Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter!  Today April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day!

http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/national_peanut_butter_and_jelly_day.html    

In honor of this I would love to know your PB &J stories.  Growing up this was a staple for lunch.  I was a “dipper” and my siblings were not.  (meaning I dipped it in milk)  How do you remember this sandwich and what variety are you eating today?

For me my favorite way to eat Peanut Butter is with Fig spread or honey and banana.  Sometimes just pieces of apple cut up and dipped in the butter.  It has often been thought that Peanut Butter was “fattening” and therefore not good for you.  As we have talked about before though, there are different kinds of fat.  In my practice we talk about that a lot.  I think the benefits of eating nut butters far outweigh the non-benefits or the fact that there is fat in peanut butter. 

According to Dr. Walter C. Willett “A typical 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter has 3.3 grams of saturated fat and 12.3 grams of unsaturated fat. That puts it up there with olive oil in terms of the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fat.”

It contains Potassium, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.  Never -mind it is one of those foods that is hugely satisfying to eat.  So my suggestion of the day:

1.  Eat natural peanut butter.  Ones without Hydrogenated Oil, or go unsalted.
2. Try eating alternate nut butters.  My favorite is Sunflower Seed butter.  (cashew, almond etc.)
3. A little goes a long way.
4. Pair it with fruit or some un-sugary spread on a Sprouted Grain or crunchy bread
5. Enjoy

I would love to know your favorite combination!  Kerry Fleckenstein, HC  AADP

References:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/Is-peanut-butter-healthy