Peanut Butter is a Good Source of....Protein??

Denjo060

My older brother used to eat spoonfuls of it, and then scream at me. His breath was awful. I love peanut butter, but still shudder a bit when I get the first whiff out of the jar.

HAHAHAHAHAH

Zumbagurl64

great post and thanks! i've just posted yesterday about needing more protein in my diet but agree peanut butter is so high in calories, and when I start, I wanna eat 1/2 the jar! lol Trying to find other choices..... the chobani greek yogurt was one of the suggestions, 14 g protein and about 140 calores.... I also drink protein shakes 2/day....for now...

auroranflash

And in my opinion (and that of every medical opinion I've ever read) people here think they need far more protein than they actually do.

I have to disagree and say the opposite - MFP sets protein waaaay too low. I personally try to get between 100g and 150g a day (the last number being 1g per body weight), I feel better for it, fuller, and have lost more weight. It's not that I "cut" carbs, I just make protein the focus and let everything else fall where it may.

Thanks for the post, Rock.

UponThisRock

Or you can use PB2:

PB2: Powdered Peanut Butter
Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, sugar and salt.
Serving size: 2 Tablespoons (12 grams)
Servings per container: 15
Calories: 45
Calories from fat: 13

Value and % Daily Value*

Total fat 1.5 g 3%
Saturated fat 0 g 0%
Trans fat < 0.01 g
Cholesterol < 0.01 mg 0%
Sodium 94 mg 4%
Total carbohydrate 5 g 2%
Dietary fiber 2 g 8%
Sugars 1 g
Protein 5 g
Vitamin A < 1%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium <1%
Iron 0%

I'll stick to the real stuff

downsizinghoss

I am a second vote for PB2. It isn't fake, they just take peanuts and basically squeeze the oil out of them. You just reconstitute it with water and it tastes the same to me.

1/4 the calories, but with all the good stuff still there.

MargotAllen

We vegetarians have to get our protein wherever we can get it. I don't eat tuna or any other meat...

UponThisRock

Agreed. It might be better termed a "convenient" source of protein or a "quick" source of protein.

no, it wouldn't

Sweet_Potato

Not everyone eats meat. For a vegetarian, peanut butter is a good source of protein.

And in my opinion (and that of every medical opinion I've ever read) people here think they need far more protein than they actually do.

Thank you! I'm not a vegetarian, but it drives me crazy when people criticize vegetarians and vegans for not consuming 1,000 grams of protein every day. Our bodies really don't need very much. Also, fat is not bad! Especially the fat that comes from nuts.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Yes, I totally and throughly agree with your ramblings. I eat very little peanut butter, but I do often suggest it to people who are looking for healthy ways to get their calorie consumption up because while it is high in calories the protein in it and the fatty acids are a great addition to a diet without eating the dreaded ice cream, wine, and chocolate (which is my preferable way of getting my caloric intake up at the end of the day).

that being said, I've always interpreted it to mean that it is a great source of protein in a comparative way, I mean hell a granola bar with 210 calories is marked as a protein bar by companies these days if it has over what 5 grams of protein? With so much of our diet filled with refined and processed foods (to the point that people actually get excited over the fact that their white bread must be "enriched"), 8 grams of protein is still 8 grams of protein. I'd rather have 2 tablespoons of peanut butter slowly licked off a spoon than shove 2 pieces of my bread in my pie hole. Besides, my husband would rather watch me slowly lick 2 tablespoons of peanut butter off (a spoon) than shove 2 pieces of bread in my pie hole.

UponThisRock

Nope, but it's good.

no argument here

FoodieGal09

I am guilty of snacking on nuts to get my protein. Pistachios are my go to and the hit on my fat intake is worth it. Plus I only eat them on my otherwise low fat days, so it balances out.

As much as I love PB, the calories just aren't worth it. My SO will be relieved- he despises PB!

frugalmomsrock

All I'm saying is that if you try taking my peanut butter from me, I will use every single muscle I've spent time building for to kick your *kitten*. For reals. I eat my peanut butter every day--sticking to my 1800-2500 calorie days (depending on my exercise), and you can't take it. Period. Excellent source of protein or not, it has some, and I don't care about the fat.

SabrinaR10

Now, if they say, "but I'm vegan, how do I get protein with no animal products?" The proper answer to that would be, "I don't know, the same way you ice skate uphill, I suppose."

Lol that's funny!

I love peanut butter, I actually just finished eating some! But in all seriousness... I think what people mean (as far as adding peanut butter as a good source of protein) is that instead of eating that awful snack that is loaded with sugar, bad fat and loads of calories, peanut is a relatively good source of protein. AND it tastes amazingggggg! Anyway, I am 'pro-peanut butter' so I will fight for it any day

DB_1106

I think peanut butter is one of the best ways to reach your calorie intake if you are way behind and need to hit your macros. 210 calories per 2 tbsp, healthier fats and some protein.

