The Healthiest Peanut Butter Snacks
By Brandi Goodman
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day arrives in March. While Reese's cups and a jar of JIF may not be the healthiest of options, plenty of healthy choices do exist that use peanut butter. It's just a matter of choosing the right kind and creating healthy snack options. Peanuts offer plenty of health benefits that make using the butter in a snack from time to time delicious and worthwhile.
To Start, Choose a Healthy Version
Not all peanut butter is created equal. Many of the well-known versions are packed with sugar or sodium or both. These are not ideal to consume on your toast in the morning or on snacks. You want to skip the processed sugars and choose an organic version instead. If you still want to go with a popular brand, at least choose a sugar-free version of it to reduce the calorie count.
Celery Sticks With Peanut Butter
A well-loved classic, celery sticks with peanut butter have been given as a snack for many years. Simply spread some organic peanut butter over a stick of celery and enjoy. Many people make ants on a log by adding raisins to the top. Either option works well. You get the creamy peanut butter goodness with a vegetable as the main snack source.
Frozen Peanut Butter Grapes
Grapes taste great with some added peanut butter flavor as well. Don't use straight peanut butter, though. Microwave together some natural peanut butter, plain low-fat Greek yogurt, and a bit of unsweetened almond milk. This will make a peanut butter-flavored yogurt that works well drizzled over grapes. Freeze them afterward for a delicious frozen treat
Peanut Butter Yogurt-Stuffed Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to your regular menu. They pack a lot of antioxidants and vitamins that make them worth eating often. For a unique treat, top a baked sweet potato with peanut butter and yogurt. Spread a layer of natural peanut butter on first and then add a dollop of plain yogurt. You can finish it off with a dash of cinnamon.
Enjoy peanut butter on this national day and any other time you're looking for a creamy treat. Peanuts pack lots of protein and offer some health advantages that make it OK as an occasional option. Using a sugar-free or organic brand to create homemade goods is your best bet.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eastvale, Calif.