Lets talk Peanut butter?

OAS5
OAS5 Posts: 376 Member
Throughout my fat loss of 73 pounds or so my biggest guilty pleasure has been peanut butter. Typically 2 spoon fulls plain, not on bread or with jelly, just peanut butter spoon fulls. Then I kinda feel guilty and lay off for a few days or weeks. So its high in calories and fat but low in saturated fat. What is your overall take on peanut butter and losing weight? Should I feel bad after eating peanut butter a few days in a row?
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Replies

  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    I love peanut butter as well. And I weigh it out. Me Skippy Natural Creamy hits the spot. Have several times a week.
  • nicnz
    nicnz Posts: 159 Member
    In agreement with the above staments, that if you enjoy, why not eat it (in moderation, it's a very healthy source of fats and protein 👍)

    Like many of you here I am a massive PB fan 😋😍 but do find it terribly challenging to control myself once the jar is open. I always buy the no added sugar varieties which are much more common in the shops here now than the cheap sugar-added options (NZ).
    It's extra plastic around the house but am finding a small bag of roasted chopped nuts does the trick, and it's much easier to stop for me strangely enough....or roasting my own peanuts (cheaper) and taking them all to work for breakfast/snacks.

  • Jrodasff
    Jrodasff Posts: 334 Member
    I crush peanut butter throughout the day. Tons of it in a protein shake, large TBS with an Apple, spread all over kodiak pancakes, just by itself. Love it
  • OAS5
    OAS5 Posts: 376 Member
    Thanks guys, I feel guilty or maybe slightly nervous is it puts me up close to my fat count for the day. That's the only reason. Thanks for all the responses.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,281 Member
    Throughout my fat loss of 73 pounds or so my biggest guilty pleasure has been peanut butter. Typically 2 spoon fulls plain, not on bread or with jelly, just peanut butter spoon fulls. Then I kinda feel guilty and lay off for a few days or weeks. So its high in calories and fat but low in saturated fat. What is your overall take on peanut butter and losing weight? Should I feel bad after eating peanut butter a few days in a row?

    My personal take on peanut butter is that I dont like it much.

    I do not have any in my house and cannot remember the last time I ate any.

    But that's just me.

    Eat any food you like for as many days in a row as you like as long as it fits in your calories and you dont eat so much that your diet is becoming nutritionally unbalanced

  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,956 Member
    It's not the texture of peanut butter and it's processed but I find lower caloriy PB2 works well as a replacement in recipes calling for peanut butter such as satay sauce for grilled meats, West African peanut soup, asian peanut/sesame noodles, bang bang chicken.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    edited October 2019
    As others said, I really like PB2 in cooking and also in smoothies. I find that I have to keep it in the fridge after opening.

    I eat peanut butter a few times a week. Smuckers natural (peanuts, salt) is my favorite. Has to initially be stirred and then kept in the fridge because it doesn't contain any preservatives. I don't like the peanut butters with added sugar (Jif, Skippy, etc); I find them too sweet.

    My cholesterol and triglycerides are very healthy, so I don't pay much attention to my fat macro. I think I eat about 25% - 30% fat.

    My husband eats peanut butter every day and his lipid profile is also normal.
  • HollyPFlax
    HollyPFlax Posts: 79 Member
    I eat peanut butter all the time, almost every day. After work, I come home briefly to change. Then I head to the barn to ride or the gym to lift weight. Both take about 2 1/2 hours. I needed to find a small snack that would keep me full. Peanut butter has a really nice mix of fat, sugar, and a little bit of protein. The texture even feels like it coats my stomach and I don't need to eat anything else. How do I do it without gaining weight? I weigh out 16.5 grams, which is half a serving, or 95 calories. Those are factored into my total for the day and usually logged ahead of time.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    I would never give up Peanut Butter, I just fit it into my calories.
  • jwoolman5
    jwoolman5 Posts: 191 Member
    I consider peanut butter as good food - it contributes protein, fiber, and good fat. I would advise not worrying about higher fat for the day if it is coming from plant foods rather than animal foods. All fats are not alike.

