Healthier Thai Peanut Sauce with Added Protein

     Healthier Thai Peanut Sauce with Added Protein

I came up with the idea to do this recipe after eating the Thai wraps at a Starbucks recently.  Afterwards it occurred to me that we could improve on the recipe in several ways, mainly by adding a protein infused peanut butter. So while we are copying the idea Starbucks gave us it is not a real copy, more like an inspired by recipe. We are calling it a copy cat recipe because of the huge trend with some whole food blogs being named Copykat.com with great success.

We are huge fans of the TV show, Shark Tank and actually feel a void when it is not a regular part of our week as it motivates me hugely every time I see it.  One of the products that was selected by the sharks was a peanut butter with whey protein added to it called Nuts N' More.

As surely as we hope to be as successful as this idea and love to see it on TV we enjoy buying the products and feeding the fire as much as possible.  We especially love something new when it is made in America and keeping the American dream alive.

Fortunately for Nuts N' More there is a lot of evidence to point to whey protein as the most efficiently used protein by the body that you can buy.  I was at a continuing education course in 2014, the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Symposium when I learned that it is the best protein and best absorbed taken just before bed.

Calculating Protein Intake Needs

I also happen to know that I don't do this enough and that I am having trouble eating the recommended 1.4-1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.   To calculate that from your weight in pounds remember that there are 2.2 pounds per kilogram, cross-multiply and divide to get your wt. in kilograms.

I weigh 175 so 2.2/1 =175/x.   Next, Cross multiply the 175 x 1= 175 divided by 2.2=79.5 so 80 kilograms roughly.  Then you multiply by 1.6 if your lifting weights vigorously and regularly or 1.8 if daily and that is how much protein you need.  Looks like I need 126 or so per day.  Usually I think most of us need to be eating more, I do for sure.

The good news is that lots of Thai food is made with peanuts and peanut butter giving us lots fodder for new, delicious recipes that we will actually want to eat.  Additionally, This sauce is super easy and you can use it for a dip spread or dressing, making for an endless number of possible combinations.   As always, make sure that if you have some kind of liver condition or something that needs special consideration to check the nutrition facts below and when in doubt, check it out with your doctor.   Here is the recipe.

Serve in a large bowl for dipping or as an added ingredient for recipes such as our Thai Chicken Peanut Snack Wraps. 

Starbucks Copy Cat Thai Peanut Chicken Snack Wraps