The Many Health Benefits of Peanuts

We hope you enjoy this content. Just so you know, this website may collect a share of sales or other payment from any links, products, or videos on this page.

The content on this site is informational only, and is not intended to be professional advice. Please consult your attorney, doctor, or financial advisor before making any decisions.

Heart healthy peanuts

Who doesn’t enjoy the occasional healthy snack, especially if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle? Did you know that many people prefer a high protein snack over, say, a slice of cake or a cookie, though? One great option for a high protein snack, in particular, is a handful of peanuts. That’s not to say peanuts in other forms isn’t an acceptable snack. After all, who doesn’t like peanut butter? But why are peanuts such a great option as a high protein snack? What is the nutritional breakdown of peanuts or peanut benefits? Let’s find out.

One of the reasons why peanuts are such a good snack over others is that a serving of the nuts can provide nearly 15 percent of an individual’s reference daily intake (RFI) of protein. Additionally, they’re packed with an impressive 7.3 grams of protein and a respectable 2.4 grams of fiber in each serving, making them an ideal snack choice for anyone looking to stick to a weight loss program.

While raw peanuts are definitely a great snack choice, there is no denying how popular peanut butter is, and rightly so. From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to Reese’s peanut butter cups, Americans love their peanut butter. But did you know that the majority prefers smooth over chunky peanut butter, or that an estimated 90 percent of households in America consumer peanut butter on a regular basis?

Given the popularity of peanut butter, how much of the delicious concoction is produced each year? Is there more than one kind of peanut manufacturers use? For starters, you may be surprised to learn that there are actually four different types of peanuts in the U.S., including Runner, Virginia, Spanish, and Valencia. Also, to make just one 12-ounce jar of the creamy goodness takes nearly 540 peanuts. That’s a lot of peanuts, but by law, peanut butter producers are required to use at least 90 percent of peanuts in their peanut butter.

So what do you prefer? Creamy or chunky peanut butter? Does your family keep a jar of peanut butter in the pantry at all times like many other Americans? What about peanuts? If you’re not already hooked, now is the time to purchase a bag of raw peanuts to begin enjoying the peanut nutrients and other health benefits of peanuts.