Here’s a confession: I’m obsessed with peanut butter. I’d even go so far as to call it an addiction. I mean, peanuts are great, but peanut butter is even better. I can literally go through a large jar of JIF Extra Crunchy peanut butter in a week. Peanut butter is not only incredibly tasty but also one of the most versatile spreads ever. You can put it on on sandwiches, fruit -- almost anything. I know I’m not the only one who feeds into the peanut butter craze, however. If there’s a BuzzFeed article on how wonderful of peanut butter is, then it’s got to be a worldwide obsession, right?
But what makes us so obsessed with this buttery spread? According this Huffington Post article, peanut butter contains the flavors we humans crave — salty, sweet, and fatty. Additionally, since peanut butter does not contain a lot of water, nor does it require much chewing, makes it easy to consume a lot at one time.
Despite its utter goodness, people are a bit skeptical about the how healthy peanut butter actually is. It has 190 calories per two tablespoon serving (which most people go above) and its full of fat. Peanut butter can also be incredibly addicting. Did you know that peanut butter support groups exist? There is even a Facebook page called Peanut Butter Addicts Anonymous.
But I’ve got great news for you: peanut butter is good for you!
Although eating peanut butter in moderation can seem nearly impossible, it has some really great nutritional benefits. It is a healthy source of not only fat, but also protein. When I was a vegan, I made sure to eat peanut butter in order to get the essential nutrients and vitamins I needed.
From my own experience, I’ve also learned that peanut butter is also very filling and satisfying. Instead of snacking on chips and dip, try eating apples with some peanut butter instead. Even though you may feel like you’re packing on the calories by adding peanut butter to fruit, you’ll end up feeling far more satisfied than if you had eaten only carbs.
So if you’re ever craving a quick healthy snack, try some peanut butter. You’re guaranteed to be satisfied.
