Ode to Peanut Butter

Sidenote: It's been a while since my last update as I have been working a lot lately! There will be more frequent updates from now on, so please continue to check back daily! :)

I've spoken with many first time lifestyle-changers (I loathe the word dieter) who believe that peanut butter is off limits because it is calorie dense and contains fat. The thing is, peanut butter is (in my opinion) a must-have for anyone who is looking to live a healthier lifestyle.

It's filling - it contains both fiber and protein (about 2g and 8g per serving, respectively), which help to keep you feeling fuller longer. Fiber & protein take longer to digest than carbohydrates, so it will move through your digestive system more slowly (and it also takes more calories overall to digest!).

It's nutritious - Peanut butter contains Vitamin E (an antioxidant), magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin B6. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that consuming one serving of nuts or peanut butter at least 5 days a week can lower your risk of developing diabetes by almost 30%. So eat up!

Peanut butter also contains healthy monounsaturated fats. Remember everyone: fat does not make you fat! It is an essential part of a healthy diet, so don't be afraid of it. Just remember to indulge in the good fats, and avoid the saturated kinds.

One last note - not all peanut butters are created equal. Go for an all natural brand that has the following ingredients listed: "peanuts". You don't want to go for peanut butters with added partially hydrogenated oils, salt or sugars.