I do not think I have come across a health or fitness magazine that has not included peanut butter as a healthy and filling breakfast, snack, lunch, dessert…
an american staple
I must say that I c r i n g e when I hear people eating it, to stay slim, or are suffering from stomach discomfort, etc.
First let me start off by saying that peanuts are NOT nuts. Peanuts are legumes.
Peanuts are very dense and high in protein, fat and starch. When these three elements are combined (in such high amounts), our body has more difficulty breaking them down. The reason people stay “full” on it longer, is because peanut butter sits, or rather, sticks in our bellies longer than any meal should (especially a breakfast!).
Second, not only are peanuts difficult to digest, but stored peanuts easily become moldy. This mold is none other than aflatoxin—a toxic mold that is thought to be a carcinogen.
In addition, most store-bought, peanut butters are loaded up on additives like hydrogenated oils, sugar, salt and dextrose (in addition to other additives). It should be called: PeanutPlus butter.
hmm... what else is in that jar?
Yes. It is possible to go to a health food store and make your own peanut butter from those snazzy machines but… unless they are cleaned on a regular basis, it is even more likely that you will be ingesting mold.
The truth about peanut butter is that it is constipating!
The good news is that there are alternative and legitimate NUT butters. Almond butter, sans additives, is a wonderful substitute. If you want to sweeten it, shimmy in some powdered or vanilla stevia. Nut butters can be a satisfying, delicious, and healthy treat, without the hang-ups of peanut butter.
the better alternative
Does anyone have any tasty almond butter recipes? Or suggestions?
I think this post is misleading and a little false. I completely agree that the typical peanut butter with its hydrogenated oils and added sugar is not good for you. However, it’s wrong to assume peanuts are an unhealthy food. Peanuts and almonds both have great benefits. It’s not like one is “good” for you and one is “bad” for you. If peanuts should be avoided for their difficulty to digest then I guess we shouldn’t be eating fiber either.
Hi Cam,
First of all, I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to voice your opinion here. I appreciate your feedback.
I do not think I directly came out and said one was “bad” and one of “good” but I firmly believe that peanuts have no place in the diet and are most certainly not for people with a sensitivity to mold, skin problems, congestive problems, stomach issues and difficulty losing weight. I personally believe that the negative effects of a peanut outweigh the positive (I will not call a peanut “bad” per se, but I would suggest its avoidance). I have also found that peanuts are “addicting” and have found clients actually “crave” peanut butter and peanuts.
It is not just the fact that they are difficult to digest but they do not “clean” the colon, as does plant cellulose or fiber. You are absolutely correct in that yes! We need fiber! and Yes! Our body does not digest fiber. Fibers, which come exclusively from plants, help us pass food and cleanse or digestive tract. Without them it would be impossible for digestion to take place in a “balanced” way.
I believe that proper nourishment comes from our body’s incredible ability to gather nutrients in the digestive tract and then get rid of the waste that it cannot use. When food is not passing properly, proper nourishment cannot take place. Peanuts stick, just like they do to your fingers or your mouth.
I am sorry for writing a novel but I wanted to back up my answer in order to properly respond to your comment.
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to more of your comments in the future.
If you are going to continue to enjoy peanut butter, I highly suggest grinding it fresh with a Vitamix or in a health shop… and then storing it in your fridge to avoid rancidity.
I do eat peanuts, but you know almond butter is my favorite.
I have several recipes listed here on my recipe page: http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/recipes/
Thanks for commenting on my blog
I like yours 
Like Heather above, I guess almond butter would be my favorite; and Heather has all the great ideas,
THe less original ideas being simply to add to cold and hot cereals; fruit and stuff. And also on breads, etc. of course.
I recently picked up some walnut butter and that is also amazing.
I eat a lot of nut butters and nuts and seeds, so I basically add them to anything and everything at anytime
Hello Ms. Nutritionist!! You are so smart! It is nice to see someone writing articles about nutrition that are actually nutritious!!
You are 100% correct about the peanut butter! It is not even a nut, so many Americans are mislead into believing that they are eating a wonderuful nut when in fact they are eating a leagume… which are so much harder to digest than nuts like almonds… so obviously you are totally correct to say that its better to eat almond butter.. while both are sticky foods that stick in the colon the almond butter is way cleaner and can be utilized by the body and eventually passed along where as pea”nut” butter has hardly any usable nutrients and usually just ends up sitting in the colon… only to permiate the tissue of the colon wall POISONING our bodies..
keep up the wonderful posts.. its nice to read something by someone who knows their stuff.
maren
[...] 5. Peanuts and Peanut Butter- Peanuts, are not nuts. Peanuts are legumes. Each little peanut contains a grandiose amount of fat and starch, which automatically makes them more difficult for the body to digest, as they are naturally miscombined. In addition, most peanuts are loaded with hydrogenated oils, and jam packed with sugar. Natural peanuts are more susceptible to harboring a highly toxic mold, known as aflatoxin. This mold is a known carcinogen. Peanuts, and peanut butter are constipating, and will cause weight gain, and other health complications down the road. Read on… [...]
[...] 5. Peanuts and Peanut Butter- Peanuts, are not nuts. Peanuts are legumes. Each little peanut contains a grandiose amount of fat and starch, which automatically makes them more difficult for the body to digest, as they are naturally miscombined. In addition, most peanuts are loaded with hydrogenated oils, and jam packed with sugar. Natural peanuts are more susceptible to harboring a highly toxic mold, known as aflatoxin. This mold is a known carcinogen. Peanuts, and peanut butter are constipating, and will cause weight gain, and other health complications down the road. Read on… [...]
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I am wondering if you have a reference for your statement regarding the high starch content of peanuts? The label on my jar at home suggests 3 grams between fiber and starch and this site states 0 grams per serving
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4448/2
The USDA is a bit vague, but again suggests a maximum of 3 grams per serving
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/cgi-bin/list_nut_edit.pl
and states 1.5 grams per two tablespoons of peanut butter
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/cgi-bin/list_nut_edit.pl
Three grams of starch per 14 grams of lipid and 6 grams of protein does not seem high to me.
[...] The sandwich on the right is full of fiber, protein, healthy fats, natural sugars and vitamins (almonds are also argueably a better alternative to peanuts). They are both called a pb&J but couldn’t be farther apart in term of a sandwich. My [...]
Thank you so much for this article! I am addicted to peanut butter but I am strong enough to not try it again ! I will change to almond butter. It’s more expensive but for sure much healthier!
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