6 Reasons why you should be eating peanut butter

Nowadays, research about the food industry is constantly being performed. Specifically, there is a lot of research focused on what foods are actually healthy and which ones are not. This has allowed foods that were deemed unhealthy and fattening to be seen in a whole new light.  A perfect example of this is peanut butter. While many people think of it as an unhealthy food, in reality, it is full of nutrients and healthy properties! 

Being Fit Girls means we are always looking for healthy food and snack alternatives. Personally, I am always looking for options that are easy to incorporate into my diet and that don't require that much time to prepare.  A few weeks ago, a friend told me that I should start eating peanut butter on a daily basis. This was a little bit surprising for me since the last time that I ate peanut butter was in a peanut butter jelly sandwich when I was a teenager. This was really the last thing that I wanted to be eating now!

However, I did my homework and checked to find out if peanut butter is actually healthy or unhealthy to eat. After what I read,  I now feel like peanut butter is something that has become stigmatized. It is certainly not the first food I would think of when I think about eating healthier. But I was amazed to find out all the benefits peanut butter has to offer,  especially if  you are working out constantly! So before you decide to ditch peanut butter from your diet, keep reading.

Not only is it tasty, cheap and easy to grab when you are in a rush. It is also full of nutrients I could never think it could have. Research shows that one serving of peanut butter will give you  vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc and magnesium in small amounts. But the benefits don’t stop there, here are some of the best characteristics and benefits from peanut butter.

IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF PROTEIN

With just 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, you will be consuming 7 grams of protein. Eating protein makes you feel full for a longer period of time, but that's not even the best part. The best part is that protein is good for building and repairing muscles which means peanut butter should definitely be your friend if you work out regularly.

IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF POTASSIUM 

A lot of people have way too much sodium in their diets. The problem with sodium is that if it is consumed in large amounts, it can mess up your cardiovascular system. Peanut butter, however, is a rich source of potassium, and potassium helps to counter the dangers of consuming a lot of sodium.

IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF "HEALTHY FAT"

I feel like this is where the bad reputation started. Peanut butter is rich in fat, and a lot of people have the misconception that eating any fats will make them gain weight. But, this is only true if you are consuming saturated fats. Peanut butter contains both saturated and unsaturated fats, which are known as “healthy fats” . However, the level of unsaturated fat is much higher than the saturated fat levels, which means that peanut butter is a great source of “healthy fats”. Think about it this way, peanut butter is as good of a source of healthy fats as an avocado is!

IT HELPS BOOST ENERGY

Because of the amounts of healthy fats and proteins it has, peanut butter contains calories that will help you boost your energy. It's best if you eat it for breakfast or before or after a workout to either boost your energy levels or help your muscles recover faster.

IT IS RICH IN FIBER

Not only is peanut butter rich in protein, but for every 2 tablespoons that you eat of it you will also be eating 2 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for our digestive system to function properly.

IT HELPS BOOST YOUR WEIGHT LOSS

Eating peanut butter has many benefits, but this one is definitely one of the best! It may sound a little crazy that something that some people consider “junk food” could help boost your weight loss.  Because of the protein, healthy fats and fiber content, when you eat peanut butter you actually feel fuller longer. If you feel full for a longer period, then you are less likely to crave for unhealthy snacks. If you eat less unhealthy snacks, your caloric intake will be lower. Voila, your weight loss just got easier!

Now you know why you should incorporate peanut butter into your diet. However, don’t think that this means you can eat it carelessly! Go for 2 tablespoons per day.  I like to eat it in the morning on a toasted bread with some sliced banana and strawberries, or after a workout with some apple. I hope you are as convinced as I am about peanut butter. Did this 6 reasons convinced you to give it a try? Or do you already eat peanut butter regularly? Let me know in the comments!