Is there such as thing as too much peanut butter/peanuts? It is high in fat - but it is healthy fat, correct? Should one still limit the amount that they eat?
Well, of course you can eat too much of anything! But, in general, nuts are very healthy, although high in fat, calories and sodium (unless they are lightly salted or unsalted). They contain mostly mono-unsaturated fat, which is heart healthy. If you're watching calories, nuts and peanut butter are calorie dense, but also filling due to the protein & fat content.
With peanut butter- it is really best to get natural peanut butter (the type where the oil is on the top and you have to mix it in). This type is typically made with nuts and/or salt ONLY and doesn't have any other added ingredients like palm oil, molasses, sugar, etc.
Palm oil, which is saturated, replaced trans fat in most peanut butters. So, even if the label says "natural", it may have palm oil, which you don't want. Saturated fat increases blood cholesterol, and a new study actually suggests it may affect fertility in men. Drop the butter, too!
I would not pour the oil off on natural peanut butter, because then you're left with a clump of nuts that won't spread on a sandwich. Instead, store the peanut butter upside down in your pantry before and after mixing it. Gravity will make the oil go to the bottom and make it easier to mix up each time.
Most natural butters will say "refrigerate after opening", which will make it more solid when you want to use it. You can put it in the microwave for ~30 seconds to warm it up. Honestly though, I don't put it in the frig. We go through PB so fast in my house that I'm not worried about contamination.
Hope that helps!
Lisa
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