Protein Packer

As costs pile up with textbooks, class fees and rent we all need to be conscious of our spending. According to an article (shift+click) over at MSNBC.com suggestions for food spending should range from 5% to 15% of your monthly budget. There is a certain affordable spread that happens to be a fan favorite for most. Both creamy and crunchy, the super food in question is peanut butter.

Slap some peanut butter down on a slice of wheat bread and pair it with another slice smeared with jelly and you have a cheap and appetizing snack. Just ask our Intramural Supervisor Joshua Pullens what’s on his menu, and he’ll always reply “peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

Peanut butter is an inexpensive purchase at the grocery store and can last a long time in your cupboard. Helping contribute to what I refer to as “ballin’ on a budget,” peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have always come through in a time of need or financial constraints. But you don’t always have to enjoy this amazing mixture in a sandwich, there are plenty of other possibilities.

An astonishing statistic noted by Men’s Fitness Magazine reports that 90% of American kitchens have peanut butter. You can enjoy peanut butter with celery sticks; slap it on your pancakes or make delicious cookies. According to Fooducate.com “peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.”

Peanut butter is also a great source of protein and contains 100 calories per tablespoon. Suitable for all meals, this versatile food is a must-have for any kitchen or dorm room. Feel free to add any peanut butter recipes you have in the comments section.

-Andrew Reddish