Are peanuts beneficial to your child’s health?
Peanut butter goes well with almost any snack. It pairs wonderfully with bananas, apples, carrots, pretzels, crackers, and many other foods.
Today, March 1, is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. As such, we are talking about the health benefits of peanuts for kids. The nutrient-dense composition of peanuts and peanut butter can have a positive impact on your child’s everyday health – and the benefits begin at a young age! Peanuts are an inexpensive way to provide nourishment to children of all ages, from disease prevention to healthy growth and life extension.
Peanuts and your child’s health
As children develop, they require more protein, which must come from nutritious sources. Peanuts provide more plant-based protein than any other nut, which is why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends peanuts and peanut butter to help youngsters fulfill their protein needs. Peanuts and peanut butter not only keep youngsters satiated for longer, but they also promote healthy development.
Protein’s beneficial effects
- Contributes to brain development
- Assists in the formation of healthy bones
- Allows for muscle growth
- Assists in the development of the immune system
Arginine promotes growth in children
Arginine is an amino acid that promotes growth in children. Getting arginine from food (rather than supplements) has been linked to faster and more linear growth, even more than overall protein intake. The great news is that peanuts have more arginine than almost any other food.
The brain and peanuts
Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in peanut butter. These are the same fats found in most fish. These omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for your child’s brain growth. As your child grows, he or she will require a steady supply of these fatty acids. Peanuts and peanut butter can aid in the development of a healthy, expanding brainpower. They contain numerous key components for your child’s brain development, including:
- B vitamins, which aid in the creation of energy and the correct development of the brain.
- Choline, which improves concentration and the function of neurotransmitters (molecules that transport signals between the brain and the body).
- Copper, which improves concentration and, in conjunction with polyunsaturated fatty acids, aids in the production of neurons.
Smooth versus chunky
Peanut butter is made in two varieties: chunky and smooth. Smooth peanut butter is popular among younger children, whereas chunky peanut butter is popular among older children. Let your child try both and choose which they prefer.
A word on peanut allergies
Peanut butter is a high-risk food for newborns under one-year-old. Because the danger of developing a peanut allergy in babies is significant, it is not suggested to feed peanut butter to infants under the age of one year. You should only introduce peanut butter to your infant when he or she has reached the age of 1½ years old.
