The Peanut Butter Diet, Does it Work?
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
People love peanut butter, unless, of course you have an allergy to peanuts. Americans, as a whole consume 800 million pounds of peanut butter a year. Even if you don’t have an allergy, you may stray away from peanut butter because of the 190, on the average, for every 2 tablespoons. But, there is good news. Recent research now shows that peanut butter is actually a very healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Even if you are watching your calories.
It is healthy in many ways. With its healthy monosaturated fat, can lower your risk of a serious heart disease and even diabetes. Peanut butter can also help you shed those added, extra pounds. With the peanut butter diet you can shed extra fat and weight. By having 2 level tablespoons of peanut butter a day, for women and three for men, it has been proven that weight loss will happen at about 1/2 a pound a day, which is 25 pounds in a year. By having 1,500 calories for women and 2,200 a day for men, the study states that peanut butter dieters stuck it out and they maintained their weight for over 18 months. The key to this weight loss is portion control and knowing when and what to pass on eating and how much is too much.
Reduced fat peanut butter is the best way to go when trying this diet. You get less monounsaturated fats and you save all those unnecessary added calories to your weight loss plan.
Some diet foods to try with adding peanut butter are:
• Toasted whole grain waffles topped with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• Microwave 2 tbs. peanut butter for about 1 minutes and drizzle it over fat-free frozen yogurt.
• Stuff a large celery rib with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• Fill 1 large dates with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• Toast 1 slice of wheat bread and spread with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• In a blender whip together 1 cup fat-free milk and 1 small ripe banana with 2 tbs. toasted wheat germ and 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• Spread a fat-free almond granola bar with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
• Stir up 1/4 cup dry old-fashioned oats, 1 cup fat-free milk, and 4 dried apricot halves, cut into quarters. Microwave for 3 minutes, then stir in 2 tbs. chunky peanut butter and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon.
• In a microwave dessert dish, microwave 2 tbs. peanut butter until melted (about 1 minute). Quickly stir in 3/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt. Top with a small sliced banana.
• Slice a Red Delicious apple, and spread with 2 tbs. peanut butter.
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Earthly Eating Recipe
Squash and Saffron Rice
Serves: 4 to 6
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup finely minced red onion
1 1/2 cups jasmine rice or other long-grain rice
Small pinch of saffron threads, crumbled
6 large squash blossoms, slivered, out skin and flesh only (about 2 medium squash)
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 1 minute. Add rice and saffron, and stir to coat. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, until opaque.
2. Add slivered squash blossoms, broth, salt, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Cover; reduce to the lowest setting and simmer for 15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let steam 10 minutes longer. Fluff and serve immediately.
Happy Eating!
