peanut butter?????????

does anyone actually know weither peanut butter is a good diet food or not, or is it really fattening? i've been wondering that cause i eat over the course of my day usually the equivalent of 2Tbsps. i wonder do u guys think i sould cut back even though my calories arn't that high anyways???

Peanut butter is very high in protein, so when eaten in moderation it is good for you. You just want to make sure you have a good balance of fat, protein, and carbs.

Most brands are about 190 cals for two tblspns and that is fairly high, but it also provides a lot of good things like protein. I eat it a couple times a week especially if my cals are low and I need to boost them. I love peanut butter! If you are balancing you other numbers well, I would think it is a good addition to your diet once and awhile.

I have been eating to different types, low fat which has 80cals/Tbsp and natural with nothing other than peanuts and thats 90cals/Tbsp, im just worried that they may defeat my dieting and lower calorie intake

great source of protien - horrible source of sugars:)  I totally agree with Sparkles - in moderation it's fine. If you're looking for protien - try fish/ eggs / lean meats / nuts (almonds - etc) / even Oatmeal is a good protien source. 

You need to use Natural Peanut butter if you want to make it a healthy choice.  The thing with processed peanut butter, including reduced fat peanut butter is that it is made creamier and smoother by adding hydroginated oils... that's comparible to lard, except it is chemically made and usually from a non animal fat oil, such as vegatable oil.  The hydroginated part is VERY destructive to arteries and encourages BAD cholesteral to stay in our blood longer.  Also, most  processed peanut butters have a LOT of added sugar to recreate the peanut taste that has been diluted by bland flavorless GREASE (hydroginated oil) used to make it creamier.  So, if you want to eat peanut butter in small amounts, be aware of the pluses and the minuses. 

Natural peanut butter also has a lot of fat from oils, but this is a fat that is produced by the peanut itself and many people who use this type of peanut butter refridgerate it to make it a thicker consistency....  the taste is usually very peanuty, but it has a course texture that may take some getting used to.

It depends on how much of it you eat.  It's high in fat and protein.  If you read the label you'll see how big a serving is (2 tablespoons) and the calories (about 170).  All you have to do is measure it so you aren't getting too much and work it into your daily calories.

Peanut butter is good for you.  I agree with rubiwanda that you should make sure it has no additives.  I like Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter because it only has one ingredient - peanuts!

Claire

I have looked and cannot find any peanut butter less than 190 cals for two tblspns, even the low fat ones. Where is everyone finding lower cal pnt bttr? Please share the brand.

i found one called peanut wonder. and i love it, its 100 cals per 2tblspns. www.peanutwonder.com.

i might actually try some peanut butter, i have been reading so much about it!

I'm with rubiwanda.  Natural peanut butter, all the way!  Although I do get the salted kind.  I find that, if it's refrigerated and served with something sweet, like jam (found some that's only 50 cals for a tablespoon, yay!) it tastes just fine.  I kept reading about those nasty trans fats that show up with hydrogenated oils, that's what convinced me to switch.  Well, that and only being able to find a Trader Joe's (no "normal" peanut butter in sight!) when I was craving PB&J.

It's a good source of protien, fiber and the good kinds of fats.

I am a fan of this kind...

http://www.betternpeanutbutter.com/

I get the low sodium kind...here are the nutritional facts

Low Sodium Serving Size:  2 Tbsp. (32g) Servings:  about 14 Calories: 100 Fat Calories: 20 Total Fat: 2.5 g - 4%DV* Saturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 0g Sodium 95mg - 4%DV* Total Carb. 13g - 4%DV* Fiber 0g Sugars 2g Protein 4g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 8% Calcium 4% Iron 2%

and the ingredients...

Peanuts (as de-fatted peanut flour and natural peanut butter), tapioca syrup, pure water, dehydrated cane juice, rice syrup, vegetable glycerin, soy flour, salt, tapioca starch, natural flavors, paprika & annatto, calcium carbonate, lecithin, vitamins e & c (antioxidants).

Some health food stores will make fresh peanut butter right there in the store.  You pick the amount you want, they throw the roasted nuts in the special blender and whizzzzzz up a fresh batch for you!  It's great because you can buy a very small amount to avoid temptation.

Once you get it home, you can add a bit of salt and some sugar if you don't like the taste of no-salt no-sugar peanut butter.  Better yet, add honey or maple syrup or stevia (yay, no calories!) instead of the sugar.

Of course there's still fat and calories, but it's a nice natural source of protein if you eat it in moderation.

Aha! tiamat just posted another reason to go to Trader Joe's!

Funny this came up today. There's an article in today's L.A. Times Business section about "Peanut Milk." The guy that manufactures it claims it's good for what ails you, from gum disease to eye infections. Go figure.

I've heard that whipped peanut butter is the best type for you. It usually has far fewer calories. Check it out at your grocery store.

I buy Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter in the supermarket or at Whole Foods.  It's actually available from Amazon.com.

Here's a website with lots of info and a list of good brands http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N242.html

I ditto the natural peanut butter.

Go with just natural peanuts, why add all the chemicals? So easy to kind now too, Smuckers Natural, Maranatha, and Laura Schudders (sp) are always on my grocery shelf. Both in creamy and chunky.

People keep saying that it is high in protein - i guess it depends on the brand, mine only had one gram per tablespoon. The way i see it, you can have 3 tablespoons of light cream cheese for the same calories as one tbsp of peanut butter.... cream cheese all the way! (plus 3 tbsp of cream cheese have 3 grams of protein!