Peanut Butter Overload

I get on these "kicks" if you will, where I rediscover something that I love. This week it has been Peanut Butter. I have always liked peanut butter but this week it has become a LOVE. I hate to admit it but I overdosed on it the last two days until I was sick. I have had to recommit myself to only eating small amounts and remembering that when we "mess" up on eating healthy there is always tomorrow to try again. I am working on not being angry at myself when these days occur but only to reevaluate why it happened and what I'm going to do to prevent it again. These are keys in changing our eating habits. There will be times when we can't eat healthy or don't make the choice but there is always tommorrow. So I got on the internet to read about Peanut Butter. Is it good for us or not? I found many articles but this summed it up:

Peanut butter is definitely a 'fitness-friendly' food. Despite its high fat content most of which is the 'healthy' kind - recent studies show that both peanuts and peanut butter are good for your heart. And, when used probably as part of a healthy eating plan, they're also very effective weight loss tools.


Over 80% of the fat in peanuts is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, both of which lower blood cholesterol levels. A Purdue University study showed that people who ate 500 calories worth of peanuts per day (about half a cup) for 8 weeks experienced a significant drop in triglyceride levels (a heart disease risk factor) while blood levels of folate, magnesium, and soluble fiber - all important for heart health - significantly increased!

Be careful of amount consummed. 2 TBSP is a serving and is enough for one day. It does have high calorie and fat intake so a little bit goes a long ways. Anything in moderation is good for you. Strive to buy the natural kind of Peanut Butter such as Adams, typically it is pure peanuts without the preservatives and added oil.

Here are some of my favorit snacks with Peanut Butter:
Celery Sticks------Filled with Peanut Butter and topped with a few almonds
Skim milk----1 TBSP Peanut Buttter----1/2 Bannana with ice cubes in the blender
Whole Wheat Toast-----Peanut Butter melted (Peanut Butter melted spreads further)
Peanut Butter-------Rice krispies added----topped with a few chocolate chips