If you’re looking for something delicious to snack on, it’s more than likely that you’re reaching for peanuts. Whether that’s a handful of dry roasted peanuts or a spoonful of peanut butter, peanut products can bring a smile to any face, and quench the hunger of any growling stomach. But as many peanuts as people tend to eat, what makes the peanut so special? Where did it come from and what benefits does it have to offer besides the taste. Let’s explore that!
Peanut History
- While there is no official recording of the products initial introduction, it is estimated that the peanut plant originated in Peru or Brazil.
- The Incans of Peru were said to have used peanuts for burial rituals even in the time of 1500 B.C.
- The popularity of peanuts spread once the Spanish first traveled through Mexico, bringing them with them back to Spain
- George Washington Carver, an acclaimed scientist, is one of the most prominent names in American peanut history, particularly for his suggestions to introduce peanuts as a commodity crop in the U.S.
Peanut Facts: Allergies
While we might think that peanut allergies are prevalent among the American population, this notion is actually untrue. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that more than 98% of American children can enjoy peanut products and products containing peanuts. While people with food allergies are most likely to be allergic to foods like tree nuts, peanuts, or milk, the actual population of Americans with food allergies is at approximately 4% for both adults and children under the age of 18.
Real Peanut Butter Facts
- It takes nearly 540 peanuts to produce one 12-ounce jar of peanut butter
- South American Incans are considered to be the first people to grind peanuts into peanut butter, but the first noted “invention” of peanut butter arrived in 1895 by the hands of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
- Peanuts and peanut butter are the most popular food products in the U.S.
- Peanut butter accounts for nearly half of all of the use of peanuts in America
- U.S. peanuts do not feature GMOs, so checking the dry roasted peanuts nutrition facts on your jar of peanut butter will show that you’re getting the most natural product
Is Peanut Butter Good For You?
When consumed conservatively, peanut butter can be a great addition to your diet. Studies regarding dry roasted peanuts nutrition facts show that of the 15,000 adults and children that ate peanuts and peanuts products were found to reach higher Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, iron, and fiber. Similarly, people who eat peanuts are more likely to have higher-quality diets than those who do not. Furthermore, we can look more closely at dry roasted peanuts nutrition facts to determine just how good these little food items are when added into our diets.
Dry Roasted Peanuts Nutrition Facts
Considering a one-ounce serving — about a handful — of peanuts, let’s consider the beneficial dry roasted peanuts nutritional facts:
- There are about 7 grams of protein per handful of peanuts
- There are 14 grams of fat per ounce
- There are only 4.6 grams of carbohydrates per handful of peanuts
- One ounce of peanuts offers 12% of the RDAs for magnesium
If you’re someone who is looking for a high-fat, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, then these dry roasted peanuts nutrition facts for you. Or, simple enough, if you’re interested in balancing out your diet with some healthy fats, these dry roasted peanuts nutrition facts can guide you towards a healthy, well-balanced meal plan. So consider spreading an extra bit of peanut butter on your toast next time it pops out of the toaster,.
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