay away from it. Otherwise, I see no reason to stay away from it.
If you have control over the portion of it, then why avoid it?
If you can't control yourself, a healthy portion of peanut butter can quickly turn into a very not so healthy portion... so it would be best to avoid it then.
Portion control is a must - I highly recommend weighing, because it's way too easy to mismeasure. When I still ate PB with added sugars and other ingredients, I couldn't control my intake and ended up binging on it. Now, I usually eat 1-2tbs. natural peanut butter (100% peanuts) every single day. It's very calorie dense, but also extremely satisfying. It's helped me get my healthy fats in, curb cravings, and it it tastes absolutely delicious on apples, bananas, whole wheat bread or in savory chicken stir fries.
I have to admit that I had the same reaction to the common peanut butters (Jiff, Skippy, etc.) Those were totally addictive and I could eat and eat and eat them.
When I switched to the natural peanut butters 2 TBS was more than enough to satisfy my cravings.
I love peanut butter and eat it regularly. I have a 1T cookie scoop (like a mini ice cream scoop) that I use to portion it. I find that 1T is enough for me on a sandwich or a piece of toast.
I only eat natural peanut butter (just peanuts in the ingredient list.) It's very satisfying.
Like everyone else has said, it all depends on you.
I personally weigh out my PB, but I do eat a 1/2 a PB sandwich (i.e. one serving of PB on one folded over slice of whole grain bread) at least 2x a week as a snack. It's great for a pre-workout snack, because I get both carbs and protein from it.
I sometimes eat natural peanut butter (my Whole Foods has a peanut grinder where you just grind as much as you need fresh) but i have to admit to having a bit of an obsession with Jif Extra Crunchy. I know it has more sugar than the natural and it kinda goes against my really wanting to eat as clean as possible, but I love it so. I try to alternate the two and maybe eventually I'll go all natural ... but not just yet.
In and of itself PB is a pretty healthy snack - it's got good proteins and good healthy fats. It's just a matter of controlling your portion size.
Wow, thank you everyone boy what a great group of people.
I do okay with the peanut butter I do not over eat it. I was thinking that it was not that healthy for me. I think I will try the natural one too. Sounds like it would be a little better for me. I love peanut butter on toast.. yummy but I am worried that since I have been eating peanut butter and then I have been unable to lose more weight I guess i was just grasping at straws.
Yesss. Natural peanut butter is the way to go.
All the other kinds have tonnes of icing sugar in them.
The natural stuff is so good for you. And tasty!
Actually measure out a 2 TBP serving and see how much it is.
It isn't much
You think so? The first time I measured the 2 tbsp I was kind of amazed by how much it actually is. But, I'd been using about 2 tsps {eyeballed, I'm bad at that} for years, so I guess the comparison made all the difference.
You think so? The first time I measured the 2 tbsp I was kind of amazed by how much it actually is. But, I'd been using about 2 tsps {eyeballed, I'm bad at that} for years, so I guess the comparison made all the difference.
I think it's a lot too. I often tell myself I can have 2tbs on a piece of toast but after I weigh it, it's just too much. Of course that doesn't mean I don't just eat the rest off a spoon.
I find that eating a 1/2 a sandwich - one folded over piece of whole grain bread - makes 2T look like a WHOLE LOT. When you're putting it between two full sized pieces of bread, it looks awfully thin spread out and there's more inclination to just glop it on there really thick.
Or, at least for me it is!
But I agree that when I started measuring it out onto my 1 slice of bread, 2T suddenly became a respectable amount of PB again.
Peanut butter
I try to alternate the two and maybe eventually I'll go all natural ... but not just yet. 
