Peanut Butter - Bad or Good?

I eat a peanut butter (natural not jiff) on 2 pieces of whole wheat 12-grain bread daily for lunch. Is this hindering my weight loss? I dont eat any red meat so I thought the peanut butter would give me the protein I need. Any insight is appreciated, thanks.
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Replies

  • kgb6days
    kgb6days Posts: 880 Member
    I eat a lot of peanut butter. It's a good source of protein. Just stay in your calories and watch your fat.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Weight loss will be largely controlled by your total intake of calories. Individual food items will contribute to your total intake of calories and in that regard, if peanut butter consumption puts you over your total calorie expenditure, you will gain weight.


    Additionally, peanut butter is fine to eat but it's not what I'd call a good source of protein in that the amount of calories you're eating is high compared to the protein content. For example, compare 200 calories of protein to 200 calories of fish.

    EDIT: I'm not saying that the protein in peanut butter is bad, I'm saying that if you're going to label a food as being a good source of a macronutrient, it should contain mostly that macronutrient.
  • loveskinny27
    loveskinny27 Posts: 94 Member
    I love peanit butter and as long as you eat it in moderation (Measure the ammout & logg it) ir should be fine its a great all rounder food is has a lot of fiber in it too but is high in fat - but this is a better fat than most on the market. I neither eat a lot of red meat and hope that i'd get my protein from it too.

    its a brill food for a dieter.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/other31.htm

    :)
  • I would like to hear what people have to say about this on to! I eat peanut butter once a day. I look for the one lowest in carbs and highest in protein. I think the best I have found was Peter Pan Natural? I also eat it on the 12 grain bread.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    i <3 nuts and nut butters
  • Angie_1MR
    Angie_1MR Posts: 247
    PB is a fat, not protein.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    It's been said before many times - there's no such thing as good or bad foods.

    Peanut butter certainly has a place in a healthy nutritious menu plan, but it's fairly calorie dense, and therefore easy to get too much of it.

    I like the wholenut crunchy stuff. And I love almond or hazelnut butter too for a change.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Weight loss will be largely controlled by your total intake of calories. Individual food items will contribute to your total intake of calories and in that regard, if peanut butter consumption puts you over your total calorie expenditure, you will gain weight.


    Additionally, peanut butter is fine to eat but it's not what I'd call a good source of protein in that the amount of calories you're eating is high compared to the protein content. For example, compare 200 calories of protein to 200 calories of fish.

    EDIT: I'm not saying that the protein in peanut butter is bad, I'm saying that if you're going to label a food as being a good source of a macronutrient, it should contain mostly that macronutrient.

    What he said.
  • shoobz
    shoobz Posts: 119
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    Well that's just full-on wrong...
  • LindaCWy
    LindaCWy Posts: 463 Member
    Weight loss will be largely controlled by your total intake of calories. Individual food items will contribute to your total intake of calories and in that regard, if peanut butter consumption puts you over your total calorie expenditure, you will gain weight.


    Additionally, peanut butter is fine to eat but it's not what I'd call a good source of protein in that the amount of calories you're eating is high compared to the protein content. For example, compare 200 calories of protein to 200 calories of fish.

    EDIT: I'm not saying that the protein in peanut butter is bad, I'm saying that if you're going to label a food as being a good source of a macronutrient, it should contain mostly that macronutrient.

    Solid point. I eat peanut butter and yes it is a "good fat" but it's really not THAT high in protein. One serving is about 8 grams of protein, where a piece of chicken is like 22 g. I get that you don't eat meat and I wont force that on you, but as a source of protein it's really not that high. If I were a vegetarian I would get the majority of my protein through protein shakes.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,148 Member
    There's nothing wrong with eating peanut butter.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Can't see your results...you tell us - is your weight loss hindered?

    Plenty of people are eating PB and still having good results...myself included :happy:
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    BAM.

    It's okay in moderation. but it's more fat than anything. A handful of almonds are better for you in my opinion than peanut butter. As for all the peanut butter taste with minimum fat and calories.. but still protein. Try PB2 - Amazon.com.
  • hazelovesfood
    hazelovesfood Posts: 454 Member
    Peanut butter is fat not protein, lol its both actually, all nuts all both, the contain fat and protein. Eat it , its gorgeous, just keep away from the crap kind, eat good organic without sugar, much muhc better for you.
  • I actually use Jif natural and have a sandwich quite often for lunch. Very low in sodium. Like other have said here, watch you overall calories more than one particular food item.
  • LindaCWy
    LindaCWy Posts: 463 Member
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    Well that's just full-on wrong...

    Sadly it is true. The grams of protein do not significantly outweigh the grams of fat.
  • steadk
    steadk Posts: 334 Member
    i love natural pb. one i love is best buy natural... just peanuts and salt. thats about as natural as you can find on store shelves. but i think you could find a different way to get high protein/low carbs/low fat
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  • Angie_1MR
    Angie_1MR Posts: 247
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    Well that's just full-on wrong...

    Ha ha...oooooooooooooookay!
  • PB is a fat, not protein.
    Wrong

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4453/2

    In 2 tbsp there are 8 grams of protein. Also carbs and fat.

    If eaten in moderation, it's a good source of a number of nutrients.

    Plus if a tablespoon makes you happy, you may have stronger resolve against other less nutritious fattening foods.

    But it is not "a fat."
  • How could peanut butter ever be bad?! Haha!

