Peanuts for Weight Loss: Bogus or Beneficial?

Peanuts: Nutritional Profile

Peanuts are a great source of protein, dietary fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 g of raw peanuts contain the following nutrients.

Peanuts are also an excellent source of vitamin E and of B-complex vitamins like biotin, niacin, folic acid, and thiamine. 

Advantages of Peanuts for Weight Loss

• Help curb hunger

Groundnuts are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, all of which promote satiation and make you feel full for a longer time. This helps curb your hunger and lowers calorie intake by reducing snacking.

• Increase calorie burning

The protein, monounsaturated fats and fiber content in peanuts can also boost your metabolism and promote calorie and fat burning. Protein helps you build lean muscle which increases calorie burning. Fiber slows down digestion and promotes fullness, which can decrease calorie absorption and curb overeating. Monounsaturated or ‘healthy’ fats can also curb hunger and reduce bad cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein or LDL) levels in your body.

• Help keep the weight off

Studies have shown that adding a moderate amount of peanuts or peanut butter to your diet can help you lose weight and also keep it off. Peanuts that have a high concentration of oleic acid (called hi-oleic peanuts) help burn more fat when combined with a low-calorie diet for weight loss.

How Many Peanuts Can You Eat in a Day to Lose Weight?

For the best weight loss results, limit your daily peanut consumption to 30 to 50 g (1 to 2 ounces). As the fat content and calories in peanuts are high, overeating could cause weight gain.

What is the Best Time to Eat Peanuts for Weight Loss?

• As an evening snack

Are you in the habit of eating biscuits or namkeen in the evening along with your cup of chai? Try swapping those with some groundnuts for the best weight loss results. Most processed foods have added sugars and trans fats with little to no nutritional value, so replacing them with a healthy snack like roasted peanuts can keep your weight in check without having to go hungry. 

• Between meals

If you often find yourself feeling hungry between meals, reach for some peanuts instead of munching on a bag of chips or a candy bar. Unlike foods with empty carbs which digest quickly, peanuts can keep you full till your next meal. 

• After a workout

Peanuts make the best post-workout snack because of their high protein content and moderate carbohydrate and electrolyte content. Unlike protein bars and sports drinks, peanuts have little to no sugars and are unprocessed. Also, the protein found in peanuts can help prevent muscle loss after a workout.

Wondering How to Eat Peanuts for Weight Loss?

• Eat some peanuts by their lonesome

The best way to eat peanuts for weight loss is to eat them as they are. Try dry roasting or boiling peanuts to enrich their flavor. Leave the skin on to increase your fiber and antioxidant intake.

• Make healthy protein bars

Store-bought protein bars usually have a lot of added sugars or sweeteners, trans fats, preservatives, and other hidden ingredients that can hinder your weight loss journey. So why not make a healthier version at home? Bake some peanuts, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, muesli or trail mix together with a bit of honey or jaggery to make homemade protein bars.

• Add them to other dishes

Forgo croutons and add some toasted peanuts to your salads, poha, chaat, etc., for a delicious crunch and added nutritional benefit. 

• Try some peanut butter

Peanut butter is a tastier and more nutritious alternative to butter. Unlike butter, which is fattening, peanut butter can actually help you lose weight if eaten the right way. Click here to read more about how peanut butter can contribute to your weight loss journey.

What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Groundnuts for Weight Loss?

If weight loss is your goal, then eating more than 50 g a day of peanuts or groundnuts can defeat your purpose. Peanuts are high in calories and fats, and even though they are healthy, overconsumption can quickly lead to weight gain. 

They also have an unhealthy ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids (20:1), which is much higher than the ideal ratio of 1:1 to 4:1. Unbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can lead to inflammation, which poses several health risks.

Avoid consuming peanuts or any products with peanuts (peanut butter, peanut oil, etc.) if you are or have been allergic to peanuts in the past.

What are the Other Health Benefits of Peanuts?

• Peanuts have a low glycemic index (GI) score of 13, which makes them a great snack option for diabetics.
• Their high monounsaturated fat content can help lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels in your body, thus promoting heart health.
• Peanuts are a potassium-rich food that can help lower blood pressure.
• They are rich in polyphenols, compounds with antioxidant properties that prevent inflammation caused by oxidative damage to your cells.