Good question. I read just now that some types of peanut oil are more highly processed than others, whatever than means, and that those are less nutrient rich. I remember once many years ago I had this genius idea of pouring out the oil on top, with an aim to just go for the peanut flavor and whatever nutrients the butter had but with less fat. Boy, was that a mistake; you could chisel that stuff into bricks and build a house with it. While I like peanut butter, I never had the urge to eat it straight out of the jar. Now almond butter, on the other hand, is a different story... P.S. I don't think a slice of whole grain bread will destroy you.
The problem in assessing many/most oils is that in theory certain ones are healthy. But they all oxidize very rapidly and if they do not it is because they have been "refined" in some way or have additives or have been heat-treated, etc to prevent degradation- which means that you then then have a different animal than the original. This is pretty much true for peanut oil too- or I might even say- especially for peanut oil. Since peanuts are deadly or problematic for many, the commercial producers use advance filtering and additives or whatever to reduce the allergens in it. Now, your local hippy might argue that that is not necessarily true because they get some super virginal peanut oil down at the health food store and I don't disagree with that. But off the shelf over at the Big Box, I assume highly processed. Having peanut oil at the top of your jar is a good sign because true peanut oil is liquid at room temp. The ones that don't have oil at the top are a result of mixing other oils in with the peanut butter which mixes with the true peanut oil and makes it semi-solid. Hippies and health food types who grind their own peanut butter or get a brand that has oil in the top usually deal with that oil the old fashioned way which is simply to store the jar upside down.
Yeah, but when you open it, it pours out all over your hands. Of course, the oil-on-top variety is the only way to go.
Not to beat this issue to death, but a few months ago I got one of Costco's brands of peanut butter. It was irritating as hell. I don't mind mixing in the top oils but no matter how much I mixed it, it was a runny liquid that would just flow off of a cracker or the like. Irritating and as worthless as tits on a nun. I suppose it's okay if you like to drink your peanut butter. They need to jigger their formula a bit. I think they are adding peanut oil or some kind anticoagulant into the mix to make it look more fake-organic. They missed the mark.
It's actually quite tasty and satisfying. Love almonds and almond butter, but they are both very high in oxalates and I've tried to cut way back on such items. Peanut-butter will have to do. Undoubtedly true, but would also remind me that my PB sandwich is missing a fundamental, primary DELICIOUS ingredient.
That's the deal with oil on top. You gotta work it. You think the peanut butter gives you a workout? Try the almond butter. I just put the jar sideways in warm water for a while. It makes it easier to mix. It still takes a few minutes of rowing, but it isn't runny afterwards. And then every time I take some out of the jar, I give it a bit of a turn to keep it properly mixed. I remember the easy Kraft days when I didn't know any better, but those days are gone.
Trans fats, saturated fats, simple carbs/ sugars are the enemy. Pretty simple. Dieticians complicate things.
Not really. That's what dieticians have been saying all along. Together with getting adequate fiber and eating nutrient-rich whole foods. Doing so makes it a challenge to become overweight providing a reasonable level of physical activity.