6 questions about peanut butter –

A peanut butter it is a darling of culinary specialists and fitness influencers and the protagonist of many pre-workout snacks. But although many people have already adhered to the food, there are still some doubts about its real benefits. After all, is she very caloric? Isn’t it too greasy? With the help of Caroline Guerreiro, a nutritionist and consultant at Vittadely, from São Paulo, we went to understand what the peanut paste is.

1. Which version to choose?

The nutritionist claims that the more natural, the better. “The healthier version should only contain the peanut roasted,” he explains. The recipe, then, couldn’t be easier: just process two cups full of the ingredient for fifteen minutes, and voilá – a creamy and homogeneous paste is formed.

Even with all the practicality and speed of preparation, there are still people who prefer not to waste time and buy the ready-made options available in the supermarket. In this case, attention must be paid to the packaging label, as they can hide other ingredients that are not friendly to the organism. “Some contain sugarsalt, syrups, sweeteners, preservatives and flavorings”, he says.

It is also worth remembering that each tablespoon of natural peanut butter contains about 115 calories. Therefore, if you are looking for a balanced diet, it is not recommended to end up with a whole jar at once.

2. Is it too greasy?

Yes, peanut butter has a high content of fats, but those of the mono- and polyunsaturated type. These are the so-called “good” fats, also present in avocados and fish such as salmon, and which act to protect the heart, regulate bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

3. Does it have fibers?

To the fibers they are also present in the food – every two tablespoons, it is estimated that there are about 3 grams of them, or approximately 10% of the recommended daily amount. And everyone must be tired of knowing the benefits they can bring: they help control blood sugar levels, improve intestinal function…

4. Do I only need to eat pre-workout?

Contrary to what many people think, peanut butter has advantages when consumed both pre- and post-workout. Because it contains proteins and is a good source of energy, it goes very well before bodybuilding or muscle-strengthening activities.

But there is another substance that makes the paste also useful after a sweat session, the polyphenol resveratrol. It stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the muscles and helps to recover the muscles after exertion.

5. How to consume?

The possible combinations are endless. “Thinking about an afternoon snack, it’s interesting to combine it with wholemeal bread, which guarantees energy, and fruit, which brings even more fiber”, says the nutritionist. If you’re thinking about the evening supper, forget about the bread. Thus, you save some good calories and facilitate digestion before bed.

6. And what else?

It doesn’t end there. “Peanuts also contain the so-called micronutrients magnesium, calcium, selenium, B complex vitamins and vitamin E”, adds Caroline. Can we make a living from this alone, production?