The Virtues of Peanut Butter (And Other Nutritious Nuggets)

• If you try to stay away from peanut butter, deeming it to be fattening, think again. Peanut butter—and peanuts in any form—contribute to no more weight gain than the same number of calories from carbohydrate-rich snacks. In a 10-week weight-gain study that included lifting weights three times a week, 28 athletic women and men (average age 25) consumed:

— an extra 500 calories of peanuts and peanut butter-based snacks, or

—an extra 500 calories of peanut-free carb-based snack foods (such as pretzels, fruit chews, bagels).

The carb-snackers gained about six pounds; the peanut eaters gained only about 3.5 pounds. How could this be?

One explanation is that the fiber and fat in peanut butter are satiating. That means it keeps you feeling fed for longer than fat-free foods such as pretzels. Peanut butter can curb your appetite, so you end up eating fewer calories overall for the day.

This study confirms why I vote peanut butter one of the best sports foods around (assuming you’re not allergic to it). Peanut butter requires no refrigeration, is anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich, inexpensive, and most important, yummy. How about enjoying more peanut butter on bananas for your morning and afternoon snacks?

• When athletes go on a low-carb/low-calorie diet, their bones go on a diet also. In a study of 327 runners (ages 18 to 35) who trained eight or more hours a week, those who restricted carbs and/or trained without having eaten first, experienced 1.5 times more bone injuries More research is needed to learn how carbs and calories can influence bone health. In the meantime, enjoy carb-based grains, fruits and veggies at every meal.

• With global warming, athletes who exercise in the heat should take steps to prevent problems related to elevated body temperature. One tip is to pre-cool your body before exercise. Try drinking ice water or slushies or sucking on ice chips. Doing so might give you greater endurance.

• A study of female professional soccer players revealed that they burned about 2,900 calories per day. Of that, about 1,400 calories supported their resting metabolic rate (calories needed to be alive) and about 1,200 calories were burned during exercise; the rest supported general daily activities. This equates to about three 700- to 800-calorie meals per day, plus two 200- to 300-calorie snacks. That’s a lot of food. For athletes who may wonder, “Why do I feel hungry all the time?”, the answer might be because your body is hungry!

• When female athletes under-eat, they commonly stop having regular menstrual periods. When male athletes under-eat, they experience hormonal changes that can lead to loss of sex drive. In a study involving 10 healthy active males (circa age 25) who dieted strictly for five days—they ate less food and exercised more—the calorie deficit caused significant physiological changes. The men lost about six pounds (more muscle than fat, as happens with quick weight loss). Their thyroid hormones dropped, as did their testosterone levels.

Restrictive dieting reduces the intake not only of calories but also protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and many other valuable nutrients needed to maintain optimal health and performance. Don’t restrict your eating because you think you should. Listen to your body. Stop eating because you feel satiated, not just because the food is gone.

•  Athletes in endurance sports (such as rowers, runners, and triathletes) and jumping sports (such as basketball and volleyball players) prefer to be light to enhance their performance. The problem is that long-term restrictive eating can contribute to health issues. In a study comparing weight-conscious male athletes (age 24) to a group of fitness exercisers, the athletes were leaner but also had lower levels of thyroid hormone (a sign they were conserving energy). They also had weaker bones. If you skimp on food to be lean, your best bet is to seek guidance from a registered dietitian who specializes in sports dietetics. This professional can help you achieve your weight goals healthfully. Use the referral network at eatright.org to find your local sports dietitian.

• Personal trainers commonly believe they should have a “perfect” physique to achieve success in their careers. This can put them at high risk of developing eating disorders. Among personal trainers who responded to recruitment messages on Twitter and Instagram, 15 percent reported high levels of disordered-eating behavior (binge-eating, restrictive dieting, over-exercising). Trainers like this should not be role models. We need authentic fitness leaders who represent a variety of sizes and shapes that the average exerciser can attain and maintain. Don’t be fooled; a “perfect body” generally comes at a high cost.

• Some women gain belly fat during menopause. This might be related to midlife lifestyle changes and aging as well as  hormonal shifts. Peri-menopausal women who had big dinners and snacked frequently at the end of the day tended to have more belly fat than those who front-loaded their calories. One suggested weight-management solution (for both women and men) is to eat less at night. A satiating high-protein breakfast can help reduce the urge to overeat at the end of the day. Peanut butter on a bagel with a side of Greek yogurt, anyone?