Peanut butter issues

So I've been a vegetarian around 2 years and I mainly eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts. I'm not much of a water fan so I usually drink a lot of soymilk. 

I weigh 105lbs and I'm 5'1.

However, lately I've been having binging problems with peanut butter.

In the morning I just crave it! & at night too! It makes it tough to eat anything else.

I try to even my peanut butter craving out by having peanut butter and apple slices or peanutbutter and a banana or oatmeal but I still end up eating half a jar a day. 

Now I know some will say to just get rid of the jar altogether but I live with my mum and brother and they like having peanut butter in the house and every time I finish a jar they wind up buying another.

I know peanut butter has good fats but I'm trying to maintain my weight and the amount of peanut butter I consume is definitely not "healthy."

Also, even while consuming that much peanut butter I still try to eat my fruits and vegetables.. but I feel sick because of all the peanut butter.

I guess what I'm looking for is some sort of creative way to stay away from it other than hiding the jars because my brother and mum keep taking it out of the cupboards and if they can't find it.. they buy another. 

You probably are not eating enough, so your brain is creating these cravings to force you to take in calories.

From what you say here, nuts and a bit of soymilk are your only source of protein. In which case, your peanut butter cravings may be your body trying to make up for the protein deficit in your diet. I'd recommend browsing some vegan food sites for alternative protein ideas. Tofu is something of a superfood, and relatively low-cal. (I take it you prefer to avoid dairy food and eggs?)

Ugh.  Same.  Boat.  Multiple dips into the peanut butter jar morning and night leave me finishing a jar every other day or so.  Sucks and makes it hard to maintain my weight.

This has been my first day in about a month not binging on it.  What I did was write down in big letters on a piece of paper "NO MORE" and taped that to the cupboard door where the peanut butter jar is.  Haha, maybe its because I'm an incredibly visual person, but it certainly helped.

Also, drink water.  Its weird, but the more water I drink, the fewer cravings I have and the happier and cleaner my body feels.

Water is great for cutting cravings. But you also need to make sure you are getting enough fat and protein.   I don't know if you are eating other items, but you need to get protein from multiple sources including legumes, pulses and whole grains.

Fats are also neccesary (fat is not evil, TOO MUCH fat is evil). Nuts are quite good, but you also want to get fat from other sources as well, ie avacados, olive oil etc..

Also make sure you are getting enough calories, and a wide variety of foods.

Peanut butter addiction is no joke! I was the same, if there was a jar in my house it would be gone in two days.. Unfortunately like yourself, I could not talk my roommate out of buying the jar.

I recommend (just incase you do indulge) that you at least buy fresh ground, no added sugar or preservatives.

However.. Read up on peanut butter addiction and the way that it acts similarly as a drug to some but not to others. It seems like will power may not be a deciding factor in this battle. (if I can find the article I'm thinking of I'll attach it shortly). Do drink a lot of water all day, try I avoid caffeine (as this tended to always drop me off to huge cravings late in the day) and beg your family to abstain from the stuff. Sure sure, good data and what not, but seriously it took me 6 years fighting this thing before I just added a clause to those I lease my home to reading: I will not store or bring peanut butter into the home.

Good luck!

Typo: good FATS, not data

...wait is peanut butter addiction a real thing? Because its taken me a lot of restraint to not eat it straight out of the jar and to just stick to my one sandwich a day.

Hello! I too LOVE peanut butter! This craving your having, though, sounds like a result of not getting enough protein, though you love it! What does CC say about your protein intake? Try to find other methods of protein intake, and make sure you're getting the right Am. Of calories/day. If the problem is that you can be a binge eater, try to slower ween yourself off each day. Measure the amount you're eating, and decide what you want to decrease by; 2 Tablespoons a day is a good goal. And remember to be sure you're enjoying it! Look forward to your treat everyday, and eat slowly! Best of Luck and warmest regards!

Peanut butter addicts: does your peanut butter have sugar in it? It suddenly occurs to me that it might be the sugar that you're addicted to.

Have you tried PB2? lower fat content and lower in calorie. PLUS you have to work a little to enjoy it (you have to mix it with water). So it might deter your craving a bit.

Original Post by snailrind:

Peanut butter addicts: does your peanut butter have sugar in it? It suddenly occurs to me that it might be the sugar that you're addicted to.

