Training & Nutrition - Why is Peanut Butter bad for you???

I read one of the threads here and someone said that Peanut Butter was bad!! I just wondering why this is. I love Peanut Butter with Apples. I eat this for a snack almost every day. The peanut butter I use is not the natural stuff either. I'm just really curious as to why this was said and where is the evidence to prove that this is the case. My health is very, very important to me so now I'm worried. Please clue me in on this. Thanks!

forget all that rhetoric. PB has fat, yes. but has no trans fat and a nice sodium number. i think that the PB is bad references has to do with people who are on weight loss programs specifically.

There's nothing wrong with peanut butter other than most of its calories come from fat. Same goes for any nut or butter thereof. Or avocadoes, for that matter.

Oh yu mean like that fad called the "Atkins diet" :rolleyes:

Peanut Butter is good for you! HOWEVER, if you have joint/cartilage inflammation, lay off it for awhile. Peanuts excaserbate conditions like tendonitis, etc, and will work against whatever steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories you are taking.

Peanuts and peanut butter are an economical source of protein. Peanuts have more plant protein than (edit: most) any other nut. PB is high in calories, but those calories are from unsaturated (good) fat. Some brands are high in sodium and sugars. I eat PB on whole-grain crackers daily, and I'm not dead (or fat) yet.

technically peanut butter isn't bad for you but take it easy because even though it's high in "good" fat, it's still fat and won't be too kind on the physique (sp?). Also, the non-natural stuff probably isn't good for you. I'd say either go all natural or go to reduced fat.

You have to watch out for low grade peanut butter. A lot of times companies will extract the peanut oil from the peanut butter to sell as a seperate product and then replace it with cheaper cottonseed or palm oil. Read the ingredients before you buy it.

Good info everyone, I do eat the reduced fat pb. I haven't actually had it for a few days but just wanted to get the lowdown of the facts. THANKS!!

<snip>the facts.<snip>

You look for those here? :p

here's a chart that shows the carbs and protien values of all the nuts..
http://www.monkeymatters.com/charts/Nuts%20and%20Seeds%20Carbohydrate%20Chart.htm

peanuts are'nt the highest but they are right up there.. and cheaper than the ones that have more.. I prefer almond butter myself.. also try fresh pressed peanut butter or almond butter sometime from the health food store.. its great.. no preservatives that way.. turn the crank and watch them mush...

I'm not a big PB fan in general, but I like the natural versions better because they have no added sugar. The big name brands like Jif, Peter Pan, etc., all taste too sweet for me.

I was the one who said peanut butter was bad ... and if you kept reading that thread, you would have seen why ....


.... I'm allergic to peanuts, peas, and most legumes. If I were to eat peanut butter ... I wouldn't be able to ride, or do much of anything. :(

I haven't touched peanut butter in over 10 years.



Oh, incidentally, when I quit eating peanut butter ... I lost weight. :D

if you like peanut butter get a better nut. a real nut like almonds or cashews or the best macadamia. easier to digest and better for you.

I get the Arrowhead Mills 100% Peanut Butter. No added sugar, fats, or salt. Also, it's a natural one, so the oil separates - I just pour off as much of the oil as possible. Of course, it's 'crunchy' and you can't get the oil out of the solid peanut pieces, but I feel better about pouring off as much oil as I can. I find that without the sugar and salt, it tastes (sorry Jif) more peanutty than the others. Now that this is the only brand I use, I can't stand the regular ones - they don't taste like peanuts, just a salty blob.
Nutrition facts(2 TBS): Sugars-1g, Sodium=0mg. I get it at Whole Foods, but I've seen it in the organic section of regular supermarkets.

Aflatoxins may grow on peanuts before or after harvesting and under poor storage conditions. In 1993 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified AFB1 and mixtures of aflatoxins as Group 1 carcinogens, i.e. substances that can cause cancer in humans.

I too prefer almond butter. It's tastier and a far better source of fat.

Nut butter shouldn't be considered a protein source when you are structuring your diet. The caloric value is overwhelmingly fat. Nut butter is primarily a source of fat, not protein.

The problem with peanut butter is when people buy stuff like "skippy," which has a ton of sugar/weird stuff in it. There are quite a few makers who sell just peanuts, salted or unsalted, which is what you wan't.

I am addicted to this new stuff called Bettter N Peanut Butter. A healthy (both in products and nutrition) alternative to peanut butter. You can get it at trader joes. Its a little different, not quite as thick and almost has a coffee aftertaste. But I now like it better than the real stuff. Half the calories, 1/5 of the fat, no cholesteral, all natural etc. YUM! suppossedly there is a low sodium version (although the normal still has less sodium then skippys) but I cant find it.

http://betternpeanutbutter.com/

sorry for sounding like an ad, but when you find something you love, its fun to share it with everyone!

