Peanut butter facts for kids

Peanut butter in a jar

A woman preparing peanut butter in Guinea-Bissau

Peanut butter is a yummy, thick paste made from peanuts that have been roasted and crushed. You can find two main types: crunchy (which has small pieces of peanuts in it) and smooth (which is super creamy). People often eat it on bread, sometimes with jelly to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You can also have a plain peanut butter sandwich. Did you know that Marcellus Gilmore Edson was the person who really invented peanut butter? It wasn't George Washington Carver, as some people think.

Every year, January 24 is celebrated as National Peanut Butter Day!

Is Peanut Butter Healthy?

Peanut butter can be good for your heart! It's packed with important nutrients like lots of protein, Vitamin E, magnesium, folate, and healthy fiber. These things help your body stay strong and work well.

However, some people have a serious peanut allergy. Eating or even smelling peanut butter can make them very sick. Because of this, some schools have decided that students cannot bring peanut butter to school to keep everyone safe.

Sometimes, oils are added to peanut butter to make it easier to spread. It's good to check the ingredients to make sure you're eating the healthiest kind. Also, like many foods, if peanut butter isn't handled properly, it could carry germs like salmonella, which can make people feel unwell.

Peanut Butter and Energy

Peanut butter gives you a lot of energy! A small serving has about 188 calories. Most of this energy comes from healthy fats (about 71%), with some protein (14%) and carbohydrates (15%) too. Even though it has fat, some studies suggest that including peanut butter in your diet might help you feel full and manage your weight.

What's in Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is usually made with just a few simple ingredients:

• Peanuts
• Sugar
• Salt
• Vegetable oil

Images for kids

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  An old patent for making peanut candy, which is related to peanut butter.

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  A Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) kit, which is a special food package, showing peanut butter packets inside.

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  Delicious peanut butter cookies, a popular treat made with peanut butter.

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  Buckeyes, a type of sweet treat that has a peanut butter center covered in chocolate.

See also

In Spanish: Mantequilla de cacahuete para niños