PEANUTS?!
Peanuts are known to be a major allergen. Peanuts (often in the form of peanut butter), because of their widespread use in the American diet, create health problems for many children and adults.
Aflatoxin, a content of peanuts, is known to be a liver cancer causing agent when ingested in large enough quantities. Many of the most popular peanut butters contain sugar and additives, which can cause another whole set of health problems seen in individuals.
Any nut can be used to replace the more popular peanut butter in sandwiches, sauces, spreads, salad dressings, and fruit salads. When using a recipe that calls for peanut butter, simply replace it with any other nut butter, using water to thin it if necessary.
Nut butter is simply ground and roasted nuts or seeds. No additives are necessary, though some producers add oil to thin the product. Refrigeration is suggested after opening the seal. A variety of these products can be found at local food co-ops. More common butters, such as almond, are becoming available at local supermarkets. Other choices include cashew, hazelnut, sesame, pecan, and sunflower. These are available at co-ops, but you can make your own at home from any nuts or seeds.
Alternatives to peanut butter include:
| Calories | Prot (g) | Fat (g) | Ca (mg) | Mg (mg) | K (mg) | PUFA/SFA (g) | |
| Almond Butter | 101 | 2.4 | 9.5 | 43 | 48 | 121 | 2.0/0.9 |
| Cashew Butter | 84 | 2.5 | 7.0 | 6 | 37 | 76 | 1.2/1.4 |
| Peanut Butter | 95 | 4.5 | 8.4 | 5 | 25 | 156 | 2.5/1.7 |
| Sesame Butter (tahini) | 89 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 64 | 14 | 62 | 3.5/1.1 |
Nutritional information taken from Bowel and Church’s Food Values of Portions Commonly Used, 15th edition, by Jean A. T. Penington.
Note: All information is per tablespoon of nut butter.
CHILDREN AND NUT BUTTERS
Presentation is important. Let them choose which new butter to try. Pick a new one each week until you find one that works. Experiment and give it a chance. Suggestions:
- If you want to thin a nut butter, try mixing it with water, dates, or a little honey.
- Blending a butter with tofu gives it a fluffy appearance.
- Try nut butters on rice cakes with a little honey, on carrot or celery sticks, or on an apple wedge.
- Creativity and perseverance will produce a delicious and practical alternative to peanut butter.
Note: The cost of the suggested nut butters are usually higher than the popular peanut butters. You are paying to keep out allergens, additives, and aflatoxins.
If you are allergic to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil…give me call at 970-889-3541. There is a wonderful homeopathic remedy you should always carry with you in case of anaphylaxis occurring by accidental ingestion. This remedy could save your life. It did from my friend Mark when he ate peanuts on the Grand Canyon. He would of been helicopters out otherwise.
