What Is the Best Kind of Peanut Butter for Toddlers?
January 2023
Author:
CPT. Kim Whitbeck, MS, RD
Coauthors:
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
CPT. Kim Whitbeck, MS, RD
Coauthors:
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
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Inside: Childhood nutrition and feeding experts explain everything parents and caregivers need to know about serving peanut butter to children. Learn the best peanut butter for toddlers and kids, how to serve it safely, top brands and more.
Searching for the best peanut butter for toddlers and kids? With so many kind of peanut butters on the market these days, it can be confusing to find the right one for children.
In this article, we explain what to look for when choosing a peanut butter to serve your child. We discuss the benefits of peanut butter, how to serve it safely to prevent choking, what kind is best for toddlers and ways to serve it so children actually want to try it.
Introducing peanut butter offers kids and toddlers many benefits, including reduced allergen risk. Peanut butter is also a good source of protein, calories and heart-healthy fats for kids.
The benefits of peanut butter for kids
Peanut butter provides protein, which is important for the growth and repair of your child’s muscles, bones and organs.
The monounsaturated fats found in peanut butter benefit toddlers’ and kids’ brain, nerve and eye development.
Your child can also get iron from peanut butter, which is needed for growth and development of their brain and bodies.
Please note: If your child has a peanut allergy, do not serve them peanut butter as it can cause a life-threatening reaction.
Is too much peanut butter bad for kids?
Peanut butter offers many health benefits for children, but like many foods, it should be consumed in moderation.
When a child fills up on one food, they miss nutrients and minerals from other foods. A varied diet ensures a child gets all the nutrients and minerals they need.
Is peanut butter constipating for toddlers?
One food cannot directly cause constipation in toddlers. Peanut butter may actually help to relieve constipation in both children and adults as long as it contains adequate fiber.
Choosing a natural peanut butter with 3 grams of fiber per serving may prevent constipation. Fiber helps to thicken stools and promote bowel movements in both children and adults.
In addition to fiber, make sure your toddler drinks water and other fluids throughout the day to help keep stools soft and easy to pass. (1)
Thick gobs of peanut butter can get stuck in a young child’s throat and become a choking hazard, so avoid serving spoonfuls of peanut butter.
Also avoid serving whole peanuts and chunky peanut butter to children under 4 years old. The pieces can become lodged in their airway and cause them to choke.
How to serve peanut butter to toddlers safely
Here are tips for feeding peanut butter to your toddler:
Thin out the peanut butter by mixing 1-2 teaspoons of smooth peanut butter with 2-3 teaspoons of warm water.
Mix thinned peanut butter into foods like yogurt or oatmeal.
Or spread a thin layer of peanut butter on toast or other food you are serving. (2)
What kind of peanut butter is best for toddlers and kids?
When choosing peanut butter for your toddler, look for smooth natural peanut butters. For children older than 4 years old, you may opt for crunchy versions.
For toddlers and kids, choose peanut butter that:
Contains only peanuts or peanuts and oil in the ingredients.
Contains 3 grams of fiber per serving.
Has no added sugars (especially for children under the age of 2).
Per guideline recommendations, children under 2 do not need added sugars. Additionally, regularly serving foods with added sugars may increase your child’s preference for sweeter foods, and may make them less flexible to try the food without sugar. (3)
For kids over 2 years old, the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10% of total daily calories up to 25 grams per day. (4)
Best peanut butter brands for kids and toddlers
The list of some name brands below are good options for natural peanut butter. Keep in mind that store brands of natural peanut butter (like Great Value below) offer equivalent benefits and are often more affordable.
Crazy Richard’s All Natural Peanut Butter
Thrive Market Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Spread the Love Naked Organic Peanut Butter
Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
MaraNatha Organic Peanut Butter
Jif No-Sugar-Added Creamy Peanut Butter
Great Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Trader Joe’s Organic Peanut Butter
365 Whole Foods Organic Peanut Butter
5 easy ways to serve peanut butter to toddlers and kids
Peanut butter is a great food to serve toddlers as part of a balanced meal or snack. Try serving peanut butter to your child in the following ways:
1. Mix peanut butter into yogurt or oatmeal
Spoon peanut butter into Greek yogurt or oatmeal and serve with fruit (banana, strawberries, blueberries) on top or on the side.
Top a whole grain English muffin or toast with a thin layer of peanut butter and serve with some fruit (raspberries, goldenberries, blueberries) and vegetables (carrots, celery, cabbage).
