Protein Primer

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Coco

I was surprised when a friend told me that her new afternoon snack is a rice cake with peanut butter. I am so over my rice cake-eating days.  I put rice cakes in the category of foods that make me feel like I am depriving myself even as I am eating them.  No matter what I topped them with, I could not escape the idea that I was eating styrofoam.

But my surprise wasn’t about the rice cakes. It was about her comment that the peanut butter was “a good source of protein.”  How did this idea become so pervasive? Peanut butter is first and foremost a fat. It is a healthy fat. It is delicious. It provides some protein. But it is not a “good source” of protein, especially on a calorie-for-calorie basis.

Creamy Peanut Butter1 Tablespoon = 95 calories, 8 g fat, 3.5 g protein

On the other hand, I have been surprised by other foods that have more protein than I expected, like my Arnold® 100% Whole Wheat Bread.

1 Slice = 110 calories, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein

So, when I fix myself a pre-run breakfast of peanut butter toast, I am getting more protein from the bread than from the peanut butter!

Of course, none of my snacks provide more protein than my Chobani® yogurt.

1 cup = 100 calories, 18 g protein
(the flavored non-fat varieties have about 140 calories and 15-16 g protein)

What is your favorite snack?

Do you like rice cakes?

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10 Responses to Protein Primer

  1. mythineats says:
    May 15, 2012 at 3:44 am

    My favorite snack is Almonds. I love them. But I do agree with the Chobani yogurt you oosted that is pretty delicious with about 5 walnuts in it!

  2. Carrie says:
    May 15, 2012 at 4:03 am

    I look at peanut butter as I do all nuts – as my healthy fat source. It can be so dangerous (like all nuts) because it's challenging to stay within the serving sizes.

  3. David H. says:
    May 15, 2012 at 6:06 am

    I'm a big rice cake with peanut butter fan. It's a great snack to me, and occasionally what I'll eat before a shorter distance race.

  4. KCLAnderson (Karen) says:
    May 15, 2012 at 6:10 am

    I happen to like rice cakes, with a little nut butter or cheese, but what is a more satisfying snack all around is an apple with a little nut butter or cheese. It's the combo of carb, fat, fiber/fluid (in the apple) and a little protein, that provides true satiety, IMHO. As I have said before, Greek yogurt used to be my go-to snack, but lactose intolerance has put an end to that.

  5. Ama_Runs says:
    May 15, 2012 at 7:52 am

    I LOVE my Chobani yogurt! I usually mix in some blueberries, honey and a little bit of ginger for a kick. Yum!

  6. Ama_Runs says:
    May 17, 2012 at 1:56 am

    All those recipes look great! As does that single serving blender. Birthday is around the corner…hmmm…..

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