Perfect Peanut Butter!

From peanut butter stuffed chocolate cups to PB &J, can you think of any iconic food combinations that don’t involve peanut butter? It can be creamy, chunky, chewy, and spreadable. You can eat it straight out of the jar, or you can serve it in an infinite number of variations with any part of your meal, any time of day.

Peanut butter is a family favorite food for a reason. It is rich in many micro-and macronutrients that keep your body fueled all day long. Peanut butter has also been associated with improvements in some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Another great thing about peanut butter is that it can be added to any dish and make it taste better. From breakfast to dessert, the possibilities are endless.

Peanut Butter and Your Health

When you pick up a jar of peanut butter, you probably don’t realize you are holding a superfood.  Peanut butter is actually really good for you! Here are some of the health benefits associated with peanut butter:

1. Great source of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins: With every serving of peanut butter, the recommended amount per serving is 2 tbsp, you will receive a good amount of protein, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, as well as vitamin B6.

2. Heart Health: In addition to helping your body feel fueled throughout the day, studies have shown that a high intake of nuts can lead to a reduced risk of mortality from heart disease as well as other causes. This is due to the many nutrients found in peanuts, including monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, niacin, magnesium, and vitamin E.

3. Managing blood sugar levels: Peanut butter is considered a relatively low-carbohydrate food that also contains plenty of fats, proteins, and fiber. Having these characteristics mean that peanut butter, without any added sugar, will not have any significant impact on blood glucose levels. This is great for everyone, but especially for individuals with diabetes. Peanut butter is also a good source of magnesium, which is an essential nutrient for those with diabetes as well.

Peanut Butter Recipes

While you may be tempted to just dig right into the peanut butter jar, there are a few good reasons to wait. There are plenty of delicious recipes you can try that utilize peanut butter! Here are a couple of ideas for you to celebrate the wonderful food that is peanut butter:

1. Smoothie: There is no shortage of variations to the peanut butter and fruit combos you can make. It can be a nutritious and filling breakfast or a quick and delicious dessert. Add in some chocolate for the ultimate chocolate peanut butter pairing!

2. Snack: Peanut butter can be the ultimate snack food, and even better, it’s kid-friendly as well! Pair 2 tbsps. of peanut butter with some cut fruit, celery, rice cake, the options are endless.

3. Sauce: It might sound surprising to some, but there are delicious peanut butter sauces that aren’t just for dessert. You can also make them savory or even spicy and add them to chicken, salads, and so much more.

4. Sandwich: The classic PB&J sandwich is iconic and isn’t going anywhere. But you can make it even better by adding some slices of banana, or anything else you fancy.

5. Sweet: As mentioned before, peanut butter and chocolate are the ultimate pairing, and whether you make it as a cake, ice cream, cookies, or even yogurt, there is no limit to the delicious peanut butter desserts and sweets that can be created!

You Turn to Take Action: What recipe do you plan to make using peanut butter? Let me know in the comments below.

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