I use this stuff too. If you have any trouble spreading it (cuz you have to refridgerate) just warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds. Makes it nice and spreadable :D

Another problem with the peanut butters you don't have to stir is they are made with partially hydrogenated oils. These are the artery cloggers. Avoid Skippy, Jif, and no-stir 'natural' peanut butters, and get a peanut butter that is simply peanuts and salt. People need to eat some fats, so if you're not watching your weight, go for it.

do a search on "aflatoxins" and "aspergillus"

you'll never eat it again:)

Just a suggestion to all you peanut butter lovers ... and especially to those of you who have that "extra 10 lbs" you'd like to lose.

Remove peanut butter from your diet for a month and see how you feel by the end of the month. You might discover that you're on the way to losing the weight. :)

If you MUST eat something in place of peanut butter, try fruit or veggies.

Just a suggestion to all you peanut butter lovers ... and especially to those of you who have that "extra 10 lbs" you'd like to lose..

Exactly! It's a killer.

Most "poo-butter" has more calories than chocolate

Now hold on a sec there, Machka . . . your being allergic to peanuts and it being bad for you is one thing, but that doesn't mean they're bad for everyone. They can be quite beneficial as part of a balanced, sensible diet. I've actually lost weight as part of a diet that incorporates more, not less peanuts (and other fatty nuts). I empathize with your condition (I have an 18 month old with life-threatening peanut, egg, and milk allergies) but you're painting with an awfully broad brush to suggest it's bad for everyone.

Also: recent studies have shown that for some -- SOME -- people with peanut allergy that they can "outgrow" the allergy. The recommended method of staving off future reactions? Yep, eating more peanuts. Of course anyone with peanut allergy should consult their doctor before trying that though!

Now hold on a sec there, Machka . . . your being allergic to peanuts and it being bad for you is one thing, but that doesn't mean they're bad for everyone. They can be quite beneficial as part of a balanced, sensible diet. I've actually lost weight as part of a diet that incorporates more, not less peanuts (and other fatty nuts). I empathize with your condition (I have an 18 month old with life-threatening peanut, egg, and milk allergies) but you're painting with an awfully broad brush to suggest it's bad for everyone.




Ummmmm .... my original comment, in another post, was sort of tongue-in-cheek.

But there was an element of seriousness to my comment as well. A lot of people seem to be completely unaware that some people can't eat peanuts, peanut butter, peas, and other legumes.

I've been on an organized century ride where the food they provided was little bitty granola bars with practically no calories (they gave each of us one at each stop), and peanut butter sandwiches. Thank goodness I brought my own food or I would have gone hungry!! I couldn't believe that a ride organizer would be so insensitive to possible allergies!!

In this day and age, people have got to be more AWARE!!

I couldn't believe that a ride organizer would be so insensitive to possible allergies!!

In this day and age, people have got to be more AWARE!!
On the one hand I agree, but on the other hand . . . those with food allergies are in the minority and it's unrealistic to expect everyone on the planet to understand or even acknowlege that you have special needs. Again, we face this increasingly with our daughter. We accept that we need to be vigilant ourselves and teach her and her older sister to be. But we don't expect anyone around us to. And we don't make judgements on others wanting to eat foods that she's allergic to (we can't; we eat them ourselves!).

On the one hand I agree, but on the other hand . . . those with food allergies are in the minority and it's unrealistic to expect everyone on the planet to understand or even acknowlege that you have special needs. Again, we face this increasingly with our daughter. We accept that we need to be vigilant ourselves and teach her and her older sister to be. But we don't expect anyone around us to. And we don't make judgements on others wanting to eat foods that she's allergic to (we can't; we eat them ourselves!).

True, but I've been on a few organized century rides, and none of the previous ones served such a limited selection of food. Most will have at least a couple viable options ... maybe peanut butter sandwiches AND muffins, or cheese sandwiches, or fruit, or potato chips, or ... something!

And when I asked them about it, their response was, "Oh, we heard somewhere that ALL cyclists eat peanut butter." . . . as if being a cyclist automatically negated the negative effects of peanut butter!!

See, back in the days when I worked in daycare centers ... back in the early 1990s ... the whole allergy thing came up with one of the children, and all the workers had to attend seminars on allergies and things. There was a lot of awareness in the daycare centers. Because I came out of that atmosphere, I just expect everyone to be more aware.

BTW - have you taken a look at Nestle chocolates.
http://www.nestle.com/
http://www.nestle.ca/en/Enjoy_Food/Food_Facts/Dietary_Challenges/peanut_free_products.htm

It's nice that a company like that has become aware of these sorts of things and is providing products to allow people to live normal lives.

Peanut butter is good for you. I only eat fresh ground from one of the local "health food" stores or Whole Foods.

BTW - have you taken a look at Nestle chocolates.
http://www.nestle.com/
http://www.nestle.ca/en/Enjoy_Food/Food_Facts/Dietary_Challenges/peanut_free_products.htm

It's nice that a company like that has become aware of these sorts of things and is providing products to allow people to live normal lives.
I agree it's a good thing. However, since our daughter is also allergic to milk, many chocolate products are also off-limits. We still manage to find a lot of other things she can enjoy; it's not the end of the world. I just wish Fig Newtons did not contain whey, as they'd be excellent for her. I still eat 'em though. Right after my PB&J sandwich :)

With a Name like smuckers(Natural) it has to be good!

