too much of a good thing? Peanut Butter.....

dskline1
dskline1 Posts: 123
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I am a very, very active 40 year old woman....I usually work out in the am - long hikes, etc - I usually eat oatmeal before my o'dark thirty work outs. When I come home, I am craving a triple decker PB&J sandwich. Now, mind you, this is made on Arnold's Whole Wheat bread, Skippy Natural Pb and reduced sugar jelly. (Could be worse, could be better) My question is, there are several days a week that I end up eating another pb&j for lunch, but then concentrate on a better dinner (ie - mixed green salads with chicken or pork and veggies in it or eggs, etc - meaning - I don't have any bread for dinner). Anyway, would 2 pb&j's be too much fat from the pb in a very active lifestyle? I know that the fat in pb is healthier than some, but is it too much of a good thing? I am not noticing any weight issues with eating the pbj's, but it is honestly my truest comfort food and one that i very much look forward to after my workouts. Any opinions out there???? Very curious what you all have to say...........

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I would say no, but depends on how much you put on each one. It wouldn't be the fat that I would be concerned with eating like this, it would be the lack of nutrition due to not getting enough of other stuff especially fruit and veggies. Try changing to peanut butter and banana sandwiches to get some fruit and for lunch have some raw veggies on the side.
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    I would say no, but depends on how much you put on each one. It wouldn't be the fat that I would be concerned with eating like this, it would be the lack of nutrition due to not getting enough of other stuff especially fruit and veggies. Try changing to peanut butter and banana sandwiches to get some fruit and for lunch have some raw veggies on the side.

    Totally agree with this. As a child I refused to eat meat (I still don't) and my mother all but threw her hands up....I lived off of PB sandwiches and protein shakes (but I also ate all my veggies and fruits).
    Have a PB and apple sandwich instead of the jelly (or pear, banana, strawberry, ect). Have a handfull of carrots or jicama strips on the side.
  • Amber030583
    Amber030583 Posts: 490 Member
    I love the PB&J sammiches! Maybe try a different bread? I use the healthy life bread and it is only 35 calories a slice! Try that. Now a triple decker? Is that with three pieces of bread? Possibly try just with two slices?
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    I love me some peanut butter so I have to say no. As long as you are watching the portions you are putting into each sandwich you should be fine. 2 Tbsp is usually a serving and I use 1Tbsp to top apple slices and then I make a small peanut butter sandwich (1 piece of bread folded in half) and I will use 1 Tbsp for that with a teaspoon of simply fruit or reduced sugar jam. As long as you are watching portions and not eating a jar a day you should be ok. :drinker:
  • marymooster
    marymooster Posts: 134 Member
    I agree.... as long as you are not overboard.... like 3 a day.... and your calories are in tune... go for it......
  • StarryEyedGirl
    StarryEyedGirl Posts: 585
    you already know the answer you are just feeling quilty but why? I say if you are active as you are and eat good 99.9% of the time as you do then what the heck is wrong with PB&J? We have grown up eating this! I think you have made it the healthiest way possible with the wheat bread low sugar jelly and natural pb&j.... we can't give EVERYTHING up!

    I do agree banana and peanut butter is better then jelly (taste wise also) or even green apple yum!!!

    When I make this for my kids I have to literally throw the tainted knife in the sink asap before being tempted to lick it!
  • shel4eva
    shel4eva Posts: 2
    I would say that if you are leading such an active lifetyle, aren't having them twice a day every day and are getting plenty of nutrition elsewhere, don't worry about it! Especially if you don't find that if affects your weight. I agree that they are not very nutritious, but with the amount and type of exercise you say you are doing, I would guess that maybe you are burning off enough calories to be allowed the sandwiches for free!
  • dskline1
    dskline1 Posts: 123
    I would say no, but depends on how much you put on each one. It wouldn't be the fat that I would be concerned with eating like this, it would be the lack of nutrition due to not getting enough of other stuff especially fruit and veggies. Try changing to peanut butter and banana sandwiches to get some fruit and for lunch have some raw veggies on the side.

    I very much agree with you....I do have a banana and some walnuts or pecans as a snack throughout the day as well as a yogurt with some sort of fresh fruit in it...probably not nearly enough, but they are in there. I tend to have more of these on the days that I will not be having the salad/meat/veggie combo for dinner. Thank you.... a very good point made. Much appreciated.
  • RobinsEgg
    RobinsEgg Posts: 3,702 Member
    I'm all FOR peanut butter and whatever you want to accompany it with. I HATE PB and bananas. But many a lunch I have PB plain on wheat or PB&J on wheat. I have taken it from one sandwich to two pieces of bread I eat separately. I make a point of making it last a long time by setting the sandwich down, and taking a long, slow breath before I take another bite. I find its more filling for me that way.
    Good luck and don't feel bad about it.
  • stringcheeze
    stringcheeze Posts: 286
    If you love PB, but are worried about the fat content from eating so much of it, take a look at PB2 (http://www.bellplantation.com/). Its practically guilt-free peanut butter.

    I agree with others who have suggested some variety just to make sure you're getting all of your proper nutrition.
  • dskline1
    dskline1 Posts: 123
    I love the PB&J sammiches! Maybe try a different bread? I use the healthy life bread and it is only 35 calories a slice! Try that. Now a triple decker? Is that with three pieces of bread? Possibly try just with two slices?

    I have just recently started to research bread options...I chose Arnold's since it does not have the HFCS added - decent fiber and protein as well. As I started looking at the labels....I was shocked how many "whole wheat" breads were not actually "WHOLE wheat"....lol I would be curious what bread options you all choose and why? I have heard many times that Ezekiel is great, but have yet to try it. Also, the 2 slices leaves me hungry and unsatisfied....the triple decker gets me through the next 4 hrs til my next mealtime. I think I shall try to try the 2 slices once again and add fruit to the meal. I have to get past the ease of making the triple decker and being done....
  • rubysparkle
    rubysparkle Posts: 362 Member
    I used to have a personal trainer who always told me to have peanut butter sandwich or peanut butter on rice cakes as a healthy lunch. I still do, it fills me up and i count it in as normal. No need to feel guilty.
  • sdwelk11
    sdwelk11 Posts: 825
    I know when I am really craving a PB&J I go ahead but I have FULL CIRCLE ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER ON WHOLE WHEAT BREAD WITH A DRIZZLE OF ORGANIC HONEY INSTEAD OF JELLY.. I LOVE IT! and it cures that PB&J craving too!
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat bread has no artificial anything, 50 calories a slice, and soft and delicious! It is my go-to bread for pb&j sammies. I like a good pb&j here and there but I wouldn't eat one every day! It lacks some nutrition for sure, and the nuts have some protein, but not enough IMO. I eat on average one sammie a day but I change it up, homemade chicken salad, tunafish, Boar's Head Blazin' Buffalo chicken breast, etc..

    OH, one more thing, I love peanut butter too, so sometimes I mix a tablespoon of it in my oatmeal, and it is AWESOME, try it, maybe that will cut the craving for the sandwich. :)
  • 29bubbles
    29bubbles Posts: 126 Member
    The sandwich thins are pretty good too.. 100 cal for one (two pieces in one thin).. they also have bagel thins.
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