If you want to build more muscle, get a better recovery after a workout session, or even stay in the best health possible then peanut butter can be an excellent choice when it comes to the right snack food. This nutrient dense substance can have a big impact on your physical fitness efforts, and it will help you stay healthy as well. A serving is just 2 tablespoons and this amount can help supplement any dietary needs and help you get the most from your physical fitness efforts.

Peanut butter offers:

• Protein
• Fiber
• Iron
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Healthy fats
• Resveratrol
• P-coumaric acid
• Lower cholesterol levels

Protein is Critical for Muscle Growth and Recovery

If you workout then you want to get the best possible results. Building muscles and efficiently repairing these tissues require protein. This nutrient is the building block of muscle tissue, and it is also essential for good health and proper functioning as well. Cells that are worn out or damaged in other ways will be replaced faster when protein rich peanut butter is included as a regular part of your diet and workout snacking routine. During a workout your muscles may become damaged, and growth occurs when this is repaired. If you do not have enough protein in your diet then you will not see optimal muscle growth and get the maximum results from these sessions. Eating peanut butter right before you hit the gym or as a post-workout snack can boost the protein available to your muscle tissues and cells, allowing them to grow and regenerate at a faster rate and giving you the size and faster recovery that you want.

Fiber Rich Foods Can Increase Fat Loss and Improve Muscle Definition

Peanut butter is rich in fiber. This component helps to speed up fat loss and improve muscle definition. Fiber helps to pull cholesterol and other bad fats from the body, which can mean lower cholesterol levels and a thinner layer of fat over your muscles. Your muscles will stand out better and their definition will be more visible. A single tablespoon has an entire gram of fiber, which makes peanut butter a healthy snack that will help you reach your health and fitness goals faster and more effectively. When high fiber bread choices are also used in order to make a peanut butter sandwich, you can double the amount of fiber that this snack offers.

Peanut Butter Sandwiches Contain Many Vitamins and Minerals

A peanut butter sandwich provides significant amounts of iron, calcium, and potassium. All of these nutrients are needed for great physical fitness and healthy tissues. If your diet is low in iron then your muscle tissues may not get adequate amounts of oxygen and this could mean less muscle growth and a longer recovery period. Potassium is needed for cardiovascular health and can help lower your blood pressure.

Good Fats Versus Bad Fats

Not all fats are bad. Some foods contain more beneficial fats than others. When you use peanut butter sandwiches as a workout snack then you will get healthy fats that your body needs while minimizing the bad fats that you consume. In peanut butter the heart healthy fats you want can be found in abundance. A common mistake is to consider peanut butter a food high in fat and calories that should be avoided. Nutrient dense foods that contain high amounts of healthy fats will naturally be high in calories as well. The difference is that the these are excellent dietary choices even if they have more calories and fat than an apple or orange.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is one of the many phytochemicals that is found in peanut butter. This compound is beneficial for health and physical fitness. As an antioxidant, this substance helps to fight off any free radicals that form in the body. These cells can cause damage and disease, including cardiovascular conditions and cancer. When you consume a diet that contains large amounts of resveratrol and other phytochemicals then you will stay in better physical shape and help lower your risk for many medical conditions and diseases. Instead of having an apple a day, a better choice may be a peanut butter sandwich. If you enjoy this snack right after working out or lifting then your cells and muscle tissues will be repaired faster. That means better results and a shorter recovery period. Both of these goals are important for weightlifters and bodybuilders.

Are There Proven Peanut Butter Health Benefits?

In addition to contributing to better muscle growth and faster recovery, peanut butter offers many health benefits. A number of scientific studies have shown that peanut butter can help lower your risk or even prevent many conditions including:

• Gallstones
• Alzheimer’s
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Cancer

Peanut Butter Helps with Weight Loss and Muscle Gain

A peanut butter sandwich is extremely versatile. This snack can help you gain muscle, lose weight, or achieve both of these goals at the same time. Since it is rich in protein and healthy fats, this substance helps to eliminate hunger and keep you full longer. If you are not seeing the results you should from your fitness efforts then adding peanut butter sandwiches as a supplement can increase your caloric intake and help you gain any desired pounds and muscle tissue. This will help you maximize the muscle tissue built and increase your strength at the same time. Whether you want to slim down or bulk up, peanut butter can help, and that makes it incredibly versatile.

How Often Should You Snack On Peanut Butter Sandwiches?

One of the most common questions is how often you should include a peanut butter sandwich in your diet. There is no single answer that works for everyone. Your health, weight, and physical fitness goals are unique, and your dietary guidelines should be based on these important factors. If you are not getting the results you want then adding a peanut butter sandwich each day or after each workout can help you gain more muscle and lose more fat. Make your fitness efforts as effective as possible by making sure your diet includes all of the nutrients your body and muscle tissues need for optimal health, growth, and repair.

Source

http://www.livestrong.com/article/245438-health-benefits-of-peanut-butter/

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/what-you-should-know-about-peanut-butter-nutrition.html#b

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/06/cl.healthful.foods/