Sure, They’re Delicious, But Are Peanuts Good For You?
2 min
©foodspring
A new crunch to top your salad, a nut butter on toast, or a snack for when you’re on the go – peanuts are always a good idea! But at the end of the day, are peanuts good for you, or do you just think that they are?
Botanically speaking, the peanut is not actually a nut at all, but a legume instead. It was cultivated in Peru around 7,600 years ago and didn’t make its way to Europe until the 19th century.
What Are Their Health Benefits?
The peanut is one of the most high-protein nuts, which makes it perfect for vegetarians and vegans. It’s also a particularly good source of the L-arginine amino acid. It boasts an impressive number of minerals including iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc, as well as B vitamins. Its thin, papery skin also contains naturally occurring antioxidants to fight inflammation. Peanuts are also gluten free and their nutrition profile is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease as part of a healthy lifestyle.
But the peanuts you see in the store may not be natural. Avoid salted nuts roasted in oil and make sure your peanut butter has no added sugars or hydrogenated oils. While peanut oil and other peanut products can also be useful, the best option for your heart health is natural peanuts, with intact shell and skin.
Tip: Our Peanut Butter contains 350 peanuts per jar. Nothing more, nothing less. 100% organic. Rich in vitamins and minerals.
Click here for Nothing but Nuts
Eating Peanuts – Nutrition Information
Of course, every type of nut has some health benefits. To put the benefits of peanuts in perspective, they contain about the same amount of calories as almonds, cashews, and walnuts, but almost twice as much protein. Their fiber content is also higher than other nuts, and they have a mix of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. To make nuts part of a healthy diet, it’s a good idea to go for a mix of varieties. Eating them raw or dry roasted makes the most of their healthy fats without adding more unsaturated fat.
Don’t worry about snacking on a handful of peanuts when you like. Just pay attention to the 630 calories in 100g of peanuts, which can add up to a calorie surplus and sneaky weight gain pretty fast.
Nutrition Information per 100g
- 633 calories
- 14g carbs
- 25g protein
- 50g fat
Eat Peanuts With These Recipes
Peanuts are more than just a popular party snack, they can also really make a difference in the rest of your meals!
Instead of greasy, boring snack foods, score points at your next party with our delicious zoodle salad with peanut-coriander pesto. It’s perfect for a weekday lunch as well!
Or how about a different kind of snack with our vegan chocolate peanut butter protein shake? This creamy treat packs a protein punch with no animal products!
Not convinced that peanuts can be the star of your next dinner? Wait until you taste our spicy vegan peanut stew!
Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall – ice cream is always a good idea! And when you’re eating peanut butter chocolate Protein Ice Cream, you can even treat yourself to an extra-large serving.
Click for your new favorite ice cream
More Than Just Peanut Butter
Everything you need to know about peanuts in summary:
– 100g of peanuts have 25g protein
– Peanuts are associated with a lower risk of death
– Peanut skins contain antioxidants with big benefits for your health
Conclusion
Even though they’re technically legumes, peanuts are still known as the nuts with the highest amount of protein. They should still be enjoyed with care because they also have a relatively high number of calories. Pay attention to how your nuts have been processed and choose those without added oil and salt.
Sources for this article
We at foodspring use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