True, but I've been on a few organized century rides, and none of the previous ones served such a limited selection of food. Most will have at least a couple viable options ... maybe peanut butter sandwiches AND muffins, or cheese sandwiches, or fruit, or potato chips, or ... something!

And when I asked them about it, their response was, "Oh, we heard somewhere that ALL cyclists eat peanut butter." . . . as if being a cyclist automatically negated the negative effects of peanut butter!!


Excuse me while I say, "Ha!" derisively.

"Ha!"

Sorry, Machka. That wasn't aimed at you. Last year, I rode in my first so-called 'organized' century. It was a charity thing, and I had to raise at least $250US to even participate, PLUS the $30 entry fee.

When you stopped at most of the rest stops you could have either half of a banana and/or a quarter of an orange. The other rest stops were just convenience stores that were coincidentally along the route. There, you could have anything you wanted, as long as you bought it yourself.

*ahem* I'd better stop before I get on a full fledged rant. I'm still bitter about the whole thing. :rolleyes:

Anyway, about peanut butter. I think the entire thread boils down to, "It's fine in moderation." Yeah, it's a little high in fat. Then again other foods are low in fat, so if you make it part of a well balanced, varied diet, it'll be fine.

Some people are allergic to it and obviously shouldn't eat it. However, that shouldn't prevent anyone that's not allergic to it from eating it.

There's also the remote chance that peanuts can harbor a really nasty fungus. Then again, you don't hear news articles talking about the droves of people who die every day from eating peanut butter.

Unless you're specifically allergic to it, feel free to eat peanut butter. Heck, eat Skippy, Jif, or Peter Pan if you want to. Just don't make it a large percentage of your diet and you'll be fine.

(Oh, and do some research on an organized century before you ride in it.)

Ummmmm .... my original comment, in another post, was sort of tongue-in-cheek.

But there was an element of seriousness to my comment as well. A lot of people seem to be completely unaware that some people can't eat peanuts, peanut butter, peas, and other legumes.

I've been on an organized century ride where the food they provided was little bitty granola bars with practically no calories (they gave each of us one at each stop), and peanut butter sandwiches. Thank goodness I brought my own food or I would have gone hungry!! I couldn't believe that a ride organizer would be so insensitive to possible allergies!!

In this day and age, people have got to be more AWARE!!


Yep, like in the public schools.
If one person is allergic, then NO ONE can have it.
It's not the person who's allergic's responsibility, the whole world has to be responsible.

Yep, like in the public schools.
If one person is allergic, then NO ONE can have it.
It's not the person who's allergic's responsibility, the whole world has to be responsible.
The problem with this model is when to stop being "responsible" (or even aware, when you come right down to it). As I mentioned above, my daughter has a life-threatening allergy to milk (she is actually allergic; it's not lactose intolerance which is a completely different problem - if she gets it on her skin or ingests it, we have to give her an epinepherine injection and take her to the Emergency Room otherwise she swells up, including her airway, which is the life-threatening bit).

Anyway: I very much doubt that when she reaches school age that they will ban milk (or eggs, which she's also allergic to) because of that. Peanuts get all of the attention, that surely helps those with peanut allergy, but there plenty of others allergic to wheat, soy, and countless other very common substances. It's really unrealistic - and frankly, silly - to expect to rid every public place of all potential allergens (thankfully: otherwise I imagine we'd be burning lawns, chopping down trees, etc.).

"It's really unrealistic - and frankly, silly - to expect to rid every public place of all potential allergens (thankfully: otherwise I imagine we'd be burning lawns, chopping down trees, etc.)."

There are those "bigger brothers" in this society who would actually advocate for that. There are others who would advcate for the elimination of human impacts as though we are not part of nature.

There are those "bigger brothers" in this society who would actually advocate for that. There are others who would advcate for the elimination of human impacts as though we are not part of nature.

Yeah, in that case, I guess we should really not be eating anything at all :rolleyes:. I am a smaller brother. Who likes peanut butter :)

"It's really unrealistic - and frankly, silly - to expect to rid every public place of all potential allergens (thankfully: otherwise I imagine we'd be burning lawns, chopping down trees, etc.)."

There are those "bigger brothers" in this society who would actually advocate for that. There are others who would advcate for the elimination of human impacts as though we are not part of nature.


NO ONE is suggesting that we rid every public place of all potential allergens!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All I was suggesting is that people who organize cycling events be aware that some people on the cycling events might not be able to eat the one and only food they have decided to provide ... and that maybe they should consider providing a couple options.

Hey Machka, my nephew is allergic to peanuts as well. He is only 6 years old and it sucks because whenever he comes over I have to be more aware of what foods I feed him. He is the world to me so I will do anything for him. Sorry to hear that you have gone to plan events and all there was were p&j sandwiches. THAT REALLY SUCKS!!!
I too do agree that organized events need to be more aware of instances such as these. But maybe for some of these events it could be more of a money factor then anything else. Anyhow, after doing some research of my own I have switched to all natural peanut butter.

Thanks everyone!!! :)