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I had a massive craving for peanut M&Ms. I wanted the crunchy, sweet shell and the soft chocolate combined with the meaty bite of peanut.

I stood in front of the vending machine at work, looking at the $1.35 'Tear & Share' sized bag thinking "Who really 'tears & shares'? You know you'll eat the whole damn bag, all - 500? 750? 1000 calories? on your own, not to mention the carbs and fat.

They were taunting me, I could hear their little candy voices "Eat me, Tim. You know you'll like it". The blue ones are whores especially "I'll melt in your mouth, Tim..."

I didn't eat them. I drink a glass of water and went back to work.

God they sound good. Stop it Timberoo, stop it! I now have this insatiable need to attack the Skippy peanut butter with a spoon!

I better go to bed soon before I turn into RJ's version of Porky Pig.

I had a bowl of ice cream tonight. Caramel Tracks mixed with double churned Chocolate, slathered in Cool Whip. Oh and I ate a cookie with it.

No guilt.

(I ran extra far in the upper 80s heat/humidity this afternoon, that justifies it right??? )

chocolate bar w/ almonds

Timberoo saidI wanted the crunchy, sweet shell and the soft chocolate combined with the meaty bite of peanut.

Someone's been watching the Food Network. How they can rhapsodize over that stuff just amazes me.

Peanuts, raw
0.25 cup
36.50 grams
206.96 calories

Density World's HealthiestFoods

Rating
manganese good
tryptophan good
vitamin B3 (niacin) good
folate good
copper good
protein good

Peanuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. Studies of diets with a special emphasis on peanuts have shown that this little legume is a big ally for a healthy heart.

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Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits.

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To lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, enjoy a handful of peanuts or other nuts, or a tablespoon of nut butter, at least 4 times a week.

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Resveratrol is a flavonoid first studied in red grapes and red wine, but now also found to be present in peanuts. In animal studies on resveratrol itself (the purified nutrient given in intravenous form, not the food form), this phytonutrient has been determined to improve blood flow in the brain by as much as 30%, thus greatly reducing the risk of stroke, according to the results of a laboratory animal study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

A number of studies have shown that nutrients found in peanuts, including folic acid, phytosterols, phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate) and resveratrol, may have anti-cancer effects. A good source all these nutrients-including the phytosterol beta-sisterol, which has demonstrated anti-cancer actions-peanuts have long been considered a likely candidate as a colon cancer-preventive food.(Awad AB, Chan KC, et al., Nutr Cancer)

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Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry indicates regular consumption of niacin-rich foods like peanuts provides protection against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

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Although nuts are known to provide a variety of cardio-protective benefits, many avoid them for fear of weight gain. A prospective study published in the journal Obesity shows such fears are groundless. In fact, people who eat nuts at least twice a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never eat nuts.

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Don't let concerns about gaining weight prevent you from enjoying the delicious taste and many health benefits of nuts!

Spread some nut butter on your morning toast or bagel.

Remember how many great childhood lunches involved a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Upgrade that lunchbox favorite by spreading organic peanut butter and concord grape jelly on whole wheat bread.

Fill a celery stick with nut butter for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Sprinkle a handful of nuts over your morning cereal, lunchtime salad, dinner's steamed vegetables.

Or just enjoy a handful of lightly roasted nuts as a healthy snack.

I had a breakfast bar and was full of guilt ..LOL

Nah... I prefer to end the day with a chilled plate containing:
one tablespoon of dark chocolate m&m's
one tablespoon of dried blueberries
two tablespoons of raw almonds
one glass of red wine

The trick is to keep a time-delay circuit on the cupboard door, so that it's only open for 10 seconds per day, preventing you from going back for seconds.

Tim, have them.

I had a king-size bag today. I'm sure they'll kill me in the end.

When my grandfather was nearing the end of his life after 60+ years of a two-pack cigarette habit, drinking whiskey and water, indulging in starchy, greasy foods and at least one Three Musketeers bar a day, I'm convinced he could have lived much longer than the 90 years he finally, mercifully expired at.

His end was horrible. Died in surgery to fix a broken hip, under anesthetic.

I can't. I'm trying to be good and drop some more weight before my trip to England.

a1972guy said


NO!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

They're now making Almond M&Ms. Really good.

