Article Master

This is a common question. Most people have seen something about peanut butter, sometimes saying it is good for you, sometimes that it is not so good for you. The truth is, it depends on what kind of peanut butter you are eating. There are essentially two kinds:

1 - Natural Peanut Butter. This is 100% crushed peanuts, with no additives. Think Adam’s, the household brand when it comes to natural peanut butters.

2 - Processed Peanut Butter. This is a mixture of crushed peanuts, added hydrogenated fats, sodium, sugar, and other ingredients. Think Kraft, Skippy, Squirrel, all of the brands that have been around forever.

Based on the ingredients, it should be somewhat obvious that processed peanut butter is much less healthy. None of these additives are necessary, nor are they healthy. The sugar and sodium are somewhat worrisome, but much more serious are the hydrogenated fats. These are a real health hazard, as they can lead to heart disease.

Natural peanut butter, on the other hand, is very healthy, because peanuts are very good for you. They are high in mono and poly-unsaturated fats, which help to reduce one’s cholesterol. They are very high in protein, and that, combined with its high calories, make it a great food for active people. Peanut butter stays with you for a long time, meaning you won’t get hungry very quickly. It is also high in Vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant proven to prevent cancer, and is also very good for one’s skin. There are even some studies now that show that peanut butter is a great food for people trying to lose weight. Top all these benefits off with the fact that peanut butter is high in fiber, and you have yourself a very healthy food.

Some people don’t like natural peanut butter because it is not as easy to spread, and harder to store (it has to be refrigerated). However, try to keep in mind that it is a much healthier option, and should be used whenever possible!

What about other nut butters? They are also very healthy, and in many cases, even more so than peanut butter. Basically, whichever nut is healthier will make the healthiest spread. Some of the most popular nut butters available are almond butter, cashew butter, and brazil nut butter. Of these three, almond butter is the healthiest, as almonds are probably the healthiest nut you can buy. There are also mixed nut butters, so you can pretty much find any flavors you want. All of these nut butters can be used in cooking, in the same way as peanut butter and for most recipes they can be used as substitutes.

So now you know that peanut butter is a great health food, and if you get bored of it, you can always switch over to other nut butters. Making these a regular part of your diet are part of a healthy lifestyle, and should be incorporated regularly in small amounts.

For more information on some great ways to incorporate peanut butter into your diet, check out the Peanut Butter Junkie. You will find health information, and the best, perfected recipes, such as peanut butter smoothie recipes, and the famous peanut butter marshmallow squares.

[tags]peanut butter recipes, peanut butter health information, peanut health information[/tags]