One of my favorite snacks is slices of deliciously sweet apple with crunchy peanut butter. While I am a fan of all nuts, there are spurts of time when I crave the peanut, and must gratify my urge.
Peanuts have been around for a long time, originating in South America before migrating all around the world.
They are actually a legume and are a more on the acidic side of the alkaline/acid scale—which means I don’t eat them all the time.
- When I do, I can celebrate many of their important health benefits:
- Like other legumes they provide long lasting energy
- Have mono saturated fat emphasized in the medeterianan style diet
- Help promote heart health
- Great source of vitamin E, niacin, folate, and protein
- Contain the antioxidant resveratrol, also found in red grapes/red wine
BUT wait! It isn't all such good news. The majority of peanuts, 99%, are produced conventionally, which means they are heavily sprayed--every 8-10 days in their growing season--with toxic pesticides.
Furthermore, they are grown in rotation in the same soil used for cotton--which is also heavily sprayed.
Since the peanut shell is very porous it absorbs everything, increasing residue and potential unhealthy fungus levels.
Besides the peanuts being low quality, conventional peanut butters contain hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, conventional soy, and salt.
But watch out, just because it says "organic" does'nt mean they aren't adding salt, sugar, or extra oils.
Peanuts are sweet by themselves, have natural oils, and if you want them salted sprinkle some sea salt on them.
Peanut allergies are a whole other story, but many believe it is the consumption of extremely low quality sprayed peanuts in combination with other added lifeless ingredients that has triggered so many people's bodies to reject this tasty legume.
One last note: like all nuts once they are out of their shell the chances of them going rancid--spoiled--is increased dramatically.
Avoid buying those grind-your-own nut butters at the store as those nuts have been sitting out. Ensure you purchase a jar and refrigerate once you get home. And please recycle or reuse your jar!
As for bulk nuts, ask someone at your store how quickly they move through and how long they have been sitting out.
To the peanut!