Why I Switched From Regular Peanut Butter to Organic Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter: Regular Vs. Organic

Let me start with some of the health benefits of peanut butter very briefly.

- Most of the fats (about 47 percent) in peanut butter are monounsaturated fat. This is the fat that lowers bad LDL  cholesterol.
- Peanut butter also contains polyunsaturated fat (about 27 percent). This is the fat that raises
good HDL  cholesterol.
- Peanut butter contains about 8 percent dietary fiber.
- Contains micronutrients such as Vitamin E, Niacin, etc.
- Contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, etc.
- Contains Resveratrol, which has natural anti-microbial, anti-inflammation, and anti-aging properties. It helps body to effectively fight off bacteria and various types of fungi.
- Contains folic acid, phytic acid, and phytosterols.

But Beware of Peanut Butter That Is Not Organic

Some of the benefits I mentioned above look really good. However, these benefits will be shadowed by the adverse effects – if your peanut butter is not organic. Consider the following facts –

- Peanuts are grown on the ground and have have soft and porous skin. Non-organic peanuts have very high counts of pesticide residues, as it is a crop that is heavily treated with pesticide. These carcinogenic pesticide residues can cause cancer and other harm to health.
- Non-organic peanut butter has added hydrogenated oil, added sugar, and added salt.
-  Organic peanut butter may have higher nutritional value than traditional peanut butter.
- You will feel the difference in taste in organic peanut butter. It does not taste as good as regular peanut butter (because of no added sugar, salt, fat, etc). It will take some time to get adjusted to its taste.
- You can easily check what foods have what types of pesticides here easily: What’s On My Food?

And I Made Up My Mind

After researching on the pluses and minuses of organic and regular peanut butter, it was not hard for me to do the switch as all the positives outweigh all the negatives. What will be your decision? I suggest you to do some reading and research before you enjoy your next serving of peanut butter.

How to Make Instant Noodles A Healthy Food

Instant Noodles Are Very Unhealthy 

Instant doodles, instant ramen, cup noodles – these are all very unhealthy foods. Manufacturers deep fry them in bad oil (like palm oil) and that’s where all the bad fats (trans fat, saturated fat) come from. Then, these noodles have to be wax coated (the same material they use in Styrofoam containers) so they don’t stick to each other when cooking. And don’t forget about the seasoning or small flavour packets that come with instant noodles. These powders are full of bad stuff such as salt, MSG, fat, and who knows what else!

However, after packing instant noodles with all these bad things, I realise that you may need to eat it once in a while – and that’s OK as long as you are not eating instant noodles frequently. Even if you eat instant noodles once in a while, you can do a few simple things to make it a healthy meal better than just eating only noodles.

Steps to Make a Healthy Bowl of Instant Noodles 

1. Gather some vegetables and cut them in small pieces. 
2. Here are some veggie suggestions. Pick all or some from these based on what you like: Broccoli, Celery, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, little bit of garlic, and any other vegetables you may like. 
3. Boil the required amount of water and add a teaspoon of olive oil. 
4. Throw in your vegetables. 
5. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes. 
6. Throw in noodles. 
7. Cut down on seasoning or flavour packets by adding only half amount. 
8. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes. 
9. You are done.

When it comes to eating, you have the option to make it a healthy one or a junk one. Be careful and selective on what you eat and live a happier and a longer life.

Safe Fish To Eat

Safe Fish You Should Eat

Today, I am not going to write about the benefits of eating fish. Most of us know about it, and if you are not aware, do some research online. I try to eat fish every other week or even more often. However, if you don’t pick the right fish to eat, it may do more harm than good due to its contamination. I am going to present my safe fish list and unsafe fish list chart today to make your life little easier on fish shopping. Keep in mind that there are much more fish than what I have mentioned here. I am just presenting those that I like. If you want more, use the links I provided at the end or search online.

My Top Safe Fish List

1. Anchovy - Omega 3
2. Arctic Char - Omega 3
3. Atlantic mackerel ( Avoid King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel) - Omega 3
4. Haddock
5. Halibut
6. Herring - Omega 3
7. Ocean Perch (Alaska, Pacific. US Pacific, Newfoundland)
8. Pollock (Boston bluefish) - Omega 3
9. Farmed Rainbow Trout (avoid wild trout) - Omega 3  
10. Salmon (eat canned, Chum, Coho, Pink, Wild Pacific, sockeye, Chinook, steelhead salmon. Avoid farmed, Atlantic salmon) - Omega 3
11. Sardines – Omega 3
12. Smelt - Omega 3
13. Snapper
14. Sole (US Pacific English Sole)
15. Tilapia (eat farmed Canada or America Tilapia. Avoid farmed Asia, South America Tilapia)
16. Tuna (eat canned light, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, yellowfin, tongol. Avoid white, albacore, bluefin, maguro, toro tuna) - Omega 3 

NB - Omega 3 refers to fish high in Omega 3.

Sources:
http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Food-safety/Get-the-reel-scoop-on-fish-and-mercury.aspx
http://www.toronto.ca/health/fishandmercury/pdf/guide_eat_fish.pdf
http://intraspec.ca/fish.php#.UF6WaI1lSV8

First Published: Nov 19, 2012 simplepersonaldevelopment.com