Susan S asked:
I’m 39 and had my first child nearly 2 years ago. I’m about 135 lbs–not overweight but I do have belly fat I didn’t used to have pre-baby. I was gestational while pregnant, and Type 2 runs in my family on my father’s side. I know exercise is important but have trouble fitting that into my schedule, beyond walking on nice days when I’m not chained to my desk at my FT job or caring for my daughter, who does keep me pretty busy and active. I have tried to some degree to maintain a lower carb, higher protein and fiber diet like I followed while I was gestational (and it was entirely managed then with diet and exercise, primarily yoga and walking). I have a terrible, terrible sweet tooth. I have a very, very difficult time turning down sweets and often don’t when I know I should. I fear I know my fate but if there are ways to prolong or prevent it, I really do want to try. Peanut butter has been a good thing for me. Just a spoonful or two keeps me from wanting to snack more much of the time. But I noticed Reduced Fat Peanut Butter has more carbs than regular or even all natural peanut butter. I’m wondering if I should stick with the regular form of PB since I’m not overweight, so that my carbs are ultimately lower. Thoughts?
Plus any and all good food tips that might help me prevent Type 2 and also satisfy or cure my sweet tooth would be appreciated.
Motivation to exercise wouldn’t hurt either. 🙂
6 replies on “Peanut butter question, and anyone have advice for eating to prevent diabetes?”
Yes, stick with regular peanut butter. Fat in general satisfies your hunger better than carbs. You might also try using balsamic vinegar on a salad or plate of vegetables at least once a day.
The peanut butter is ok but nut all the time eat more vegtables and fruit and grains. do some walking for excerising and drink more water no more carbohydrates drinks they are killer.
PB is not a high carb food and there are relatively low amounts per serving, compared to other foods. I think there is only like 4 grams in one serving which is usually a tablespoon. If you are eating 1 -2 spoonfuls, there isn’t much to worry about. A single slice of bread has between 17 – 25 carbs which is going to be three to four times what you are eating in a couple tbs of PB.
PB is also high in protein and I’ve heard it has “good” fat. That might be why you feel satisfied because protein is supposed to be more filling. My nutritionist always recommends moderate servings of peanuts or PB.
Usually Type II is associated with overweight adults.
My overall impression of your question is that you are debating relatively minor differences in your food choices. Whatever you decide isn’t likely to make any difference in your chance of getting diabetes.
What IS likely to help is living an active life, getting plenty of exercise, and losing the extra pounds. The last sentence in your question says it best:
“Motivation to exercise wouldn’t hurt either.”
Beware of low carb labels! Beware of low sugar labels as well!
Here’s the problem, there is no carbs in fat, so when a company wants to reduce the carbs they replace sugars with fats to keep the taste. The opposite is true as well, there is no fat in sugar. You can take out the fat, but you have to get the taste back with sugar.
Overall, calories is more important than anything else. If you watch calories, you’ll be also reduce fat and sugar consumption because both are high in calories.
Staying fit and eating less processed food will help you avoid type 2 diabetes. Eat foods that have a low glycemic index score (lots of sites with that info) when possible. An occasional sweet treat is not the end of the world and will not, but itself, cause diabetes. Remeber that sweets are a treat and shouldn’t be a basic food staple at home.
Stick with regular. There’s sort of a myth that fat in food equals fat on the body. Simply not true. I have a very high fat diet and I don’t gain weight. What makes me gain weight is high calories and high carbohydrates. Not only that, but nuts are good fats (for cholesterol). Right now your biggest concern should be diabetes, not weight. And even if you were watching your weight, I would still tell you to get full-fat everything. Low-fat foods are high in sugar, and thus often higher in calories. Not good. You might even consider buying “all natural” peanut butters that contain no added sugar. They’re very good. You can put Splenda in the peanut butter if it’s not sweet enough for you.