Peanut Butter

[Java Cafe]

I understand how and why Peanut Butter can be good for you. Essentially, it is the protein, I guess.

But, they always seem to contain "partially hydrogenated oils." That is what gives them the texture and consistency, I believe.

But, partially hydrogenated oils! They are supposed to be "like inhaling cigarette smoke. They will kill you -- slowly, over time, but as surely as you breathe. And in the meantime, they will make you fat!" (Ref: http://tinyurl.com/znrcg)

Please help me understand why I shouldn't be scared of the partially hydrogenated oils in peanut butter.

Thanks,

~ JC ~

 

[KoolDrew]

Natural PB ftw?

 

[Java Cafe]

Natural peanut butter? Is that merely peanuts in a blender (with a touch of olive oil thrown in)? That tastes nothing like the ones that come in a jar!

But, perhaps, you (or someone else) have a recipe. Would appreciate it if you can share it.

[I love peanuts! In fact, I tend to overeat peanuts to a fault. ]

 

[Deeko]

Meh. I wouldn't worry about it. There is always an "evil" in our diet that is going to kill us. It was fat, then saturated fat, then sugar, then carbs, then white bread, then trans fats....

Everything will kill you if you overdo it. Not much will in moderation.

 

[Java Cafe]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Meh. I wouldn't worry about it. There is always an "evil" in our diet that is going to kill us. It was fat, then saturated fat, then sugar, then carbs, then white bread, then trans fats....

Everything will kill you if you overdo it. Not much will in moderation.

Even so, I think I will avoid smoking. ;-)

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: Java Cafe

Originally posted by: Deeko
Meh. I wouldn't worry about it. There is always an "evil" in our diet that is going to kill us. It was fat, then saturated fat, then sugar, then carbs, then white bread, then trans fats....

Everything will kill you if you overdo it. Not much will in moderation.

Even so, I think I will avoid smoking. ;-)

You have a point. Smoking, even in moderation, is nasty.

There are some natural peanut butters that taste pretty good and spread almost as well as the "unnatural" ones. It will just take some digging around and trial and error to find them. I'm a big fan of reduced fat Jif. The difference in fat content between it and the regular isn't that great, but it costs the same and makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Natural PB ftw?

This.

I switched from the artificial PB a few months ago and I haven't looked back. Good protein source, tasty, and none of the icing sugar Q) in the artificial stuff.

 

[brikis98]

Ingredients list for natural peanut butter: Peanuts (salt, maybe). Enjoy it, it's great stuff.

 

[Kaido]

My friend convinced me to switch to Natural Peanut Butter last year after a visit to her cardiologist. He said he completely cut normal Peanut Butter out of his diet after seeing how badly the hydrogenated oils clogged veins and stuff up in the human body. Bleh

 

[Megatomic]

Natural PB is a staple of my diet. I'd rather not drink coffee than not eat PB :shocked:

 

[Java Cafe]

OK. I found the recipe for making peanut butter. As expected, it turns out to be extremely complicated. ;-)

http://babyparenting.about.com...pes/r/peanutbutter.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A824410

~ JC ~

 

[KoolDrew]

OK. I found the recipe for making peanut butter. As expected, it turns out to be extremely complicated

I wasn't referring to making your own peanut butter. Next time you go to the grocery store, look for natural peanut butter. You'll find it.

 

[Java Cafe]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

OK. I found the recipe for making peanut butter. As expected, it turns out to be extremely complicated

I wasn't referring to making your own peanut butter. Next time you go to the grocery store, look for natural peanut butter. You'll find it.

OK, I will look for Natural PB in the grocery store. Didn't know there was such a thing. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Also, I was being facetious about PB recipe being complicated; it's roasted peanuts, salt and peanut (or any) oil, blended. ]

 

[Java Cafe]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Natural PB ftw?

This.

I switched from the artificial PB a few months ago and I haven't looked back. Good protein source, tasty, and none of the icing sugar Q) in the artificial stuff.

Did you mean to post a link?

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Java Cafe

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Natural PB ftw?

This.

I switched from the artificial PB a few months ago and I haven't looked back. Good protein source, tasty, and none of the icing sugar Q) in the artificial stuff.

Did you mean to post a link?

No, he meant this, as in, this post. He was agreeing with KoolDrew.

Even regular peanut butter ain't gonna kill you dude.

 

[irishScott]

I don't know about other brands, but Jiff Extra Crunchy peanut butter has Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils, which contain negligibly low levels of trans fats, the main reason partially hydronated oils have the reputation posted in the OP.

http://lowfatcooking.about.com...aqs/f/hydrogenated.htm

Hydrogenation is the chemical process by which liquid vegetable oil is turned into solid fat. Partially hydrogenated oils contain trans fatty acids, or trans fats, which are thought to be more harmful than saturated fats. Trans fats raise levels of bad cholesterol and lower levels of good cholesterol. You can read more on this in my profile of trans fats.

When liquid vegetable oil is fully hydrogenated, however, almost no trans fats remain. The resulting fat is even more solid, taking on a hard, waxy consistency, even at room temperature. Full hydrogenation increases the amount of saturated fat, although much of it is in the form of stearic acid, which is converted by the body to oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, which doesn't raise levels of bad cholesterol. This makes fully hydrogenated fats less harmful than partially hydrogenated fats.

 

[GenHoth]

It's actually plotting to stab you in the dark night one day soon. Get your revenge in first!

 

[FDF12389]

Skippy natural peanut butter is good, you cant tell teh difference from "normal" peanut butter. It does however contain a little bit more sugar.

 

[StageLeft]

I didn't know it was that bad. I will stop buying the bad stuff, though I still have several pounds of it to eat

 

[Megatomic]

Try Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. No added sugar, but you do have to stir it when you open it and keep it refrigerated. But it tastes awesome and is very good for you. It's affordable, too.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Try Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. No added sugar, but you do have to stir it when you open it and keep it refrigerated. But it tastes awesome and is very good for you. It's affordable, too.

I get the one with honey, I ain't giving up teh sweetness. Btw, the stirrer is a pretty elegant solution to the oil separation problem. Only fits 16oz jar though.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Try Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. No added sugar, but you do have to stir it when you open it and keep it refrigerated. But it tastes awesome and is very good for you. It's affordable, too.

I get the one with honey, I ain't giving up teh sweetness. Btw, the stirrer is a pretty elegant solution to the oil separation problem. Only fits 16oz jar though.

Dude, that tool is awesome!! I am buying one now. Thanks. :beer:

 

[Kaido]

If you guys want some really good Natural Peanut Butter, check out Krema:

http://www.krema.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBCRE1

They roast their own peanuts (and they're not part of the PB recall). I've never had oil on top like store-bought natural peanut butter does. It's very sticky, but also a lot sweeter than the regular natural stuff.

 

[Megatomic]

Woohoo, I got a 6 pack of organic fruit spread while I was buying that PB stirrer. Blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry. YUMMY!!!

 

[MetalMat]

I switched to natural peanut butter a year ago and have not looked back. I find that the smuckers tends to not separate as much as the store brand stuff. I love the ingredients: Peanuts, salt. Lol