| Some good news for those of us who likes peanut | | | | diets will lower total and LDL-cholesterol (the bad |
| butter is that researchers at Harvard University's | | | | cholesterol) levels. The peanut and peanut-butter diet |
| School of Public Health found eating a half serving (one | | | | had the added benefit of lowering triglyceride levels. |
| tablespoon) of peanut butter or a full serving peanuts | | | | Heart disease is linked to high triglycerides. The low-fat |
| or other nuts (an ounce), five or more times a week, | | | | dieters lowered cardiovascular disease risk by only 12 |
| lowers the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by as | | | | percent, while the peanut and peanut-butter dieters |
| much as 20 to 30 percent. Dr. Frank Hu, associate | | | | lowered their risk by 21 percent. |
| professor of nutrition and epidemiology says, "the body | | | | Another interesting finding at Penn State is that peanut |
| of evidence is overwhelming that peanuts and nut | | | | eaters had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) as |
| butters can reduce the risk of serious disease." | | | | compared to non-peanut eaters. High BMI (higher than |
| Many years ago I worked in a medical facility where I | | | | 25) increases your risk of obesity-related problems like |
| often snacked on peanut butter and loved it, but felt | | | | heart disease and/or diabetes. |
| guilty. The nurse practitioner in that facility told me | | | | On the negative side is that peanut butter is high in |
| peanut butter is "very" healthy for you and in fact, she | | | | calories. A single serving or two tablespoons of low-fat |
| had once practically lived on peanut butter and | | | | or regular peanut butter has about 190 calories. Just be |
| crackers while going through nursing school. I also just | | | | careful about eating a whole jar of peanut butter in |
| love a simple peanut butter fudge recipe that can be | | | | one sitting. Peanut butter as a snack or a peanut |
| whipped up in about 15 minutes. | | | | butter and jelly on whole-wheat bread is acceptable. I |
| Peanut butter contains about 90 percent peanuts and | | | | believe I put about 4 whopping tablespoons of peanut |
| is packed with vitamins A and E, folic acid, calcium, | | | | butter in my fudge recipe. I usually eat a batch all by |
| magnesium, zinc, iron and fiber. It is loaded with | | | | myself in about 2 or 3 days. If I do that only once a |
| monounsaturated, which is the so-called "good fat" that | | | | month, I should still be fine at my next doctor's |
| does not raise blood cholesterol levels. It is also virtually | | | | appointment. |
| trans fat free according to the U.S. Department of | | | | Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat |
| Agriculture. Healthy eating habits definitely include | | | | or cure any kind of a health problem. These |
| "peanut butter." Peanut butter lovers all over the world | | | | statements have not been evaluated by the Food and |
| no longer have to feel guilty. It is good for us. Yey, rah | | | | Drug Administration. Always consult with your health |
| rah for Peanut Butter. | | | | care provider about any kind of a health problem and |
| Other encouraging studies include ones done at Penn | | | | especially before beginning any kind of an exercise |
| State University where researchers compared a | | | | routine. |
| low-fat diet to one that was higher in monounsaturated | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| fat from peanuts and peanut butter. Results were both | | | | Article written 3-2007. |