IS PEANUT BUTTER GOOD FOR YOU?

Peanut butter is usually thought of as a guilty pleasure. A fatty treat food to be eaten by the spoonful after a tough break-up or on a Saturday night with ice-cream... because calories don’t count on a weekend right?! I mean, how can something so irresistibly delicious be good for you?  Well, we are here to tell you how!

Protein, fibre, healthy fats, potassium, antioxidants and magnesium are just a few of the benefits of peanut butter!

We know that a handful of nuts each day are a great source of healthy fats, protein and fibre. But did you know that a tablespoon of peanut butter is equivalent to a handful of nuts! Peanut butter is really high in healthy mono-unsaturated fats, which can help lower your risk of heart disease. It is also high in a nutrient called niacin, which has been shown to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

And for you gym junkies out there peanut butter also contains lots of protein! 2 tablespoons of peanut butter contains around 7g of protein, which makes it a perfect mid-morning snack. Protein is great for keeping you feeling full and for building and repairing muscles. Peanut butter also contains fibre, which is big tick when it comes to healthy digestion!

The only downside of peanut butter is that it is very high in calories due to its fat content. 2 tablespoons contain about 1,000kJ… so don’t go too crazy!

Of course not all peanuts butters are made equal… you’ll need to shop with care. Check the ingredients list and try to choose one that contains only 100% peanuts, or, failing that, one that contains minimal nasties such as added sugar and salt.

So stop feeling guilty and add a little peanut butter to your life! It is great as an afternoon snack with carrots and celery, or as an early morning energy boost straight out of the jar! Now excuse me… time to go and grab a spoon!