I would only add that peanut butter is healthy IF you eat natural peanut butter with NO hydrogenated oils/fats...the processed stuff is pretty bad. One of the best things you can do is eliminate all hydrogenated oils/fats from your diet and processed peanut butters have tons of them, mostly.
Peanut butter and jelly
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Chief Longwind Of The North
Certified/Certifiable
I won't repeat anything about the transfats (hydrogenated fats) in peanut butter. But I will add something about the nutritional value of natural peanut butter. Peanuts are not truly members of the nut family. They are legumes, like peas and beans, and contain the same nutritional benefits. But they are naturally high in fats (where do you think all of the peanut oil comes from?
) And thoug that fat is mostly mono, and poly-unsaturate, it is stiff a fat, which means that it is calorie intense and can lead to high triglycerides, and weight gain if too much es eaten.
Fortunately, most of us smear a tbs. or so on our bread and add whatever we add. That won't be enough to cause any problems and will add fiber and protien to your diet. Peanut butter, used wisely, is a great and nutritious food.
And jelly, if you opt for the sugarless varieties, are high in the natural vitamins and minerals common to fresh fruit. The thing to remember is that in the jelled for (jams too), you are getting more fruit than you would normally eat in a serving. But again, if you use a single tbs. or so in your sandwich, the health benefits far outweigh any sugar intake. Again you get the soluble fibers, vitamins, isoflavones, etc. All of this is good stuff.
Use whole grain breads for extra flavor, texture, and nutrition. You will find that if you aren't used to it, the flavor will be strong. But after a couple of days, if you are like the great majority of us, it will soon become the preffered flavor over store-bought white bread (truly boring stuff).
So the short answer is, yes, PBJ's are good for you, if you eat the real thing.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North
) And thoug that fat is mostly mono, and poly-unsaturate, it is stiff a fat, which means that it is calorie intense and can lead to high triglycerides, and weight gain if too much es eaten.Fortunately, most of us smear a tbs. or so on our bread and add whatever we add. That won't be enough to cause any problems and will add fiber and protien to your diet. Peanut butter, used wisely, is a great and nutritious food.
And jelly, if you opt for the sugarless varieties, are high in the natural vitamins and minerals common to fresh fruit. The thing to remember is that in the jelled for (jams too), you are getting more fruit than you would normally eat in a serving. But again, if you use a single tbs. or so in your sandwich, the health benefits far outweigh any sugar intake. Again you get the soluble fibers, vitamins, isoflavones, etc. All of this is good stuff.
Use whole grain breads for extra flavor, texture, and nutrition. You will find that if you aren't used to it, the flavor will be strong. But after a couple of days, if you are like the great majority of us, it will soon become the preffered flavor over store-bought white bread (truly boring stuff).
So the short answer is, yes, PBJ's are good for you, if you eat the real thing.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North
Always Hungry
Cook
Caine said:
I was being somewhat sarcastic when I said "butter" referring to PB. I guess
that wasn't apparent. Anyhow, I know it deals with the consistency. Nuts
contain "good fats" that our bodies need. After all, our bodies need to
consume fat in order to burn fat. I just am not a big fan of the taste of the
all natural peanut butters. Thank goodness for jams/jellies.
Cheers
Constance
Master Chef
I have a friend that spreads peanut butter on strips of thick-sliced bacon, rolls them up, sticks with a toothpicks, and broils until bacon is crisp. They are quite delicious!
grumblebee
Contest Winner
Constance said:
Yikes.. that is loaded with saturated fat. I'm sure it is tasty, but I'd be scared of a "dish" like that!
2 strips of bacon w/ 2 tbsp peanut butter = 260 calories and 23g of fat!
I think I'll pass on that one.
licia
Executive Chef
My dad really liked peanut butter and crackers (always Jif and Ritz crackers). I know it isn't the wisest thing to eat, but if I've worked in the yard and got too tired, I can eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drink a glass of milk and am restored quicker than anything else. I don't do it often, but when I need it, nothing else works as well.
Claire
Master Chef
Husband was recommended to have PB on Triscuits (I buy the low fat) as his evening snack by the dietician he went to when he was told to straighten up his diet or go on insulin. He eats 3 crackers with a smear of PB on each. His doctor says he's amazed -- that his numbers come out so perfectly now that he has a hard time believeing he diagnosed him as diabetic to begin with. It's funny because I really didn't change how I cook at all, just changed the timing of when he eats and use measuring cups to serve the starches.
bethzaring
Master Chef
When I read the original question, is pb&j healthy, I thought, of course it is. But I was thinking of my pb&j's. I am passionate about good bread and make all the breads we eat. In my sandwich bread, I use only whole wheat flour, no white flour. And, one can not say it too many times, use natural peanut butters, do not consume hydrogenated peanut butters, bad for the heart and arteries. And then the best part, my homemade wild black raspberry jam, seeds and all....sigh...... I usually use one slice of bread to make a half sandwich.
Diane1415
Senior Cook
I have to add my two cents
As a health nut and vegan I have to say...
NO peanut butter is not as healthy as other nut butters. Try almond butter or cashew butter and be sure they are without hydrogenated oils or fats. If you purchace them at a health food store you will have better luck.
The healthy jelly would be that made without sugar or artificial sweeteners such as Just Fruit.
And of course on whole wheat bread or another wholegrain bread.
As a health nut and vegan I have to say...
NO peanut butter is not as healthy as other nut butters. Try almond butter or cashew butter and be sure they are without hydrogenated oils or fats. If you purchace them at a health food store you will have better luck.
The healthy jelly would be that made without sugar or artificial sweeteners such as Just Fruit.
And of course on whole wheat bread or another wholegrain bread.
Barb33
Assistant Cook
1 tbls. of pb on a slice of whole wheat bread or believe it or not. PB on celery is good and is recomended for a snack on the mediterranean diet which I am on. It has proven to be quite successful for me. I am loosing weight and enjoying some very tasty recipes.
