Directly from the large supermarket shelves of the United States of America, peanut butter has become a product loved by many Italians too. Its creamy composition can in fact be adapted to different recipes, both sweet and savory :
Porridge , another very trendy food on social media, can be enjoyed with peanut butter, a handful of granola and berries , a creamy solution for a breakfast like no other! However, if porridge is not among your favorite products, you can prepare the same recipe by replacing it with fresh, protein-rich yogurt .
To avoid the usual peanut butter & jelly (i.e. bread, jam and peanut butter), you can prefer a more particular recipe, but still with an American flavour: Reese's cups! Reese's cups are small chocolate baskets with a creamy center , in this case our faithful peanut butter. These cups are usually sold in the supermarket, so they may contain refined sugars or other unhealthy substances, but the recipe can also be made from the comfort of your own home !
Peanut butter can also be enjoyed with some savory recipes , a real must in American recipe books is satay sauce , made of: peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, cane sugar and a touch of red curry. After mixing everything, you get a creamy mixture to spread on grilled meat!
How is peanut butter made?
Peanut butter is typically made by blending roasted peanuts until they turn into a smooth spread. Most commercially available brands of peanut butter contain added ingredients to enhance flavor and texture .It is important to always look at product labels , because some brands also use palm oil which, in addition to having negative consequences from an environmental point of view, can also be harmful to our body. Furthermore, some types of peanut butter contain added sugars, hydrogenated oils, salt and various additives , which can potentially create problems related to the cardiovascular system.
For this reason, when it comes to peanut butter, a debate often arises regarding its health benefits and disadvantages. While it is high in calories and fat, it also contains protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
Is Peanut Butter Healthy?
The real answer is one: it depends on the ingredients it contains . In fact, products that contain few natural ingredients should be preferred, such as Clemi's Market's protein power.
Our protein power peanut butter contains three simple ingredients:
- Peanuts , coming from the Sicilian territory to guarantee the true quality of Made in Italy. Peanuts are rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats and are also a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, magnesium and potassium. Regular consumption of peanuts has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer;
- Yacòn , a tuber native to South America commonly consumed as a natural sweetener due to its high levels of fructooligosaccharides, a type of prebiotic fiber.
- Cinnamon , a spice rich in antioxidants , which protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory compounds , which can help reduce inflammation in the body and may be helpful in preventing certain conditions such as heart disease and diabetes;
To summarize, peanut butter only has positive health benefits if it is made with the correct ingredients ( like our Protein Power ). But remember, eating healthy means having a balanced diet, so use peanut butter but in moderation , too much is bad!
