In the proper amounts, cholesterol plays a vital role in a well-functioning body.
Its a common misconception that dietary cholesterol is the cause of high cholesterol levels.
Foods that are high in saturated or trans fats can raiseLDL(bad) cholesterol levels.
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Foods that contain unsaturated fats can raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
HDL lowers the risk of heart disease.
Peanut butter contains bothsaturated and unsaturated fats.
So is peanut butter good for you?
In moderation, yes.
Many healthy foods contain some saturated fat and in moderation, a small amount of saturated fat is okay.
Unsaturated fat comes in different forms.
Included under the polyunsaturated heading are the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6.
The body does not make these fatty acids, so it is important to include them in yourdiet.
Peanut butter is a good source of omega-6 fat.
All four nut butters are rich in unsaturated fats and lower in saturated fats.
Almond butter has the highest amount of total fat, but the lowest amount of saturated fat.
It also has the highest amount of unsaturated fat.
Always read the nutrition labels.
The American Heart Association (AHA) considers a serving of nut butter to be 2 tablespoons.
The AHA recommends no more than 5% to 6% of daily caloric intake come from saturated fats.
All fat contains the same amount of calories: nine calories per gram.
Taking in more calories than you use can lead to weight gain.
Is Peanut Butter Healthy?
When consumed in the right amounts, peanut butter is healthy.
They also contain other healthy nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
For the most health benefits from peanut butter, choose ones without added sugar or salt.
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