Growing up in an American household means automatically becoming a peanut butter fan (well, unless you have allergies).
Everyone in the house somehow loved PB&J sandwiches or simply having a quick spoonful from the peanut butter container before heading out, pets included. Peanut butter is as necessary as it is tasty.
But is this kind of butter a dairy product, and does it have lactose?
Peanut butter is only butter by name and not by composition. This condiment does not contain any milk or dairy in it, and neither does it have lactose. It is, therefore, safe for anyone on a lactose-free or dairy-free diet.
Keep reading to find out more about peanut butter.
What is Peanut Butter Used For?
Peanut Butter is such a versatile product that we believe it is greatly underused. Most times, PB goes on a sandwich or is used as a sauce for certain foods. But it has so many other edible and inedible uses other than these.
Here is a list of some of the ways you can use peanut butter in your kitchen:
PB&J Sandwiches
Of course, mentioning other peanut butter uses would be criminal without starting with this classic one.
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches have been an all-time American snack that we dare say they are a staple food.
Whether you have one for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a teatime snack, this sandwich will forever have a place in our hearts and stomachs.
PB Cookies
Some of the best-loved cookies in the US are peanut butter cookies. It is no wonder that girl scouts never miss them when doing their regular fundraising events.
PB Ice cream
If you have never thought of putting a stick inside a jar of peanut butter and freezing it, then you haven’t been living. This delicious treat is especially great for watching late-night films.
As a Sauce
Many cultures, including Asians and Africans, have used peanut butter as an ingredient in their cooking.
You can either directly add it to your pot of boiling stew or have it as a separate dipping sauce.
It is especially tasty with meat, tofu, and certain seafood.
PB Smoothie
Did you know you can drink peanut butter as well? Think of the flavor you get from a PB&J sandwich but in a cup.
Just throw in a few tablespoons of peanut butter together with some grapes, berries, or banana slices in a blender, and enjoy the magic that results.
Removing Gum from Hair
Most of us have fallen asleep with a piece of chewing gum in our mouths, only to wake up with it stuck in our hair.
Most of us have panicked and ended up cutting up our hair out of frustration.
But we have good news in case this incident ever repeats itself. Simply apply a small amount of peanut butter onto the hair with stuck gum and watch it slowly peel off.
Do this until all the gum comes off, wash your hair, and voila.
Leather Cleaner
If you are an avid leather lover, you know that your jacket, belt, or shoes require regular and careful cleaning.
You cannot use just any soap and water concoction to avoid damaging your clothing.
In case you do not have store-bought leather cream, you can always use peanut butter instead.
Put a small amount on a damp cloth and clean your leather in gentle circular motions. Watch your leather shine for the rest of the day.
Metal Lubricant
If you have rusty, squeaky, or stuck metal parts on your doors or drawers, consider using peanut butter to make them move more smoothly. It works just as great as oil lubricants.
Shaving Cream
Peanut butter is a good shaving cream alternative. It not only leaves your skin feeling smoother but also tastes amazing, unlike normal cream.
Giving Pets Medication
Have you tried giving your dog or cat their pill only to watch them repeatedly spit it out? Try hiding it in a lump of peanut butter and watch your pet swallow it up.
Does Peanut Butter Really Have Butter in it?
Contrary to popular belief, butter is not a product but a description of food texture.
Even though when we say butter, we mean dairy butter, the truth is butter is any food that has the same consistency as the more common dairy butter.
Some other kinds of butter include Almond butter, Cocoa butter, Shea butter, Cookie butter, etc.
Peanut butter does not have milk butter in it.
Is Peanut Butter a Dairy Product?
Peanut does not contain milk or any other dairy product, so it is dairy-free.
Peanut Butter Ingredients
Plain or regular peanut butter should have just one ingredient: ground, roasted peanuts.
However, most commercial peanut butter brands add other ingredients, including salt, sugar, oil, and sometimes honey.
There are four main types of peanut butter, i.e.:
- Crunchy– Has mixed textures with some peanuts being coarsely ground. May contain vegetable oil.
- Smooth– All peanuts are ground uniformly to form a consistent texture. Most smooth peanut butter has oil added to them to keep the butter together.
- Natural– Contains just peanuts and salt. It could be crunchy or smooth, depending on the level of processing. It could also be commercially produced.
- Artisanal– Produced using traditional hand grinding methods and also contains peanuts and salt only. It has a specific market and is rarely commercially sold.
Peanut butter can also be powdered which is mainly used as a baking additive. Powdered peanut butter is available online or in most grocery stores.
So Can Lactose Intolerant People Consume Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter, as an independent product, does not have any lactose-containing ingredient and is, therefore, safe for lactose-intolerant people.
However, it is always important to know that some commercial peanut butter brands may have the same production lines as milk and other dairy products, therefore having the risk of cross-contamination.
Always read the peanut butter containers’ labels to ensure there is no contamination.
Natural Peanut Butter Nutrition Profile
Here is a summary of the nutrition information of peanut butter per daily recommended serving (two tablespoons, 32 grams):
| NUTRIENT | AMOUNT |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Protein | 9g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Others (minerals and vitamins) | 3% |
Peanut Butter Health Benefits
Apart from being highly delicious, peanut butter has several health benefits to it. Here are some of them:
Improves Heart Health
Peanut butter contains Oleic Acid, which lowers the cholesterol levels in the human blood, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Potentially Prevents Osteoporosis
With high copper levels, peanut butter helps keep your bones strong and fortified therefore preventing or reducing the chances of developing osteoporosis.
Anti-cancerous
Peanut butter contains minerals and nutrients like Manganese and Vitamin E, both of which have strong antioxidant properties.
These nutrients help fight harmful cell reproduction while also repairing any cell damage in the body.
Weight management
Peanut butter is not only high in protein, but it’s also slow to digest in the body. Taking peanut butter with your meals will leave you feeling full for a longer time, thus reducing unnecessary snack cravings. Incorporating it into your diet can aid in weight management.
Read Also: What Does Kewpie Mayo Taste Like?
Is it Okay to Eat Peanut Butter Every Day?
Although excessive consumption of peanut butter (especially commercial brands) can lead to unwanted weight gain due to added sugar, an increase in the chances of developing heart complications from fat cholesterol, and sodium-related illnesses from the salt, having it in moderation is okay.
According to some research having two tablespoons of peanut butter every day is completely healthy.
