The Truth about Peanut Butter — erinlamb

I know peanut butter is like liquid gold from the heavens…..

BUT I thought it was time to share this little truth nugget. I have been eating a LOT of peanut butter lately and realized I needed to cut it back a bit and start practicing what I preach. I need to eat my peanut butter in moderation.

So let’s learn a bit about PB.

*I have also included a DELICIOUS recipe you can use during the reintroduction phase of your elimination diet to test if you have a peanut sensitivity.

Peanuts are one of the most common food allergies/Sensitivities.

The symptoms experienced by individuals who have a peanut sensitivity include:

  • Stomach pain or cramps

  • Flatulence

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

When I did my first food diary, I wanted to have a meal that was filled with peanuts to see if it triggered any of my symptoms indicating a possible food sensitivity, so I made this Slow Cooker Chicken in Peanut Sauce. The other ingredients in this recipe are not among the top 10 most common allergies, so I thought I would be able to get a pretty clear indication if I were to experience any symptoms.

We consume so many foods in a day, but having a food diary can help us keep better track of when we experience symptoms. When I ate this slow cooker meal, I found that peanuts did contribute to my bloating & gas. I also had a food sensitivity test done around the same time in which peanuts scored very high. This indicated a possible IgG food sensitivity. After completing my food diary, I did an elimination diet to get more clear on my food sensitivities and the IGg test I had done. SO peanuts were eliminated from my diet for 3 weeks.

I’m happy to say I am fine eating them now in moderation! Sometimes, when we eliminate a certain food for a period of time* and work on supporting our gut health, we are able to add the food that once gave us symptoms back in to our diet!

THANK GOODNESS. Because mmm peanut butter… all the heart eyes!

With this being said…

Peanuts/peanut butter should be eaten sparingly as they can contain a carcinogen called aflatoxin that has been said to have a higher possible risk of liver cancer. Aflatoxin is is a natural toxin produced by certain strains of the mold Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that grow on peanuts stored in warm, humid conditions.