6 Fun Facts About Peanut Butter

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today, January 25th is National Peanut Butter Day! Whether this spread is added to a smoothie with almond milk and banana, spread between slices of toasted bread with fruit jam, or slathered on a crisp celery stalk, peanut butter is an extremely popular food. To celebrate, I am sharing some healthy, fun and surprising facts about this lunchtime favorite…

1. Nine out of ten Americans eat peanut butter; the average American consumes 3 pounds of peanut butter a year. That’s 800 million pounds of peanut butter! On any given day, 75% percent of homes in the United States will have a peanut butter jar in the pantry or fridge.

2. Despite the name, peanuts are not nuts; they are technically legumes (peanuts are in the bean family). Peanuts are a new world food, most likely originating in Brazil and migrating north to Mexico. Evidence suggests the Aztecs mashed them into a paste as recently as 500 years ago.

3. Sixty percent of the peanuts are grown in the southeastern United States (in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama), half of which are then processed into peanut butter. One acre yields enough peanuts for the preparation of 30,000 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.

4. Peanuts are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. Peanut butter is a good source of protein; every serving provides 8 grams, or about 16% percent of the recommended daily value. While a single 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter has 190 calories which may seem high, the healthy combination of protein and fats will keep you satiated for a longer period of time than low-calorie snacks made of refined carbohydrates and sugars.

6. “Arachibutyrophobia” is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. Sure, it may be sticky, but boy is it delicious!

Are you a peanut butter fan like I am? Share your favorite ways you use peanut butter for breakfast, lunch and snacks in the comments below and until next week, be happy, healthy, and beautiful!