Get the Scoop on Peanut Allergies

For most, peanut butter is a nutritious snack. For an estimated 2 percent of the population, eating or coming in contact with peanuts can cause a severe allergic reaction. There is no known cure and the only prevention is strict avoidance.

• Allergy sufferers must always wear a Medic Alert bracelet and carry an EpiPen, an emergency form of epinephrine. It stalls symptoms for 10 to 20 minutes until full medical attention is available.
• Even trace amounts of peanuts can prove fatal. Stay alert! Peanut butter is sometimes used to thicken chili or seal egg rolls.
• Labels on some imported products contain the term 'groundnuts.' If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer.
• Some physicians suggest that women who eat peanuts or peanut butter during pregnancy or while breast-feeding can put their fetus or infant at risk of developing the allergy later in life. If you're concerned, ask your doctor.
• Peanuts and peanut butter should not be introduced to children before the age of one because their immune systems are still immature. Canadian health experts suggest children from a family with allergies should not be introduced to peanut butter until the age of two.

For more information contact: Allergy and Asthma Information Association. Call (416) 783-8944.

Did you Know?

• In 1890 a St. Louis, Missouri physician invented peanut butter as a protein substitute for people with bad teeth who couldn't chew meat.
• The peanut is not a nut, but like beans and peas, a member of the legume family.
• A 12 oz jar of peanut butter contains approximately 500 peanuts.
• By the time most kids have graduated from high school they've eaten an estimated 1,500 peanut butter sandwiches. That's enough to cover a football field!
• Peanut butter is found in the pantries of 91 percent of Canadian households. We consume 71 million pounds of peanut butter every year.

Nutty News

• Eating peanut butter satisfies hunger and helps keep kids from reaching for empty-calorie snacks.
• According to the Nurses' Health Study at Harvard University, eating one serving of nuts or peanut butter five or more times per week may reduce the risk of heart disease by 35 percent.
• 2 Tbsp of smooth peanut butter fills a sandwich with about 190 calories, 8 grams of protein and 15 grams of fat. Canadian healthy eating guidelines suggest women (and men over 50) consume about 60 grams of fat per day For younger men, 90 grams is recommended.
• In addition to monounsaturated fat (a healthy fat) peanut butter also contains other important nutrients such as vitamin E, folic acid, niacin, thiamine and magnesium.
• Canada's Food Guide for Healthy Eating recommends 2 to 3 servings per day from the Meat and Alternatives group. Kraft Peanut Butter can help you meet this recommendation.

Peanut Power

One Meat and Alternatives serving equals:

• 2 Tbsp peanut butter
• 1 to 2 eggs
• 2 to 3 oz fish, poultry or meat
• 3 oz tofu
• 1/2 to 1 cup beans/lentils
• Kraft Peanut Butter is a nutritious choice from the Meat and Alternatives food group because it provides protein, essential nutrients and 'good fats'

Recipes

Chicken Satay
Better-for-You Peanut Butter Cookies
Nutty Fruity Munch Mix
PB & J French Toast
Peanutty Stir-Fry Salad
Pleasin' Peanut Pancakes
Pork Chops Mexicana