One of the cupboard staples I usually keep on hand is peanut butter. With only one ingredient, I can make incredibly easy homemade cookies, add protein to my morning smoothie, or even quickly make a fantastic supper. But I’ve always wondered if peanuts and peanut butter are actually healthy for my children.

The nutrient-dense composition of peanuts and peanut butter can enhance our everyday health, and the advantages begin early! Peanuts are an affordable way to give kids the nutrition they need at every stage of development, preventing illness, promoting healthy development, and lengthening life expectancy. In fact, experts at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) have created new recommendations that suggest giving peanut protein to neonates as early as 4-6 months of age in order to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies.

The Body and the Peanuts

Children who are growing need more protein, which needs to come from good sources. In part, because peanuts have the highest proportion of plant-based protein of any nut, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests peanuts and peanut butter help kids achieve their protein needs. Children can feel fuller for longer by eating peanuts and peanut butter, which also encourages healthy growth.

The Benefits of Protein:

• promoting the growth of the brain,
• aiding us to create strong bones,
• facilitating muscular development,
• strengthening the immune system,
• promoting quick growth.

Arginine Aids Child Growth

Arginine is an amino acid that promotes children’s growth. Getting arginine through food (as opposed to supplements) has been connected to a quicker growth velocity and linear growth—even more so than general protein intake. Peanuts have the highest concentration of arginine compared to practically all other foods. It has been shown that peanuts contain more than twice as much arginine as other foods like beef and chicken. For a child’s healthy growth and development, peanuts are a great source of arginine and should be included in their diet.

Brains and Peanuts

Peanuts and peanut butter are also good for a healthy, developing intellect! Additionally, they’re incredibly great for adult minds! They contain a number of components essential to brain development, such as:

• B vitamins support healthy brain growth and energy generation.
• Choline fosters focus and enhances the activity of neurotransmitters, which are molecules that transmit signals throughout the body and brain.
• Along with polyunsaturated fatty acids, copper helps create neurons and improves focus.

Peanuts benefit children of all ages

Children can grow into healthy adults and feel their best with the protein, healthy nutrients, and unique bioactive found in peanuts and peanut butter. They are a choice for your snack-time option that both kids and adults can agree on. In addition to having nutritional value, peanuts and peanut butter are very adaptable, so they may be used with a variety of foods to add flavour and energy.

Would you like to know why peanut butter should be part of your daily diet? Click Here