Peanut Butter Alternative?

farmers_daughter
farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Take a look at my diary today.

Normally I would say it's a good day, but I only have 153 calories left for dinner. Right, like that's gonna happen

For snack I wanted to bring celery sticks I have them and they are essentially a "free" food. But I really only like them with peanut butter.

So in a hurry this morning, I have a half cup container that I semi filled with pb, and estimating that there's 5 tbsp's in it. That's almost 500 calories.

So.....
1. Do you guys have any lower calorie suggestions with celery
2. Should I worry about the calories? Since it's good fats?

What can I do to salvage this day.....

Replies

  • hmsmike
    hmsmike Posts: 56 Member
    I do PB too with my celery ... I usually use the 190 calorie TO-GO Cups they sell. Just because it keeps me honest.

    I am curious to hear some suggestions as well ... I just can't do all-natural PB either. Hoping to see some good suggestions! :)
  • DaniettaF
    DaniettaF Posts: 212 Member
    I'm not a fan of celery, but when I want to dip something I dip it in salsa, as it is just basically tomatoes :)
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  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    I'm not a fan of celery, but when I want to dip something I dip it in salsa, as it is just basically tomatoes :)
    This sounds good actually... I make a pico de gallo (spelling?lol) that may actually be good with celery now that you say it.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    Yes you should worry about calories regardless if they are from "good fats"
    Its about caloric deficit not about where the calories come from in order to lose weight.

    Forget about salvaging the day. Just move on, tomorrow is a new day.
    I've always thought this, but then people say "but it's good fats" like they are trying to make me feel better or something???

    That's why I questioned it.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Peanut butter is good fat (heart healthy) - as long as you can incorporate it in your macros - you should eat the real deal.

    If you want something lower in calorie .... you might try PB2. This is powdered peanut butter. The taste is pretty good .... the texture is pretty bad. You add water to the powder .... this might serve as a celery dip. I like to dip apple slices in PB2 and also add it to oatmeal.

    Celery with cottage cheese "filling" ...... this would be similar (in taste) to celery with cream cheese. Cucumbers should be pretty much a "free" food too. Bok Choy is another one, nice and crispy, very mild.
  • T0FatToB3S1ck
    T0FatToB3S1ck Posts: 192 Member
    There is something in the grocery store beside the peanut butter called "better butter" or something like that. It's supposed to be refrigerated after you open it. 2 table spoons for 100 calories. It's a bit sweeter than peanut butter but it's the same concept. Give it a try. I personally wasn't to sure if I would like it and took 2 times of eating it before I was "use" to the difference. It's a bit more expensive. Regular peanut butter is what $3 a jar. This stuff is $6 a jar for the same amount.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    just meter it out properly.

    or try hummus

    instead of substituting for other crap- learn to moderate what you have so you can be accurate AND enjoy the food you like. :) chalk it up to lesson learned and be more diligent tomorrow.

    My boss laughs at me when I measure my trail mix- bu then again- he is probably 250 lbs over weight- and I'm definitely NOT.... so- don't let the random compulsive measuring and people's judgines stop you. :D
  • Jayne2629
    Jayne2629 Posts: 28
    I agree with the post about PB2. It really is not gonna satisfy you if you're craving some peanut butter right off the spoon, but it does okay when pairing it with something else. I usually make some and put it with apple or throw a tbsp or two in a smoothie.

    Just warning you in advance, don't go into it expecting it's going to taste exactly like peanut butter because it doesn't. I bought some thinking it would be a perfect substitute but to me it sort of has a soy flavor to it. I don't know if anyone else thinks this too. Sometimes you've gotta just go with the original, but if you're looking for a substitute I can vouch that PB2 does a pretty good job. :)
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    NUTELLA!

    Oh wait, that has MORE calories.

    Nevahmind
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    Hummus wins!