It is definately not the sugar (for me) I actually prefer all natural, nothing added chunky- yes and I do not buy it and have it in house because for years- even when I was competing- and before- a certified peanut butter addict. Soooo I have been trying very hard to work on it. I get Walden Farms Calorie free -new one cinnamon raisin is completely awesome, and if you have tried the origional and liked it or not the newer one(s) are awesome.!! Peanut Wonder and Better than Peanuts has 100 cals 2 tbs. more protein- Also try Fitnutz just like  PB2 but in a sugar free version. There are single serving packets at some organic food stores. I tried cashew butter fresh and am hooked. I plan on going to WholeFoods, getting the smallest container and having 2 or 3 servings only to see how lng and if I can ration it.

I used to have the same problem!

PB seems to be the downfall for a lot of people trying to lose weight. I've always loved it, and it's one of the few nostalgic foods I still eat after going whole foods vegan (I grew up on junk :p ). 

Luckily for me, I've found that when I eat too much PB, I get gastrointestinal issues if ya catch my drift. So I have a good reason for holding back!

Try this: Blend a couple apples, a banana, and 2-3 T pb, cinnamon, and maybe some plant milk (vanilllllaaaa) in the food processor or blender. 3T can be a lot of PB and make this meal high cal/high fat, but it could help crave the pb cravings. 

use fruit instead of bread/crackers, like apple slices to make it healthier and cut down cals.

Good luck with dealing with this. I remember all of the times I'd buy a jar of PB and two days later, it'd be gone and I'd wonder how the heck I ate the whole thing so quickly.... Or the time I ate a bag of choco chips with 2/3 a jar of PB >.<'

Edit: As far as protein goes: Veggies are high in protein. I don't know how you et exactly, but if you're diet is mostly fruits, vegs, nuts, and seeds, it seems like you'd be eating TONS of veggies and fruits :)

So, make sure you're eating balanced. Have a big (BIG) salad for dinner after a day of eating fruit, protein should take care of its self.

What vegetable is high in protein?  They all have a gram or a couple of grams, but I wouldn't call that high, especially considering the bioavailability of vegetable protein.

Soymilk has a decent amount of protein.  Maybe you need more fat.  Try avocados.

 

since youre not vegan, you can consume some animal products for your protein sources. as a vegan i crave peanut butter after workouts because it is one of my only sources of proteins. you must be lacking in it. i suggest eating a bigger breakfast with both complex carbs, and protein. (like a whole wheat bagel with blackerry jam and ALMOND butter[just try it] yum!) or try to make smoothies with both protein powder and peanut butter. youll be fuller and crave different foods

Original Post by smashley23:

What vegetable is high in protein?  They all have a gram or a couple of grams, but I wouldn't call that high, especially considering the bioavailability of vegetable protein.

Soymilk has a decent amount of protein.  Maybe you need more fat.  Try avocados.

 

Spinach is 30% protein, broccoli is 16.5%, red lettuce is over 30%, basil is 40%, etc. 

Yes, these foods are low-calorie, but that just means they are consumed in high-quantities. 

Oh my goodness i love peanut butter so much i have this problem too

Oh my gosh this is my weakness. >.> thought I was the only one dealing with the addiction, kinda my little secret. I usually avoid even looking at it in the supermarket but last week I couldn't resist and I caved . :( I practically INHALE the stuff. My preferred method is digging in with a giant spoon. Seriously I wake up and the first thing I think of is that jar in my fridge. It's killing me!!! next shopping trip I will def keep far from it. So much easier when it's not even in the house. Thats really the only thing that helps me.

Hi, have you tried buying PB2? It is powder peanut butter that you mix with water and it is very low in fat with the same flavor as natural PB. You can add it shakes, non-fat ice cream, smash it with some bananas... Look for it in health stores or amazon.

Original Post by Dvk422:

Hi, have you tried buying PB2? It is powder peanut butter that you mix with water and it is very low in fat with the same flavor as natural PB. You can add it shakes, non-fat ice cream, smash it with some bananas... Look for it in health stores or amazon.

There is another version called FitNutz that comes as sugar free powdered peanut butter in smooth AND crunchy!! Plus other styles.

http://fitnutzbutter.com/

Just watch what u eat peanut butter is a childhood favorite of mine I work out but I go through a jar in three day give or take good luck eat smart and work out watch the scale