The Paleo Diet and Peanuts
Are Peanuts Paleo?
For those who don't know, I started the Paleo diet last Monday for my arthritis. I have lost 3 pounds so I'm quite pleased but will probably be months before I see significant changes in my arthritis. As I stated last week, I won't follow the paleo program 100 percent of the time. I will occasionally have gluten, such as bread, pasta, beans. Natural peanut butter will not be off my list because I believe in the benefits of eating peanuts, and recent studies prove my point.
Study 1
New research by the British Journal of Nutrition found that eating peanut butter or peanuts for breakfast stabilizes your blood sugar for the whole day.
The researchers looked at the blood levels in women in a three phase study. The first group of women in the study, had 3 tablespoons for peanut butter or 1.5 ounces of peanuts for breakfast. Group two didn't eat peanuts or peanut butter at all. Both groups were instructed to eat a high carbohydrate lunch of strawberry jam and white bread.
Results
The women who ate peanut butter or peanuts for breakfast felt fuller throughout the day compared to the women who didn't consume any peanuts. Researchers found that peanuts promote an appetite suppressant hormone called peptide YY or PYY and peanut butter suppressed the appetite even more so than eating just peanuts.
Study 2
In a recent study, they found that individuals that ate peanuts or tree nuts (pecans, walnut, almonds) daily had a lower risk of dying compared to individuals that didn't consume or ate only a small amount nuts occasionally. According to a study by JAMA(The Journal of Internal Medicine) that was published on March 2, 2015, people who consumed peanuts or tree nuts had a lower risk of developing heart related medical issues than their lower nut consumption counterparts. Read more about this study on LiveScience.
Paleo Fanatics Don't be Afraid of the Peanut
If you are not allergic and you enjoy eating peanuts or peanut butter then go ahead as long as you consume a serving size of 2-3 tablespoons or 1 ounce servings of nuts per day.
Here's a peanut butter smoothie recipe for you to try courtesy of Femme Fitale Fit Club.
I wouldn't want to give up my gluten or peanut butter either, although I did give up PB for the first year of my journey. Great progress so far going Paleo!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your Paleo journey! Love PB, so more reasons to keep eating it. Thanks! #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the peanut studies and congrats on your weight loss. Hope it eases the arthritis as well # wow linkup
ReplyDeleteGreat points Sheila! Nuts (and nut butters) have so many health benefits that it seems like consuming them in moderation is better than avoiding them entirely. I hope it helps your arthritis! #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this smoothie hands down. It is filling, delicious, healthy and will keep you for hours. Thanks for continuing to share your paleo experience. Can't wait to hear more. #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteI could never imagine trying to give up peanuts or peanut butter. They are a staple in my house!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love peanuts maybe I should eat more!!
ReplyDeleteI hated peanut butter as a kid, probably because it was Jif or Peter Pan loaded with sugar and garbage. Now I love it--just smashed peanuts!
ReplyDeleteI hated peanut butter as a kid, probably because it was Jif or Peter Pan loaded with sugar and garbage. Now I love it--just smashed peanuts!
ReplyDeleteHaving Trouble STICKING with the Paleo Diet?
ReplyDeleteWant to eat some delicious recipes as soon as TONIGHT?
Check out the: Paleo Hacks Cookbook.