Peanut Butter Power Up

Do your children eat more fruits and vegetables when they can dip them in peanut butter? According to the National Peanut Board, 64% of children surveyed reported they will eat more fruits and vegetables when their favorite peanut butter dip is available. As long as your child doesn’t have a peanut allergy, peanut butter is a terrific way to help your children try different foods.

Peanut butter is rich in essential nutrients. According to USDA's FoodData Central, just 2 tablespoons provide 7 grams of protein. Additionally, it serves as a great source of niacin, manganese, vitamin E, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus, and fiber.

The Peanut Institute reports that to be called peanut butter, both traditional and “natural” types must contain a minimum of 90% peanuts, with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. Commercial peanut butters are blended or homogenized for convenience and for creaminess. Whereas “natural” peanut butters can separate, requiring stirring and are not as smooth in texture.

If you or your children get fidgety or fussy in the afternoon with dinner still hours away, try offering a snack that includes peanut butter. Spread it on whole grain crackers or bread, make a dip for fruits and veggies, or a peanut butter-banana tortilla roll-up. A nutrient dense snack like one of these will keep you feeling full longer and give you an energy boost to get through the rest of the day.

National Peanut Board Peanut Butter Fun Facts:

• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• There are enough peanuts in one acre to make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.
• Sixty percent of consumers prefer creamy peanut butter over crunchy.
• The average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he/she graduates high school.