International Peanut Butter Day – January 24

Happy International Peanut Butter Day😋

Intro

Peanut butter is good for muscle building and peanut butter is good for weight loss. Peanut butter is a great choice for healthy eating. Slathered atop toast, dunked with an apple, or eaten straight off the spoon (come on, you know you do that) – peanut butter is an easy go-to snack that satisfies. So on the 24th January put down your cell phones/ mobiles and pick up your spreading knives to celebrate National (and International) Peanut Butter Day.

Peanut butter, especially when it is just ground peanuts is an extremely healthy food that is full of healthy fiber, monounsaturated fats that are so good for our heart, and are high in plant-based proteins that support muscle health.

Dana Ellis Hunnes Ph.D., R.D., author of Recipe For Survival.

Where did it all begin

When Marcellus Gilmore Edson first patented peanut butter in 1884, he probably didn’t realize it would become a taste sensation that would over the years sweep the United States, Canada and many other countries around the world.

One popular theory suggests a resident of New York, Rose Davis started making peanut butter. Other historians maintain that the Canadian chemist Marcellus Gilmore Edson filed the first patent for his ‘peanut candy.’

National or International Peanut Butter Day

24th January is National Peanut Butter Day in the United States. However China, followed by India are now the world’s two largest producers and consumers of peanut butter. Since peanut butter is also very popular in parts of Africa particularly West Africa and South Africa, the 24th January can now be considered International Peanut Butter Day .

Nutrition Information

Peanut butter is a protein-packed spread popular in many countries. It’s made of ground peanuts — often roasted first — blended into a thick paste. 

The final product contains a range of nutrients that may offer health-boosting benefits. However, it’s important to check the label when buying peanut butter. Many brands today add ingredients like sugar, vegetable oil, and trans fats that can reduce its nutritional value. 

Natural peanut butter is available at health food stores and specialty grocers, and can be easily found online. Look for a product that contains no additives other than a little salt. 

You can also make peanut butter at home by blending peanuts in a food processor until you reach your desired texture.

A quarter-cup of peanuts (the approximate amount in a 2 tablespoon serving of peanut butter) contains: 

• Calories: 207
• Protein: 9 grams
• Fat: 18 grams
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram

Potential Health Benefits of Peanut Butter

Improved Heart Health

Reduced Risk of Diabetes

Anticancer Properties

Aid in Weight Management

Which Country Has the Highest Consumption of Peanut Butter

By volume, China is the largest peanut butter supplier worldwide and produces 3 times the amount of peanut butter than the second highest producer, which is India. The USA comes third. China is also the largest consumer of peanut butter worldwide by volume, eating twice as much as India. The United States is the 3rd largest consumer of peanut butter.

Is Peanut Butter Popular in the United States and Europe

Peanut Butter became very popular in the United States because peanuts were widely grown in southern parts of the country. Almost no one grows peanuts in Europe, so they have never been a particularly popular food, and by extension, peanut butter has never been a particularly popular food.

Why do Americans like Peanut Butter so much

Peanut butter, with its creamy texture and savory-sweet flavor profile, has been a favorite in American households for generations.” “It reminds us of simpler times and those PB&J sandwiches that were a lunchtime staple.

Celebrity Chef George Duran addressing the Food Institute

US Celebrities who Love Peanut Butter

There are many celebrities who are part of the Adult Peanut Butter Lovers’ Fan Club. They include Bill Clinton, Julia Childs, Jack Nicholson, Tom Selleck, Kim Basinger, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Cher and others. The late Larry King was a great lover of peanut butter.

Is Peanut Butter Popular in Africa

Peanut butter became popular in African countries due to the widespread cultivation of peanuts in the region. Peanuts are a staple crop in many African countries, and peanut butter is a nutritious and versatile food product that can be easily made from locally grown peanuts.

Is Peanut Butter Popular in South Africa

A definite YES! The South African nut industry is the world’s largest producer and exporter of macadamia nuts. It also produces pecans, and on a smaller scale, walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, and peanuts. Peanuts are the most consumed nuts in the country as they were, until quite recently, relatively inexpensive.

In which Countries is Peanut Butter not Popular

• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Sweden
• Israel
• Brazil
• Indonesia
• Ecuador
• Japan

Healthier Alternatives?

Many nuts have a similar nutrient profile to peanuts, but some offer a better source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These alternatives may also be suitable for people with peanut allergies, although you should talk to your doctor to make sure a nut butter is safe for you. 

Nut butters that may be healthier alternatives to peanut butter include:

Almond Butter 

Almonds have the highest concentration of nutrients per ounce. They also contain omega-3s, which peanuts lack. 

Macadamia Nut Butter 

While they contain more calories than peanuts, macadamias have the highest amount of healthy fats of any nut. One study found that its nutrients may help prevent coronary artery disease. 

Walnut Butter 

Walnuts are a great source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and contain less fat and calories than peanuts.

Read more

• National Peanut Board
• National Peanut Butter Day – January 24, 2023
• Peanut Butter Is Healthy—if You Follow This 1 Rule
• Peanut Butter: Is It Good for You?

Sources:

• Featured photo by Freddy G on Unsplash
• Photo by Connor Danylenko

On the 24th January put down your cell phones/ mobiles and pick up your spreading knives to celebrate National (and International) Peanut Butter Day… better still, celebrate Peanut Butter Day every day – it is good for you 😋😋