    As long as you fit it into your daily goals should be fine....just remember it's like 100 cals for one little TBSP!
  • islandjumper
    islandjumper Posts: 369 Member
    PB is chock full of yummy heart healthy goodness. As long as you're eating the natural stuff that's not infused with processed vegetable oil that is.
    Just eat it in moderation and stick within you calories...I eat it almost every day and haven't had any problems losing 40+lbs
  • patchesgizmo
    patchesgizmo Posts: 244 Member
    I just switched to natural peanut butter, less salt, less sugar, still yummer especially on top of a banana.
  • patchesgizmo
    patchesgizmo Posts: 244 Member
    Peanut butter is fat not protein, lol its both actually, all nuts all both, the contain fat and protein. Eat it , its gorgeous, just keep away from the crap kind, eat good organic without sugar, much muhc better for you.

    wrong wrong - there are good fats and bad fats, PB is not a bad fat.
  • LelliAmi
    LelliAmi Posts: 327 Member
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    False. Peanut butter is made from peanuts, which is a protein and a meat replacement. It contains omega fatty acids, which are necessary for proper cell function and just happens to be excellent brain food. So, as long as you don't eat half a jar a day, keep at it. Some other good sources of protein are cottage cheese, lean turkey and chicken, greek yogurt and kefir, and of course all other nuts and seeds. Hope this helps! Happy snacking. :)

    PS: For some really great snack ideas that are high in protein, I recommend Women's Health Magazine and The Daily Bite newsletter on Web MD. I'm subscribed, and the recipes on that site look absolutely amazing!!
  • FATBOYBGONE
    FATBOYBGONE Posts: 35 Member
    Man cannot live by bread alone. He must have peanut butter. Preferably crunchy Jiff.
  • LelliAmi
    LelliAmi Posts: 327 Member
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    False. Peanut butter is made from peanuts, which is a protein and a meat replacement. It contains omega fatty acids, which are necessary for proper cell function and just happens to be excellent brain food. So, as long as you don't eat half a jar a day, keep at it. Some other good sources of protein are cottage cheese, lean turkey and chicken, greek yogurt and kefir, and of course all other nuts and seeds. Hope this helps! Happy snacking. :)

    PS: For some really great snack ideas that are high in protein, I recommend Women's Health Magazine and The Daily Bite newsletter on Web MD. I'm subscribed, and the recipes on that site look absolutely amazing!!
  • shoobz
    shoobz Posts: 119
    PB is a fat, not protein.
    Wrong

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4453/2

    In 2 tbsp there are 8 grams of protein. Also carbs and fat.

    If eaten in moderation, it's a good source of a number of nutrients.

    Plus if a tablespoon makes you happy, you may have stronger resolve against other less nutritious fattening foods.

    But it is not "a fat."

    This.

    Also "a fat" is a lipid. Unless you're trying to discount basic biology here by saying that peanut butter is a lipid, you are wrong. Peanut butter is not "a fat". It CONTAINS fat, certainly. And so do most sources of natural protein.

    On the other hand, if you ARE claiming that peanut butter is a lipid, I'd love to see your research?
  • I used to eat this also, until I looked at the calories in the peanut butter AND the bread! One slice of bread is well over 100 calories. I have stopped eating the peanut butter and switched to a low calorie wheat bread. I don't eat red meat either. Try hummus, almonds, walnuts, and soy. But watch your serving sizes. Portobello mushrooms make a great meal alternative also.
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    PB is a fat, not protein.

    Has fat yes but also has 8g of protien in 2 tbs...

    From Livestrong:

    Peanut butter is ideal for a sandwich or as a dip because it is convenient and ready to eat. You may be pleased to learn that this tasty food can also be healthy and it is a good source of protein, fat and other essential nutrients. The serving size is 2 tbsp., or 32 g, and creamy and crunchy peanut butter have the same nutrients.

    Energy and Fat
    Peanut butter has about 188 calories per serving and it is a good source of fat, with about 16 g total fat, or about 25 percent of the daily value for fat. Most of the fat in peanut butter is heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and less than 4 g are from cholesterol-raising saturated fats. Peanut butter has more than 7 g monounsaturated fat and nearly 5 g polyunsaturated fat. You should avoid peanut butter made with partially hydrogenated oils because trans fats from these oils raise levels of bad LDL cholesterol in your blood.

    5 Foods That Burn Belly Fat The Ultimate Healthy Living Toolbar Get Daily Fitness Tips & More. Free www.dailyfitnesscenter.com
    Sponsored Links Protein
    The daily value for protein is 50 g, and a 2-tbsp. serving of peanut butter has about 8 g protein. Unlike the protein from animal sources such as meat and dairy, the protein in peanut butter is not a complete protein because, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, peanut butter does not have each of the amino acids you need to get from your diet. To complement the protein in peanut butter, eat other foods with protein such as vegetables, grains or animal products.

    Fiber and Phytosterols
    The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center states that people who eat nuts or peanuts may have a lower risk for developing heart disease. Peanut butter has 1.9 g fiber, which is heart-healthy because it may reduce your cholesterol levels. Dietary fiber also slows down digestion, which helps your body regulate blood sugar and may help reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes. Phytosterols are compounds in plants that may help you lower your cholesterol levels, and a serving of peanut butter has about 33 mg of phytosterols.

    Vitamins and Minerals
    Folate is an essential vitamin for lowering blood levels of heart-unhealthy homocysteine, and peanut butter has about 24 mcg of folate. It has almost 3 mg of vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin that promotes heart health. Diets high in potassium and low in sodium may reduce your risk of developing hypertension, and peanut butter is a natural source of potassium, with 208 mg per serving. Regular peanut butter has 147 mg sodium. If you want to reduce your sodium intake, you can choose one that has no added salt.



    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/346462-is-peanut-butter-a-good-source-of-protein-fat-etc/#ixzz1zktlVrsH