    Peanut butter has always been very safe for me (I have food allergies, so that's important!). I now alternate with seed and nut butters.

    You can get peanut butter with nothing added but salt or without salt entirely. I also get whole peanuts in the shell that have been roasted but are unsalted, likewise for some nut and seed butters. They don't have gobs of salt to worry about, but I like the unsalted taste.

    One recent discovery is peanut or nut or seed butter on those little 0.5 gram sheets of roasted seaweed (I have Gimmee Organic ones, come in packs of ten or more sheets). I got a free pouch of squeezable almond butter and was inspired to try it (gloppy butters work most easily on those thin nori sheets) and it is really good! Messy, but tasty. I will make a little sandwich out of two sheets or roll them up. Still messy, so use a plate. I put a lot on, though, so if you use less - might be less messy.

    Peanut butter etc. also goes well with any crunchy veg in sandwiches or on crackers or without a carrier. Chopped onions and carrots are wonderful with it. Also broccoli (broccoli slaw works great in sandwiches), shredded cabbage or cabbage leaves, any lettuce, and of course pickles. I prefer denser breads or pitas for such concoctions, or any kind of wrap. Coconut wraps also work even with savory. Big leaves of lettuce or cabbage can also be used for wraps.
  • healingnurtrer
    healingnurtrer Posts: 217 Member
    You aren't doing anything bad when you eat peanut butter. So why feel guilty? Maybe you are being too critical/ perfectionistic with yourself. These feelings aren't helping you, I hope you can let them go. It's ok to eat food you enjoy.

    (You are probably doing this but: I would recommend weighing it on a food scale to make sure you are logging it correctly.)

    Congrats on your weight loss!
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Thanks guys, I feel guilty or maybe slightly nervous is it puts me up close to my fat count for the day. That's the only reason. Thanks for all the responses.
    What's your macro split? There's nothing wrong with eating a little more fat as long as it isn't crowding out protein and other nutrients. I eat on the high side because fat is satiating for me. Sort of the opposite of a volume-eater.
  • aries68mc
    aries68mc Posts: 173 Member
    I eat a tbls occasionally. Either just straight, or will put it on celery or whole grain bread or crackers. I also make my own peanut butter, from just...peanuts! So much better than store bought, and I know what is in it.
  • VegjoyP
    VegjoyP Posts: 2,772 Member
    I am really happy to see this post. I avoid peanut butter because it's a " trigger food" however after joining MFP, I have realized the power behind a food scale and calories even though I have been doing this since I was 12!
    I agree we should not exclude things we enjoy if it fits into our regimine. Peanut butter is love! This may motivate me to go to Whole Foods and get the fresh natural in grinder.
    One thing I have found really helps keep track and makes it convenient is when I buy a jar of but butter, coconut manna, nuts and other calorie dense products I measure out portion sizes and put them in sample cups. It's like the packets of but butter at stores only less expensive.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited October 2019
    my guilty pleasure is peanut butter mixed with maple syrup. If you haven't tried this, it is incredible. Don't feel guilty. It's a good source of protein :) I too have lost 73 plus lbs so far.

    not really a good source of protein. it is a good source of fat, that also has some protein. Still, don't feel guilty about it. if it fits your calorie goal, then no worries.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    I eat it every day, but it's a particularly difficult food to eyeball or spoon-measure accurately because it's so calorie dense. What I do it put the jar on my scale, make sure it's zeroed, then scoop out my peanut butter. The negative number on the scale is the amount I took out: Accurate, and no extra dishes to wash. (You know I'm gonna lick the spoon. ;) ).

    It's fine to go over your fat macro, as long as you aren't letting it drive out needed protein or veggie/fruit servings on a regular basis. Some people find fats more satiating, so it can be helpful to them to spend any extra calories on fats rather than carbs or over-goal protein grams.

    Enjoyment FTW! :)
  • xSanoura
    xSanoura Posts: 40 Member
    Personally I love peanut/almond butters! I go for a simple one (not full of additional oils/sugars).
    I keep a jar in my locker and if I’m hangry or need a pick me up, I’ll eat a spoonful.