Lil Sweetie
- Dec 27, 2018

Surround Yourself With Peanut Butter, Not Negativity.

"Peanut Butter Is The Glue That Holds My Life Together"

I spread peanut butter as thick as I would love. I love all types of peanut butters from crunchy to smooth, organic, natural, to the plan ole' jar of Skippy my mom use to buy. During contest prep peanut butter was "off-limits." It was on the DO NOT EAT list for several reasons, it was high in calories/fats/sugars, and I could not control my consumption. Peanut butter often times gets a bad rep for its caloric counts.

Personally, peanut butter is the best tasting spread out there. It's salty, sweet, smooth, crunchy, good on almost anything, and sooooo satisfying. All I wanted during prep was peanut butter. Needless to say the first thing I had after my bikini competition was a peanut butter and banana toast for an entire week.

Since then I've learned of some peanut butter alternatives that I can have in moderation. I've done lots of research and I've also tried a lot of nut butters. I'm sorry folks but almond butter can NOT be compared to peanut butter. Here are some health benefits of peanut butter when consumed in moderation (that would be 1-2 tablespoons or LESS). I know imagine LESS than that, but it's possible and you have to decide how important your goals are.

Health Benefits of Peanut Butter

Great Source of Protein
Great for building and repairing muscles.
Keeps you feeling fuller longer.
Being fuller longer will help cravings, and help with weight loss.
Healthy Fats and Heart Health
High quality peanut butter can contain more unsaturated fat which is the good kind of fat. These fats (with moderation) can improve hearth health.
These same healthy fats can also help with higher energy levels.
Healthy fats can help prevents type II diabetes
Potassium
Peanut butter is an excellent source of potassium and can help counter balance the sodium you consume.
FIBER!!!
Help supplement your fiber intake with peanut butter!
Antioxidants & Magnesium
Peanut butters that contain antioxidants and magnesium will not only help build stronger bones but will also help boost your immunity system.
Beta-Sitosterol
This plant sterol can help normalize high cortisol levels in endurance athletes and help balance hormones during stress.

What To Look For In A Peanut Butter

Sodium- higher sodium might mask the peanut butter flavor and you want to look for the lowest amounts of sodium (most organic ones will have less).
Sugar- Natural peanut butters will have almost half as much sugar as the more commercialized Jiff and Skippy jar. Try to keep the sugars as low as possible especially if you are going to be using the peanut butter with something else (say jelly for an example, that will add even MORE sugar to your snack/meal).
All Natural- look for ingredients in PB that have more peanuts and healthy fats added. Natural peanut butter usually have peanuts as main ingredient and might not contain as much artificial ingredients to make it taste better.
Stay away from LOW FAT peanut butters. Often times the lower the fat the more sugar or carbohydrates or both are in the product (this goes for all of the low-fat things you see). Take out some of the fat the product might not taste as good or have as much of the same texture and therefore added sugars and other things can be added to mask the flavor.
Flavored PB's will most likely contain more sugar and carbohydrates.

Trust me, some of the healthier versions might be more expensive but look for sales. If you can't afford a healthier option or can't find one just control you peanut butter consumption and measure out your servings. It won't hurt you as long as you know what you are eating. Peanut butter is fine in moderation.

My Go To Ways of Using Peanut Butter