A recent column on hydrogenated fats in peanut butter brought these responses:
“I read recently, in my local paper, your long answer to a question about fat in peanut butter. The peanut butter I eat frequently, I make at my food co-op simply by grinding their shelled, organic peanuts. How does my peanut butter rate health-wise in terms of fat? Matts in Tucson.”
Dear Matts: According to the USDA Food Data Central (and my calculations from other sources), a serving (two tablespoons) of freshly ground peanut butter contains about 15 grams of total fat. Only about two grams of that is the saturated type we are called to limit in our diets. The remainder is in the form of healthful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. So yes, your freshly ground peanut butter is a good choice. Just remember to watch your portions if you’re watching your weight. Peanut butter packs close to 100 calories in every tablespoon.
