I don't eat peanut butter, is it important?

I am one of those people who don't add peanut butter to their diet. is it important to give it a try? I eat avocado, flaxseed and other heathy fats but not peanut butter. do I have to ? what is in there that is so important? thanks:)))

I wouldn't think you have to ... I mean, there are folks out there with allergies who can't touch the stuff or anything that has even come in contact with a peanut.  I think the reason peanut butter gets discussed so much on this site is because it is VERY calorie dense, and high in fat.  This concerns a lot of people who love PB, and they just need to be reassured that the fat in PB is GOOD fat, and that you get a lot of nutrition (it is a great non-meat protein source, important for vegetarians) in exchange for the calories (provided you don't go overboard and eat a cup of the stuff!!)

But I don't think you are going to suffer any ill effects from NOT eating it.

There are many beneficial aspects of peanut butter but if you do not like it, then you do not have to eat it.  You can get your nutrients from a variety of other foods.

Thanks guys. I will not touch it then since I can't control my portions these days.

Original Post by safina1:

Thanks guys. I will not touch it then since I can't control my portions these days.

 I suggest weighing out 32g of PB with a food scale. Also eat it with baby carrots or something. You'd be amazed how far 2 tbsp of PB can go.

Well, David, 2 Tbsp of peanut butter can go so far as an entire jar! And I don't even particularly like peanut butter. But the high fat content of it can trigger a binge for me. So I totally relate to what Safina is saying.

So, do I have to add it to my healthy food program? Absolutely not!

I don't touch PB ever...there is a ton of hydrogenated oil and sugar in it which is so bad for you...Maybe it is diff with the stuff you grind yourself, haven't looked into that...good luck:)

I cant even tell you the last time I had peanut  butter. I love the stuff and Im able to eat 1/2 the damn jar...   I stay away because I cant control myself.

Original Post by smiea:

I don't touch PB ever...there is a ton of hydrogenated oil and sugar in it which is so bad for you...Maybe it is diff with the stuff you grind yourself, haven't looked into that...good luck:)

 They sell natural peanut butter which only has peanuts and salt. They even make no salt versions.

I'V never bothered with peanut butter, i dont see why you should. a balanced diet will give you all the good fats/protein you need without resorting to eating that.

Original Post by bunny1986:

I'V never bothered with peanut butter, i dont see why you should. a balanced diet will give you all the good fats/protein you need without resorting to eating that.

 How many calories a day do you eat? How much fat?

For some people, stuff like peanut butter is the only way they're going to eat enough.

More importantly, peanut butter tastes amazing. 

Thanks everyone:)

David: I HEAR it is amazing and that is the same reason I will not give it a try.

I agree it is an option for healthy fat but not for me.

Not everyone has to eat Peanut butter to get good fats in their diet

just sayin

Original Post by stlgirl:

Not everyone has to eat Peanut butter to get good fats in their diet

just sayin

 True.

But to say peanut butter is a pointless food is a stretch. 

I dont think PB is pointless, Im not sure who said that, but I LOVE PB, which is why I DONT eat it

roughly 1600 and 20g of fat, but i can get enough even if i eat 1300 a day.
I always make good food chocies and im confident i dont need to resort to peanut butter to get what i need lol.
If it works for others, good for them but i can think of many other ways to get the poly/mono-unsaturated fats and the protein with more vitamins thrown in for less calories than PB. Is all im saying. Im not saying its wrong to get it from PB.

Youre definitely fine without peanut butter.

IMO, its overrated anyways ;)

I like it too... don't get me wrong. I was going to buy a jar this past weekend, and decided against it at the checkout. There are a lot of other ways I could spend 100 calories that would taste better and just as healthy/healthier. There isn't even THAT much protein in it ... as it seems to be one of the main selling points.

Id rather stick with my flax ;) Guess I'M just more of a flax person haha.

David: I don't think it is pointless food. Maybe I will give it a try when I reach my weight goal :) It is really one of those healthy food but for people who have control over their portions. I fear to buy food that might lead to a binge. Did you get my point?

I just bought some all natural peanut butter today actually at my lunch. It's Smart Balance  Omega natural PB. 1000mg of Omega 3's and no hydrogenated oil, no trans fat, no refined sugar and the omega 3's.  Only ingredients are peanutes, natural oil (flaxseed and palm fruit oil) salt, and molasses. Only 110mg of sodium and only 1g of sugar. I haven't tried it yet but those are some pretty damn good numbers for PB.

Original Post by krismasself:

But the high fat content of it can trigger a binge for me. So I totally relate to what Safina is saying.

 That's interesting. I do like peanut butter but naturally can't eat much. It has the opposite effect on me as it does you. Sometimes my fat intake gets too low and I get too hungry. I'll eat things like one tablespoon of peanut butter to quell a severe hunger pang. It seems to work. I'm sure no one needs peanut butter though. But it doesn't seem all that bad either. cc says it's good points are:

• No cholesterol
• High in niacin

It gets a grade of B-.

Supermarket peanut butter is chock full of trans fats, so you're better of without it. It's better to just munch on roasted peanuts than to eat peanut butter, which has ADDED fat AND sugar.

Unless you seek out the natural peanut butters which are much more healthful...