[dlochart]

I am trying to reduce my cholesterol naturally rather than medicines. I have been able to get it down somewhat but not enough to make my doctor or me happy. I am going through all the foods I eat. I have heard of all the wonderous things about Peanut Butter BUT it packs a 3-3.5 grams of saturated fat per 2 tbsp. When I cut up an apple I can easily use two servings of PB with the apple.

So my question is this... is the saturated fat in PB the same as that in Animal fat? Is it just as bad for you? I won't stop eating PB as it has lots of beneficial fats but I may need to reduce my quantities of it.

Thanks

Doug

[lovelesspa]

Your body needs fat to function properly--But, too much can be harmful. You should consume less then 10% (saturated fats) in your daily calories. If your dealing with high cholestrol peanut butter contains some saturated fat or cholestrol, that would be considered unhealthy from a cholestrol point of view, if eaten in large quantities, so it should be eaten in moderation. A serving size would be 2 tbsp, which contains only 3 grams of saturated fat. (Per day). By contrast peanut butter has plenty of unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid which is good for your cardio system and no trans fat. Peanut butter is a great source of monosaturated fatty acids which also lower total cholestrol and LDL and Increases (good cholestrol) HDL. Just keep moderation in mind!!

[labman]

Peanut oil has 5 % stearic acid and another 2 % Arachidic acid which is the saturated C 20 fatty acid. These fatty acids are chemically identical to the ones in animal fats. Your body can't tell where they came from. They do not include some of the other objectional materials from meat. Peanut oil is also 61 % oleic acid which is a mono unsaturated fatty acid.

I don't think there are beneficial fats , just less harmful ones.

[dude8888]

I don't think there are beneficial fats , just less harmful ones.
Actually your body NEEDS fats to run properly. If you follow a 0 fat diet and you will have extreme difficulties with the quantities of food you need to consume in order to provide the same calories, 1g fat 9 kcal, 1g carbs or protein = 4kcal. In conclusion it is absolutely necessary to eat fat as long as it doesn't provide more than 30% of the caloric needs and no more than 10% of those 30% should come from saturated fats.