So my sister says to me, “I’m allergic to nuts.”
So I says, “Oh? In what way are you allergic to nuts?”
So she says, “Nuts give me vertigo.”
So I rolls my eyes because vertigo is not what happens when people are allergic to nuts and EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN GIVES HER VERTIGO, but I’m willing to play along so I says, “Which nuts?”
And she says, “Cashews, almonds, walnuts, peanuts…”
So I says, “Peanuts?”
So she says, “Yeah, nuts like peanuts. Peanuts give me real bad vertigo.”
So I says, “Peanuts ain’t nuts. They’re legumes.”
So she says, “Oh…” And proceeds to eat a spoon of peanut butter. No vertigo.
Peas, peas, peas, peas, eating goober peas. Goodness how delicious! Eating goober peas.
So sang the Confederate army when they were forced to eat nothing but boiled peanuts.
Yes, indeed, peanuts are legumes. They grow underground, a little like potatoes. Here’s a picture:
I’m not saying one can’t be allergic to peanuts. A true nut allergy and a true peanut allergy can be life-threatening. I’m simply saying peanuts are not nuts, but they are nutritious, especially if you stick with stirry peanut butter as opposed to hydrogenated peanut butter- a food substance which I would avoid outside of the apocalypse when all other food substances have been destroyed.
(Most commercial brands of peanut butter are hydrogenated. Which means, basically, a chemical conversion whereby extra hydrogen atoms are added to keep the peanut butter from separating into fats and solids. Hydrogenation in foods means transfats. Plus most commercial brands of peanut butter contain sugar and high amounts of sodium.)
So, what’s in a peanut and in peanut butter? For starters- vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber. Peanuts are also loaded with antioxidants sch as arginine, an amino acid that is a precursor to nitric oxide, which helps expand blood vessels and can decrease blood pressure. Peanuts contain resveratrol, also found in grapes and wine, which may increase longevity, enhance athletic performance, and reduce inflammation.
Peanuts have significant levels of phytosterols. Phytosterols are well known for their ability to reduce cholesterol (although I’m not sure which type of cholesterol peanuts reduce). New research indicates that peanuts may prevent cancer. Flavonoids, a class of compounds also found in peanuts, reduce inflammation and inhibit platelets from sticking to arteries.
But none of that matters. Peanuts and peanut butter taste good. And unless you’re allergic, peanuts are good for you. So I says… enjoy your peanuts!
But they’re not nuts…
No, peanuts are not nuts. There are a lot of peanut farms a little inland from where I live. It’s a big industry. I like my peanuts husked and salted. That’s probably naughty, but too bad.
I love peanuts, whether they are nuts or legumes.
We have a nurse friend who served with Doctors Without Borders. She was part of the team that gave starving infants and very young children the mix of peanut butter, powdered milk and special supplements. The response and survival rate was astounding. She said the reporter who followed them to do an article was concerned that some of the starving babies might be allergic to peanuts. The medical staff rolled their eyes because it seems that of course and American reporter would ask that-Americans are basically the overwhelmingly “allergic to peanuts” group in the entire world. We don’t have any peanut allergies in our family, and she was the first person to recommend Scudder’s Nutty to us. Now you confirm it, too, so it’s a done deal!
Alas, I’m allergic to nuts AND legumes-including soybeans and chickpeas. (Yeah, just snarf down that Chinese food and delicious, delicious hummus in front of me, I don’t mind…) Fortunately I don’t suffer life threatening reactions. Yet. (Non-life threatening reactions are miserable enough.) Even more fortunately, the specific ingredients that do cause reactions are not present in the oils. Which is a good thing because soybean oil and lecithin are in just about everything.
That said, the allergy-phobia in this country is ridiculous. (Banning peanuts in schools! Disallowing homemade treats!) Life-threatening allergies are rare. And don’t even get me started on the absurdities of the anti-gluten movement. Most people don’t even know what gluten is, and if they have celiac disease, they already know to stay the hell away from gluten.
Keep up the good work about sensible eating, Julia.
Peanut allergy is an entirely separate beast from tree nut allergy. I found out this year that I have developed a rather significant tree nut allergy (still have to make that visit to an allergist specializing in food allergies - Lord, give me time!). But I eat peanuts with no problem.
They haven’t pinned it down for sure yet, but there is something in the American diet that must be leading to the peanut allergy - which can be fatal. When George Washington Carver popularized peanuts for everything, we as a nation didn’t have that allergy.
I have a hunch - unprovable - that eating too many tree nuts at a time (they are low carb in comparison to other snacks) is what resulted in me now being allergic to walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans for sure, the others by common sense and implication - I’m not about to try them after spending some time already at the ER.
It is annoying - tree nuts are everywhere. I read online that late-onset happens and that tree nuts are one of the most common allergies - but I’m still annoyed. I miss them!
But I still eat peanut butter in all its forms, and peanuts, with no reaction (watching carefully).
And I really need to get that doctor’s appointment and an epipen before I need it suddenly.
I did not know peanuts weren’t nuts. How long is the shelf life for Laurie Scudder’s peanut butter?
I attribute my being nutty to all the peanuts, nuts, and peanut butter I have eaten in my life time. I have never eaten or seen a peanut or any nuts I do not like. I don’t think there is such a creature.
As always, great and very informative post, Julia.
Thanks, Roberta. I love peanut butter. I don’t like peanuts. Weird, huh? I eat a banana and peanut butter almost every morning.
I think it has a long shelf life, Diana. You can keep it in the fridge but I don’t mind stirring it everyday. We eat at least a jar a week - which is why I don’t know the shelf life.
Yes, Alicia - you need an epi-pen!!! ASAP! Food allergies acquired as an adult occasionally go away after a few years. You might be one of the lucky ones. I have no idea why so many kids are allergic to peanuts! As kids we all, every single one of us, lived on peanut butter.
Thank you, Jaye, and yeah, do not under any circumstances get me started on gluten sensitivity. Celiac Disease is totally real. Much of gluten sensitivity IS NOT. I’m so sad you’re allergic to peanuts. Not sad you’re allergic to soy aside from soy sauce. That’s the only soy product I actually like.
Scudder’s is the best, Marylin! I’ve read a lot about nutritional replacements in poor countries. The stuff they use is amazing. Works great! The other thing that works, and can even be used as an IV fluid replacement, is coconut water. Full of electrolytes and sterile if opened properly.
Steph -
I do love love love peanut butter!
My husband likes peanuts all ways, Greta. They are super good for you, even salted.
I live on peanut butter.
I had forgotten the legume thing.
I love your food articles. I always learn something I didn’t know.
Love all that stuff…food allergies are a fickle bunch. Mine are chicken and whatever chemicals they used to decaffeinate stuff. Decaf? Just a little sip and my throat closes…gasp!
So far (knock on wood) peanut butter is fine.
Food allergies are weird, Anny. I’m allergic to pears. Now that’s a weird allergy! Yikes! I’d never drink coffee!
Peanut butter is my go-to food, Sandra. So easy and nutritious and yummy!