Many of us think of peanut butter as a high-protein wonder food, and in many ways we are right. It’s high in heart-healthy fats and other nutrients such as Vitamin E and Magnesium. It’s even a good source of copper, which supports bone health and immune function. But health experts warn that you shouldn’t be deceived by the “healthy” reputation of this nut-based spread. There are some major health downsides to eating it. And, as always, you must read labels closely and not assume that all peanut butter products on the shelf are created equal.
Peanut Butter
“If you want to gain weight, add peanut butter. If not, avoid it,” Joy Dixon, MPH, CHC of Order Up Vegan explains. Yikes!
“This popular spread is a common allergen that can add inches if consumed too frequently,” she warns, advising that you should opt for a portion-controlled (1-2 teaspoons) serving of almond butter instead.
And as with most products, the type of peanut butter can determine whether it’s good or bad for you. And consumers must be aware of how food manufacturers introduce dangerous ingredients to make their products more appealing or longer-lasting on shelves.
“Peanut butter manufacturers are sneaky so it really pays to read the ingredient list on the jar,” integrative nutrition health coach Lozzy Bee of Gut Feelings with Lozzy explains.
You should avoid peanut butter with more than two ingredients on the label, she explains.
“A good, healthy peanut butter should be just peanuts or peanuts and a small amount of salt. Manufacturers often add hydrogenated vegetable oils (highly inflammatory to the body) and sugar (adding to our daily consumption),” she warns yikes.
But the ones marketed as “reduced fat” come with their own slew of problems (in fact, it may be the worst of all).
“Reduced fat peanut butter is often where these sneaking ingredients lie,” she says.
