Peanuts and Peanut Butter are Good for Your Diet

April 2 was National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Peanuts and peanut butter are good for your health. Research studies suggest peanuts may be good for your heart, and eating them may make it a little easier to lose weight. They're a good source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, niacin, folate and vitamin E. Peanuts and peanut butter also contain resveratrol, which works as an antioxidant.

Peanuts and heart health: Peanuts are heart healthy because they're a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids. Eating peanuts may help lower your total cholesterol. The United States Food and Drug Administration allows the following claim to be placed on the packaging of foods that contain whole or chopped peanuts:Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts such as peanuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

One and a half ounces of peanuts is equal to about 50 nuts, and would have about 240 calories -- but you can divide that into two different snacks. Or you can use peanuts in your recipes or sprinkle them on a salad.

Peanuts and weight loss: Peanuts are not low in calories because they're energy-dense. But as long as you watch your portions, eating them may help you lose weight. Studies indicate that people who eat nuts, including peanuts, tend to have lower body mass indexes. So how can food that's high in calories help you lose weight? Part of the reason may be that peanuts are high in good fats, protein and fiber, so just a small serving can satisfy your hunger and keep you feeling fuller longer. The key to eating peanuts and losing weight is to watch your serving sizes closely. Next time you get hungry between meals, eat one ounce of peanuts (about 35 individual nuts). That will add about 160 calories to your daily intake, but may tide you over until your next meal and this may help stop you from overeating when that meal is served.

Peanuts and weight gain: It may seem a little odd that the same food can be good for losing and gaining weight. But it's true -- a small amount of peanuts may help curb your appetite, but they provide extra calories and encourage weight gain when eaten in larger amounts. If you want to gain weight, you should do so by increasing your intake of nutritious, energy dense foods, not by eating more junk foods. Since peanuts and peanut butter are higher in calories -- but still nutritious -- they're a good choice for adding extra calories or try a healthier Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich.