Grondar

Hey guys/gals.

A few months ago I posted here about peanut-butter, and received feedback that I should use real/natural peanut butter instead of Jif, etc. I have been doing this, and eat two peanut-butter and bannanna sandwhiches with honey every day.

I also mentioned that every day I eat the same lunch, which is: 2 PB&Ban. Sandwhiches, 2 Nature Valley granola bars (1 pack), 1 Breyer's lowfat yogurt, and a fruit (usually an apple or pear). I drink a glass of water or milk.

The only aspect of the meal above that I worry about being "un-healthy" is the peanut butter part of the sandwhiches. For breakfast I always have oatmeal, and supper is usually what the folks make (chicken, turkey, we don't really eat cows).. But breakfast and lunch are consistent.

I don't eat junk food, or drink soda or alcohol. I basically drink water and milk, occasionally some juice.

I noticed that peanut-butter has a fair amount of fat in it, especially given the serving size, and I am mostly curious if having 2 PB sandwhiches a day is "ok"?

Then again, I don't really eat a lot of fatty foods, so I think I might be alright, but I'd appreciate some feedback, because I am not totally sure.

I am not making an effort to eat totally healthy, but I kind of am, in that I enjoy it and think that it ties in well with running (which I also do).

I find that it does feel good to eat well, partly because I know quite a few people (friends and others) that go and get wasted off their ass 3 nights a week. That isn't something that interests me, as I see it as being counter-productive to trying to be healthy and fit, so I don't do it, but I guess it does make my peanut-butter concerns seem minimal..

Some feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I do eat the same lunch every day, and that is largely why I want to make sure I'm eating reasonably healthily.. Because if I'm not, I'd like to make changes so that the "repetetion diet" is good for me.

Thanks!

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chickentribs

It isnt the best and not the worst - how do you like that answer? Peanut Butter is high in protein but high in surgar (which translates into carbohydrates). Honestly, the granola bars are probably the worst part of your lunch - very high in fat and carbs.

It is good to realize that you are doing so much right, not to let yourself get to hung up on the small things. You should enjoy what you eat, right? If you wanted to you could replace the sandwich with some lean deli meat on occassion just to mix it up a bit and you won't lose the protein. Maybe keep the bananna on the side too - PB & bananna, huh?

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and most oft there Where most it promises
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dtheriault

The banana is great. I wouldn't worry too much about carbs if they're coming from a natural high fiber souce. Fiber like that found in bananas helps you feel full and takes longer to digest that most high carb foods.

I would give up the granola bars for some veggies like brocolli, bell peppers, or a small cabbage or spinach salad with a light dressing. Also, I would think about just having one sandwich with a bit more peanut butter and banana. Whenever I want to lose weight I stop eating as much bread and start stacking the fillings and it really helps. If you use a filling natural high fiber bread you won't want two sandwiches anyways.

Lastly, you might want to occasionally switch peanut butter for almond butter. It's better for you.

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Unless you are the freakin Highlander, what is the point in learning how to fight with a sword?

archpaladin

Almond butter? Where do you find that?

Redlemon

There's also soy butter; Trader Joe's sells it. They're pretty nationwide, I think.

dtheriault

From Ask Dr. Sears

Here's our list of favorite nuts, ranked by their nutrient density. These varieties contain the most protein, fiber, B-vitamins, calcium, minerals, and vitamin E for the least amount of saturated fat:

1. Almonds
2. Filberts (hazelnuts)
3. Peanuts
4. Chestnuts
5. Pistachios
6. Walnuts
7. Cashews
8. Pecans
9. Macadamias

Almonds. Our "Top Nut" award goes to the almond. Here are the main nutrients in one ounce of almonds (a medium-size handful):
# 166 calories
# 5 grams of protein
# 14 grams of fat (90 percent unsaturated)
# 4 grams of fiber (the highest fiber content of any nut or seed), unblanched
# 80 milligrams of calcium
# 1.4 milligrams of zinc
# 1 milligram of iron
# 6.7 milligrams of vitamin E
# some B-vitamins, minerals, and selenium

Filberts, (hazelnuts) because they are high in the amino acid tryptophan, are a good nut for sleep. Almonds and filberts have the most vitamin E (6.7 milligrams per ounce) - nearly 25 percent of the adult recommended dietary allowance.

If you have kids esp. babies I highly recommend the Dr. Sears books. He's a local kid doctor with a nation wide following. His Fussy baby book saved our mental health when we had our first child.

I also really like throwing Almonds on my morning cereal.

__________________
"Remember, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen." -Homer

Unless you are the freakin Highlander, what is the point in learning how to fight with a sword?

thingstodo

[QUOTE=chickentribs]It isnt the best and not the worst - how do you like that answer? Peanut Butter is high in protein but high in surgar (which translates into carbohydrates). Honestly, the granola bars are probably the worst part of your lunch - very high in fat and carbs.

QUOTE]
I have to get on a soap box.

I don't get the carbs problem. This guy runs, so he probably burns the carbs up. Your body needs carbs to work. It is fuel. The granola also provides fiber, which most don't get near enough of. The average male needs 30-35 grams/day. Go see what you are eating now and you'll be amazed. My wife started making her own granola, which we now eat like candy.

Peanut butter has loads of good, yes, good fats. So do oils like olive oil, which actually reduce bad cholesteral and increase the good stuff. Just use organic and stay away from the commercial stuff. As Lack LaLane said.... if man makes it, don't eat it. Stay away from processed (aka hydrolized) fats and trans fatty acids. Up to 65 grams of good fat a day is actually good for the average male, especially one that works out, runs, etc.

Bananas are a great fruit and a wonderful sourse of carbs, potasium and fiber. They matabolize well. I used to cut one in half, put it in two zip locks and eat every 30 minutes on bike rides when I was out of the carb gels.

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Stangers have the best candy.

Cowman

You're worried about the peanut butter when you're eating granola bars?

hmm..

very few foods are "healthy" or "unhealthy". It really comes down to whether or not your overall DIET is healthy or unhealthy.

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SiNai

Explain yourself, Cowman..?

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sailor

Peanut Butter having carbs is no problem at all. Eating carbs is a *good* thing for active people.

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CoachAlan

C'mon, we don't even know if milk is good for us. How the hell are we supposed to know if peanut butter is good? Water is stuff of life, ricin is deadly poison. Everything in between is pretty much guesswork.

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thingstodo

Thank you for good, uncommon sense!!

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

thingstodo

Yeah, really. What's wrong with granola?? My wife and I make our own. No trans fatty acid, hydrolized oils, plenty of good carbs, fiber and omega-3s from flax meal. You can almost live on this stuff except for the fact that you need protein, fruits and veggies. A protein shake for breakfast with ON protein along with fruit, flax meal and milk, homemade granola for a midmorning snack, brown rice/veggies and fruit for lunch with some lean meat. Can't beat it with a stick. Add a dark beer or two for happy hour, a shake before your evening workout and another shake after. Toss in a little more fruit and veggies....

mm mm, good.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

bluehare

adams peanut butter has no sugar-just peanuts.

Cowman

There's nothing wrong with granola. Did you honestly read the thread, and then infer from my post that I was saying something is wrong with granola?


Pre-packaged granola bars, on the other hand, are a different story.

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