When people are trying to watch their weight or lower the fat content of their diet, peanut butter is generally one of the first things to go. This is really too bad because peanut butter is very nutritious and it's incredibly satisfying, for both your appetite and your emotions (consider the comfy childhood memories it recalls). Believe it or not, a creamy tablespoon of peanut butter is a better late night snack than a dry, but supposedly skinny rice cake (you have peanut butter's protein content to thank for that). The protein and fat combination is actually peanut butter's secret weapon — a small amount can keep you feeling full for a longer period of time than food that is mainly sugar or carbohydrate. Besides being a decent source of protein, the lowly peanut also contains vitamin E, niacin, folic acid, phosphorus and magnesium - nutrients that you need every day. And if you're worried about hydrogenated oils, keep in mind that regular peanut butter has such a miniscule amount of partially hydrogenated oil that you could eat peanut butter sandwiches every day for 30 years and never have an ill effect. Still wary? Then buy natural peanut butter, which has none. So if you've been shying away from peanut butter, welcome it back into your life. Prevention Magazine has even created an amazing peanut butter diet, if you are looking to lose a few pounds.