My Healthy Heart’s a Flutter for Peanut Butter

Whether you go crunchy or creamy, with jelly or without, today is all about recognizing those of us with a mutual love of peanut butter! Happy National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day! Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter, so we know there are a large group of us celebrating today!

Good for you facts:

In general, peanut butter contains over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. It also is a great source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. Peanut butter is also an excellent source of B vitamins (specifically niacin and folate), which can also be lacking in a meat-free diet. This favorite snack also provides important omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Tips for getting the most of this healthy snack:

When buying peanut butter, try and stick to natural or organic varieties. A lot of our “go to” brands contain added sugar and salt. As we peanut butter lovers know, our PB is perfect just the way it is; we do not need anything unnecessary tainting its healthy reputation.

Try to resist:

One thing to remember with peanut butter is pay attention to portion size. A standard serving is about 2 tablespoons (roughly the size of a golf ball). This is the perfect amount for dunking and smearing so try to resist going too nutty and eating more than that in one sitting. The calories and fat can add up fast.

Get your head out of the jar and get creative!

Another thing that makes peanut butter so wonderful is its versatility. It is a great snack for kids when paired with apple slices or celery sticks, and of course, when eaten in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It can be used to top sweet potatoes in place of butter. This way you still get the texture you crave from butter, but without the saturated fat. Mix it into plain oatmeal with some berries for a nutrient packed breakfast reminiscent of your favorite childhood classic. Get really creative and incorporate peanut butter into sauces to get a Thai inspired taste!

Even though you don’t have to tell us twice, peanut butter is great and so are the people who love it!

So grab a jar and show it some love in every meal you make today! I can’t wait to hear!