I am not saying it is the most healthy thing to eat, but you could do far worse. More people should eat natural peanut butter and peanuts instead of the processed lunch meats and fast food that is loaded with carcinogens, nitrates, and sodium.

bluefox9er

I totally agree..as a vegetarian, I am constantly being told what a great source peanut butter is for protein and nuts, too..but on a calorie controlled diet is is pretty much suicide.

22g of protein is NOT a good trade off for 588 calories.

nasty whey protein ''shakes'' it is, then...approx 20 g protein for 110 calories.

beckajw

Of course peanut butter has healthy fat as well as protein, so that's something to consider.

Likewise, egg whites, with their low calorie, high protein aren't all that effective, because you really need the yoke in order to properly absorb the white protein.

Ladyiianae

My older brother used to eat spoonfuls of it, and then scream at me. His breath was awful. I love peanut butter, but still shudder a bit when I get the first whiff out of the jar.

LOL, this actually made me laugh out loud at work here!

rml_16

Yeah, it's really just when you don't have that many options. Peanut butter is quick unlike lentils and quinoa. And without meat, meat, meat, vegans and vegetarians don't really have the same calorie issues. Vegetables just aren't calorie dense. so there's lots of room for fatty fatty peanut butter if it means a little protein.

Exactly.

To a meat eater, compared to a chicken breast or piece of steak, PB isn't a great source or protein. But I will say that a 90-calorie tablespoon of it on a slice of whole wheat toast at 6 a.m. will keep me until lunch at 1, even if I work out in between. So, to say you have to eat a lot for it to be filling it bubkus (sp?).

egawne14

Thanks for this posting.. it makes it quite clear. Although I love peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter.. I'm now heartbroken. I had 2 tbsps lastnight thinking it was a "Dessert" ..

wellbert

Beans and Tofu for sure -- you have to eat more Tofu to up the protein compared to Tuna but Tuna also has a crap ton of sodium in it.

I only need 3500 calories worth of black beans to get my proteins in!

Actually, I hear tempeh is not awful for getting protein in without eating meat. Shame it's soy protein.

UponThisRock

Beans and Tofu for sure -- you have to eat more Tofu to up the protein compared to Tuna but Tuna also has a crap ton of sodium in it.

I'd be more concerned about the mercury

rextcat

i dont care i will bath in it anyway

SNorris01

It is all peanuts just in powered form, all you do is add water has the same flavor and consistency of PB. I love real PB, but this is just as good rather expensive, but good stuff.

tig_ol_bitties

I agree with OP. I regard peanut butter as a good source of fat that happens to have protein on the side. I think most people who say peanut butter is a good source of protein are vegans, and they tend to call anything that isn't meat and has protein a good source of protein because they don't have much to choose from...

Really? Not much to choose from? Maybe you should educate yourself on plant-based proteins and see HOW MANY there are before you say we don't have much to choose from. I'm vegan, and I *rarely* eat peanut butter because I don't think it's high in protein for the cals. It is a good fat source, though.

UponThisRock

I am a second vote for PB2. It isn't fake, they just take peanuts and basically squeeze the oil out of them. You just reconstitute it with water and it tastes the same to me.

1/4 the calories, but with all the good stuff still there.

"squeezing the oil out" suggests to me that "all the good stuff" isn't there anymore

Sweet_Potato

I just took a peek at your food diary and you consumed a huge amount of nuts today-- nearly 500 calories worth! So I don't think you have any right to preach aobut not eating peanut butter.

wellbert

Beans and Tofu for sure -- you have to eat more Tofu to up the protein compared to Tuna but Tuna also has a crap ton of

Don't eat out of a can, and the sodium is quite low.

gwyn48

I thought a few years ago the ADA now records peanut butter as a fat, not a protein. I agree with this assessment & use it accordingly. Like I would never cut up 2 TBLSP of butter and eat it straight, I won't do the same with peanut butter. It has helped me keep it in perspective

UponThisRock

Not everyone eats meat. For a vegetarian, peanut butter is a good source of protein.

And in my opinion (and that of every medical opinion I've ever read) people here think they need far more protein than they actually do.

Thank you! I'm not a vegetarian, but it drives me crazy when people criticize vegetarians and vegans for not consuming 1,000 grams of protein every day. Our bodies really don't need very much. Also, fat is not bad! Especially the fat that comes from nuts.

I did what now?

wellbert

I am a second vote for PB2. It isn't fake, they just take peanuts and basically squeeze the oil out of them. You just reconstitute it with water and it tastes the same to me.

1/4 the calories, but with all the good stuff still there.

"squeezing the oil out" suggests to me that "all the good stuff" isn't there anymore

Right.

I eat peanut butter for the healthy fats... not the smidge of protein.