Is Peanut Butter Actually Healthy For You?

(Photo Source: foodrevolution.org)

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Unless you’re allergic to peanuts, peanut butter has probably been something that you have had in your kitchen since childhood. Though you may love peanut butter it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily good for you.

The overall answer is yes. One of the most popular spreads, peanut butter is a good source of protein. Peanuts belong to the legume family, which also includes beans, peas, and lentils. Legume protein is much lower in methionine and cysteine compared to animal protein.

On top of being good for those looking for a good protein source, peanut butter is also low on carbs. Pure peanut butter contains only 20% carbs, making it suitable for a low-carb diet. One study has shown that women who ate peanut butter 5 times per week or more were at a 21% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Despite their high-calorie content, eating moderate amounts of pure peanut butter or whole peanuts is perfectly fine on a weight-loss diet. Half of the fat in peanut butter is made up of oleic acid, which is a healthy type of monounsaturated fat that is also found in high amounts in olive oil.

Though there are a lot of reasons why peanut butter is good for you, there are some negatives about it. The peanut spread is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, although this doesn’t seem as significant when you consider the high-calorie load