QuestionDear Karen,
I have been a vegan for two years now, and was a vegetarian for three years previous to this transition. Lately I find I've been having a huge craving for PEANUT BUTTER. It has always been my favorite indulgence, but I feel that in the past little while I have been eating more of it than seems normal. I will come home from school and just have 5 or 6 tablespoons of it. Since making the transition to a vegetable-based lifestyle, I have not had any weight problems. I'm wondering, however, if eating so much peanut butter can be healthy (I buy the sugar, oil free and organic kind), and if it will have a detrimental effect on my weight? Perhaps my body needs more fats in my diet. What are the best non-animal sources of protein and fats, and what are the recommended intakes? Thank you for your time,
Jessica Alleva
AnswerHi Jessica,
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, as are all nuts and dried beans, and soy products. I am sure you craving is due to your body needing protein. As for how such will affect your weight, it will be no different than any other food. Such will depend upon how many calories you intake on a daily basis and how many you burn on a daily basis.
Fats have lately been shown to have some affect on hunger feelings. It seems if you do not intake some fat, no matter how much you eat, you still seem to feel a bit hungry. These are only preliminary studies, so I am not sure exactly what to advise at this point. Nut fat is supposedly good for your body as it counteracts the animal fat.
Terence A. Russell
