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Tuesday, Jul 05th 2011
5 Reasons You Can Lose Weight With Peanuts
Among the benefits of eating peanuts is one that resonates with nearly everybody (and makes everyone happy, if they love—and previously eschewed—peanuts): peanuts can help with weight loss.
No, I'm not going to present yet another crazy fad diet, like eat unlimited amounts of peanuts and peanut butter and you're guaranteed to drop 10 pounds in one week.
Eating peanuts while you're trying to lose weight seems like an oxymoron, right?
When I told my friend Isabelle about the connection, she eyed me skeptically. So I told her to make sure to read this post for some solid information. And, besides that, there's a chance for her—and any of you—to win some yummy peanut products, including red-skin peanuts, boiled peanuts, peanut flour and a gourmet peanut spread. (I feel like Forest Gump when I write this. Only with him, it was shrimp...pan-fried, deep-fried, stir-fried…pineapple shrimp, shrimp salad, coconut shrimp…I think he left out shrimp with peanuts).
But before I tell you how to enter the contest, let me tell you how peanuts can help weight loss.
- Since peanuts and peanut butter are packed with fiber and protein, they keep you satisfied and full for a long time, helping to manage your hunger.
- Because of their protein and fiber, peanuts and peanut butter will stick with you for about 2 1/2 hours vs. the half hour you'll get from high-carbohydrate foods, according to one study.
- Peanuts can increase your metabolic rate. When researchers studied resting energy expenditure on peanut and peanut butter eaters, they found that it was 11 percent greater after regular peanut consumption for 19 weeks compared to the baseline.
- The fat in peanuts (the "good fat") provides satiety and taste satisfaction, so you don't feel deprived.
- Since peanuts stabilize your blood sugar with their low glycemic index (meaning they are digested more slowly and release sugar gradually into the bloodstream), they provide long-lasting energy and decrease cravings.
And now for the fun part. To win, please post your most inventive recipe or use for peanuts by 5 p.m. EST, July 6. It could be an unlikely or unexpected combination or something fairly common but with a twist. We'll choose the most original and announce the winner. As always, make sure to include your e-mail address so you can be notified. Once notified, you must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected. Sorry, contest is open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!
For more information on peanuts, click here and for more information on weight management, click here.
Comments
May 29, 2012 12:May 12 | TERRI ENGELMANN said
EASY/ FAST / YUMMY!!!
WHO DOES NOT LOVE DARK CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER! I TAKE A PIECE OF A DARK CHOCOLATE BAR DIP IN THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR LIKE IT IS MY DIP! I AM AN LPN IN AMBULATORY SURGERY AND I KNOW THAT DARK CHOCLATE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART AND BLOOD SUGAR JUST LIKE THE PEANUT BUTTER! IT IS A WIN WIN COMBO JUST EAT HALF A DARK CHOCOLATE BAR AND A FEW DIPS OF PEANUT BUTTER EVERYDAY! DON'T GO OVER BOARD JUST CAUSE IT TASTE GREAT! IT WILL FILL YOU UP TOO!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 19:Jul 7 | sarah henry said
Jul 11, 2011 13:Jul 1 | Merr said
I love peanut butter - but
I love peanut butter - but never knew this secret that you describe here about the nut itself! Fun to learn about that :)
Jul 08, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Jane Boursaw said
LOVE hearing that peanuts are
LOVE hearing that peanuts are not only ok, but excellent on a weight loss plan. Plus, I love peanuts anyway - so glad to hear they're a good choice while I'm trying to lose weight.
Jul 06, 2011 19:Jul 7 | Melanie said
Funny, when I'm crazy snacky
Funny, when I'm crazy snacky a PB sandwich will always stop the junk food cravings!
Jul 06, 2011 16:Jul 4 | ruth pennebaker said
peanuts = healthy
Peanut butter on the breakfast table? What a wonderful idea. So glad to hear something I love -- and eat, anyway -- is healthy. That almost never happens to me.
Jul 06, 2011 15:Jul 3 | Kris @ Attainable Sustainable said
I find that a handful of nuts
I find that a handful of nuts can satiate me when I'm hungry between meals, so this makes sense.
Can I share my son's recipe for a peanut-peanut butter and jelly? He spreads peanut butter on one piece of bread and jelly on another. Then he covers the peanut butter with a layer of roasted peanuts and tops it with the jelly slice. Crazy kid.
Jul 06, 2011 10:Jul 10 | Living Large said
Jul 06, 2011 09:Jul 9 | Donna Hull said
I like to add peanuts to
I like to add peanuts to green salad that's topped with strawberries and onions. The combination of peanuts, onions and strawberries really adds flavor to the salad, especially with a good quality balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
I can't imagine peanut butter with tuna salad as Vera described. Guess I'll need to try it.
Jul 06, 2011 08:Jul 8 | Nancy Monson said
One expert also told me that
One expert also told me that a portion of nuts pass through your body unabsorbed, so you don't consume all of their calories. I think nuts definitely can help with satiety and weight loss, you just have to be very, very careful not to have more than a handful!
Jul 06, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Sheryl said
I never heard that, Nancy;
I never heard that, Nancy; how interesting. I wonder if it is true. And although it's tempting to take more than a handful, it's amazing how a handful can be satisfying.
Jul 06, 2011 06:Jul 6 | Sandra Gordon said
Thx for the peanut info. Now
Thx for the peanut info. Now I won't feel so guilty when swipe gobs of peanut butter straight from the jar.
Jul 06, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Sheryl said
Oh, you do that TOO?
Oh, you do that TOO? Something about that is just plain irresistible, isn't it?
Jul 05, 2011 21:Jul 9 | Kristen said
My daughter makes a peanut
My daughter makes a peanut butter banana split using a whole wheat tortilla (or pita) slathered with peanut butter, banana slices and a little drizzle of honey. Roll it up and you can carry it anywhere.
I'm happy to hear about the health benefits of peanuts. We use them anywhere/everywhere we can. My hubby makes a mean bbq sauce by starting with a cup of 100% cranberry juice and boiling it down until it halved (good for your urinary tract!), then he adds about 1 1/2 of our favorite bbq sauce, mixing it, then finishes it off with a tablespoon of peanut butter to cut the sweetness. Add salt and pepper to taste and you've got a tangy sauce for dipping or slathering.
I could go on, but I'm sure you can tell, I love peanuts;)
Jul 05, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Kerry Dexter said
peanuts!
one of the things I enjoy when vivsiting Canada is having peanut butter on the breakfast table in most restaurants along with the jams and butter...
unlikely ways we use them?
Adding a bit fresh ground peanut butter to (vegetarian, but I expect it's work with meat too)chili gives body and a nice depth to the spicy tomato base
sprinkling fresh peanuts over pasta, especially pasta primavera
Jul 06, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Sheryl said
I agree, Kerry. I always am
I agree, Kerry. I always am relieved to find peanut butter on the table - it comes in handy in case I don't like anything else, or need a big protein boost. Thanks for sharing your recipe ideas. I especially love the pasta combo.
Jul 05, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Vera Marie Badertscher said
Peanuts with tuna
My family recipe for tuna salad includes peanut butter. My daughters in law refuse to use it, saying it is bizarre, but tuna salad just doesn't get any better than when you add a couple of spoons of peanut butter along with the mayo and relish.
(We also make peanut butter sandwiches with bannanas or with cucumbers, which makes some people raise eyebrows.)
Vera
Jul 06, 2011 14:Jul 2 | Sheryl said
How totally unexpected to add
How totally unexpected to add peanut butter to tuna salad. I'll have to try that!