Ok so I'm curious, Timberoo: Do you now congratulate yourself for resisting the temptation, or do you regret not having indulged?

Personally I'm a big believer in listening to your body (within reason...), including cravings. So I think you probably should have eaten the damned Peanut M&M's and forgot about it. Afterall, they are likely the healthiest choice in the vending machine anyway, and as long as you don't make a daily ritual out of it I don't see the harm.

OMG! I so wanted a bag of Peanut M&Ms here at work this morning too. I know that taunting feeling...grrrr!

I'm the world's biggest fan of dessert! I'm a firm believer that you should eat sweets and then eliminate the effects of the calories and fat using only the power of your mind...

...And my BF thinks I'm the devil.

Who wants to be my bowl? Melts on your abs, not in your hand.

I like this better myself:



I like M&M's but without the peanuts.

I have to say, I never used to like peanuts. But, I've read (like Caslon's post says) that they are really good for you. Now I love them and I'm not sure why.

But, I put them in my stir-fry for dinner, have apples with natural peanut butter as snacks, and put them in my salads at lunch. They're great.

Like the old joke says:

Is it true that if you eat nothing but skinless chicken breast, raw vegetables, and whole grains that you'll live longer?

No, it'll just seem like it.

Psssh! Amateurs. It's perfectly alright to have a nice, healthy relationship with your favorite candy...so long as you also have a nice, unhealthy relationship with a toilet bowl and the back end of your toothbrush.

But seriously, though...I chew gum perpetually, and it seems to help the cravings.

DAMN you all to hell. I ended up buying the Almond M&M's for my mid-afternoon snack.
Pro: fewer calories than other varieties
Con: fewer pieces! and less weight than other varieties

fitnfunmich saidOk so I'm curious, Timberoo: Do you now congratulate yourself for resisting the temptation, or do you regret not having indulged?

Personally I'm a big believer in listening to your body (within reason...), including cravings. So I think you probably should have eaten the damned Peanut M&M's and forgot about it. Afterall, they are likely the healthiest choice in the vending machine anyway, and as long as you don't make a daily ritual out of it I don't see the harm.

That's my problem, once I cave in I'll want them daily. If they had the little Halloween fun sized bags it wouldn't be too bad, but they don't. I have little self control once food is sitting in front of me or in my general vicinity. I've called people in other departments when a vendor brings in donuts to get rid of them faster.

If I dip my double stuffed oreos in skim milk, its better for me, right?

Crimthann saidIf I dip my double stuffed oreos in skim milk, its better for me, right?

I'd think so, unless you are eating the whole package.

Timberoo saidI'd think so, unless you are eating the whole package.

*stops chewing mid-crunch, drops empty box with a plasticky rustle*

Wha??? There's another way to eat Oreos? What's this crazy talk??

Almonds, dry roasted

0.25 cup
34.50 grams
205.96 calories

Nutrient Rating
manganese ... very good
vitamin E ... very good
magnesium ... good
tryptophan ... good
copper ... good
vitamin B2 (riboflavin) ... good
phosphorus ... good

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Lower LDL-Cholesterol and Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

A high-fat food that's good for your health? That's not an oxymoron, its almonds. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health-promoting fats as are found in olive oil, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease.

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Almonds Provide Double-Barreled Protection against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Lessening after-meal surges in blood sugar helps protect against diabetes and cardiovascular disease, most likely by lessening the increase in cholesterol-damaging free radicals that accompanies large elevations in blood sugar. This is one reason why low- glycemic index diets result in lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Almonds appear to not only decrease after-meal rises in blood sugar, but also provide antioxidants to mop up the smaller amounts of free radicals that still result. (Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Journal of Nutrition)

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Whole Almonds (with Skins) Provide Most Heart Healthy Benefits

New research on almonds adds to the growing evidence that eating whole foods is the best way to promote optimal health.

The flavonoids found in almond skins team up with the vitamin E found in their meat to more than double the antioxidant punch either delivers when administered separately, shows a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

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Almond's Healthy Fats May Help You Lose Weight

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders that included 65 overweight and obese adults suggests that an almond-enriched low calorie diet (which is high in monounsaturated fats) can help overweight individuals shed pounds more effectively than a low calorie diet high in complex carbohydrates.

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