    I'm going to go find some, any favorites as as far as flavors or brands?
  • anndaman
    anndaman Posts: 9 Member
    PB2 is awesome! Just mix it with equal parts water and it's (almost) as good for the real thing! I think that 45 calories for 2 tbsp is worth the slight difference in taste. I put it on almost everything... celery, apples, pancakes, bananas, oatmeal... you get the idea
  • hazymary
    hazymary Posts: 190 Member
    Just Great stuff...they freeze dry PB & remove the fat, it becomes a powder you reconstitute ...not bad for a PB fix..a tad expensive though.
  • kasiaj
    kasiaj Posts: 63 Member
    Hot sauce!!! mmm, it even makes celery taste good :)
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    i'd say hummus but that's also 70 cals for 2 tablespoons. You can try PB2 as well..

    But i would definitely suggest you don't try to have any food/beverage be "free food. That's just silly and innacurate.

    And if you want to eat celery i would suggest eating something else significantly more satisfying if you're just gonna slap 3-400 calories of peanut butter on it. I dont know... unless you just really love celery over soup/hot food.

    good luck! :)
  • gail200186
    gail200186 Posts: 59 Member
    I like to use garlic hummus with my celery :)
  • ljjol5
    ljjol5 Posts: 1
    If you like creamy hummus, Sabra (pine nut is my fav but all flavors are delicious) & Trader Joe's brands are the best! Hummus would have been my first suggestion, but I'm also going to try the cottage cheese WITH salsa option - thx for posting this question:)
  • viperk1
    viperk1 Posts: 43 Member
    Why not try a different nut butter? Almond butter is pretty yum.
  • bcarman86
    bcarman86 Posts: 51 Member
    I like celery with hummus. You have to read the labels though; it isn't all good for you, so many additives.
  • bcarman86
    bcarman86 Posts: 51 Member
    NUTELLA!

    Oh wait, that has MORE calories.

    Nevahmind

    But it is so delicious!
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 3,519 Member
    I use Laughing Cow Light creamy Swiss in celery. I take a full stalk of celery, put the cheese in the celery not going over the top, and cut it into fourths. So that is 35 cals per stalk, a couple of those is pretty filling and I love the taste and texture of the creamy cheese with the crunchiness of the celery.

    I also use celery in place of tortilla or pita chips for salsa and hummus as others have stated. I like almond butter better than PB so I also use that with celery. I happen to like celery on its own I put telllicherry pepper and sea salt on it.

    And if you are like some people who don't like the bitter after taste of celery, you can take a veggie peeler and remove the strings, that seems to make it much more sweet than bitter. I keep strings on for the fiber benefit YMMV.

    I also substitute mini sweet peppers for celery for variety using all the above, if your not a fan of celery really, try subbing the sweet peppers.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    I'm glad I asked/ranted. There is a lot of good info in here. Thank you!
  • bamabutterfly83
    bamabutterfly83 Posts: 73 Member
    As a light lunch I will sometimes mix cooked chicken with light ranch and stuff into celery. Yum! Also I agree with Hummus and PB2. I have chocolate pb2 today to go with my apples in fact. And when I want real peanut butter I always use Peter Pan whipped. I like the texture better and it's lower in calories than regular peter pan pb.
  • looking4au
    looking4au Posts: 85 Member
    hummus is yummy, but it sure isn't peanut butter. Love PB2! I agree, its not great right off the spoon, but pared with something else its awesome.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    no they aren't equivalent- but I much prefer hummus- it's just lighter feeling- although I do eat PB I eat it only 1 TBS at a time with a nanner as a snack but hummus wins esp since you can make your own much more easily than PB.

    I am partial to Sabra if I'm not getting it form the Lebanese place where I work (Their's un-doubtably THE BEST I've ever had)... Tribe is absolutely RUBBISH. PLAIN OLD RUBBISH. I can't stand how thick and chalky it is.

    Look into making your own- it's surprisingly easy to make- just again- be careful- it can be very high calorically.
  • FitGirlNani
    FitGirlNani Posts: 33 Member
    Hummus is a reat choice and I'm totally obsessed with the Laughing Cow cheese wedges. My favorite is the reduced fat swiss cheese (35 cals.). I usually spread the cheese on wedge crackers, english muffin, etc. It goes with pretty much anything.

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