Importance of well balance diet
All food contains all of the nutrients we need to be healthy, it is necessary to eat various foods in sufficient amounts. A good diet will include many different foods, and sufficient in quantity and quality to meet an individual’s need for food energy and other micro nutrients.
PEANUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER
Typical serving size:
1 oz or 28 g of peanuts; 1 to 2 Tbsp or 15 to 30 mL of peanut butter
HOW THEY HARM
High in trans fats
Allergies
WHAT THEY HEAL
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Low energy
Despite its name, the peanut is not actually a nut
It is a pulse and belongs to the legume family
along with lentils and beans
The majority of the peanuts grown in North America are ground into
peanut butter
The high fat content of peanuts makes them easy to grind into a paste, but the oil quickly
turns rancid when exposed to oxygen and light
Many commercial peanut butters are made with
preservatives, stabilizers, and added salt and sugar; you can avoid these ingredients by buying fresh-
ground peanut butter made solely from nuts
Use this type of peanut butter within 2 weeks
The oil that
rises to the top of the jar can be poured off to reduce the fat content
Health Benefits
Protects against diabetes
The Nurses’ Health Study found that women who ate peanut butter at least
five times a week were as much as 30% less likely to develop diabetes
Wards off heart disease
Peanuts are rich in plant compounds called sterols, one of the top proven
cholesterol busters
Eating peanuts several times a week keeps high blood pressure under control
Both are risk factors for heart disease
Provides a ready source of energy
In moderation, peanuts and peanut butter make satisfying
healthy for children, who need extra dietary fat for proper growth and development
About 15 peanuts
or one tablespoon (15 mL) contains about 95 calories, with 4 g of protein, 6 g of healthy fats, and
significant amounts of potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin E
Health Risks
Unhealthy fats
Peanut butters often contain hydrogenated vegetable oils
This means they are full of
trans-fatty acids, which are bad for the heart
Check the ingredient list and labels for hydrogenated
ingredients
Allergic reactions
In some people, peanut products may trigger serious allergic reactions
Symptoms can range from a tingling sensation in the mouth to hives and, in extreme cases, to
anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency
Allergies
Roll small balls of peanut butter in oats for a fun snack
Whisk peanut butter, lime juice, and soy sauce to marinate flank steak
Coat chicken tenders in chopped peanuts
Toss roasted peanuts into a pork stir-fry
Buying Tip
s
Read the ingredient labels carefully before buying peanut butter
Avoid ones with added sugar, salt, or
trans fats
Opt for unsalted peanuts and you’ll save more than 200 mg of sodium per 1-oz serving
Storing Tips
Refrigerate or freeze shelled nuts
Their oil turns rancid within 2 weeks
Never eat peanuts that are moldy or have an “off” taste; molds that grow on peanuts create aflatoxins,
substances that cause liver cancer
It’s best to store peanut butter in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to year, where the darkness
prevents the loss of B vitamins and the cold retards oil separation
2 hours is how much longer your appetite can be satisfied after
eating peanut butter instead of a high-carb snack