Serving note: For children 4 years or older, you can serve gobs of peanut butter with fruits and veggies. For children under 4 years old, make sure fruits and veggies are cut up into small pieces and spread peanut butter in a thin layer to prevent choking. (5)
These Mexican-inspired sweet treats are made with peanut butter (or other nut butter) and banana sandwiched between crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated pitas. They make a tasty breakfast or snack for your toddler!
Yes, powdered peanut butter or peanut flour can be given to toddlers and kids. Mix the powdered peanut butter with water, milk or into other foods like oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies.
The brands below are a few examples of powdered peanut butter without added sugar:
PB2 Pure Peanut Powder
PB&Me Powdered Peanut Butter
Nutricost Organic Peanut Butter Powder
Keep in mind that store brand peanut butter powder may be available at more affordable prices.
Peanut butter alternatives for kids and toddlers
If you are looking for an alternative to peanut butter for your child, you may want to try the following products:
Sunflower butter
Soy butter
Almond butter*
Cashew butter*
*If your child is allergic to peanuts, they may also have an allergy to tree nuts. Ask your pediatrician if your child should be tested for a tree nut allergy before trying these alternatives.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Kim Whitbeck is a Registered Dietitian for the U.S. Army. She has a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Liberty University and a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics from University of Delaware. Before joining the Army, she worked at WIC as a nutrition professional, as a diet tech at a nursing facility, and worked as a personal trainer during her time in undergrad. She aspires to work in nutrition policy and research related to community nutrition.
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Inside: Childhood nutrition and feeding experts explain everything parents and caregivers need to know about serving peanut butter to children. Learn the best peanut butter for toddlers and kids, how to serve it safely, top brands and more.
Searching for the best peanut butter for toddlers and kids? With so many kind of peanut butters on the market these days, it can be confusing to find the right one for children.
In this article, we explain what to look for when choosing a peanut butter to serve your child. We discuss the benefits of peanut butter, how to serve it safely to prevent choking, what kind is best for toddlers and ways to serve it so children actually want to try it.
Contents:
The benefits of peanut butter
When kids have too much peanut butter
Prevent choking on peanut butter
How to serve peanut butter safely
The best peanut butter for toddlers and kids
Top peanut butter brands
5 easy ways to serve peanut butter to kids
Powdered peanut butter
Peanut butter alternatives
Is peanut butter good for kids and toddlers?
Introducing peanut butter offers kids and toddlers many benefits, including reduced allergen risk. Peanut butter is also a good source of protein, calories and heart-healthy fats for kids.
The benefits of peanut butter for kids
Please note: If your child has a peanut allergy, do not serve them peanut butter as it can cause a life-threatening reaction.
Is too much peanut butter bad for kids?
Peanut butter offers many health benefits for children, but like many foods, it should be consumed in moderation.
When a child fills up on one food, they miss nutrients and minerals from other foods. A varied diet ensures a child gets all the nutrients and minerals they need.
Is peanut butter constipating for toddlers?
One food cannot directly cause constipation in toddlers. Peanut butter may actually help to relieve constipation in both children and adults as long as it contains adequate fiber.
Choosing a natural peanut butter with 3 grams of fiber per serving may prevent constipation. Fiber helps to thicken stools and promote bowel movements in both children and adults.
In addition to fiber, make sure your toddler drinks water and other fluids throughout the day to help keep stools soft and easy to pass. (1)
Is peanut butter a choking hazard for toddlers?
Peanut butter is a choking hazard for children under 4 years old.
Thick gobs of peanut butter can get stuck in a young child’s throat and become a choking hazard, so avoid serving spoonfuls of peanut butter.
Also avoid serving whole peanuts and chunky peanut butter to children under 4 years old. The pieces can become lodged in their airway and cause them to choke.
How to serve peanut butter to toddlers safely
Here are tips for feeding peanut butter to your toddler:
What kind of peanut butter is best for toddlers and kids?
When choosing peanut butter for your toddler, look for smooth natural peanut butters. For children older than 4 years old, you may opt for crunchy versions.
For toddlers and kids, choose peanut butter that:
Per guideline recommendations, children under 2 do not need added sugars. Additionally, regularly serving foods with added sugars may increase your child’s preference for sweeter foods, and may make them less flexible to try the food without sugar. (3)
For kids over 2 years old, the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10% of total daily calories up to 25 grams per day. (4)
Best peanut butter brands for kids and toddlers
The list of some name brands below are good options for natural peanut butter. Keep in mind that store brands of natural peanut butter (like Great Value below) offer equivalent benefits and are often more affordable.
5 easy ways to serve peanut butter to toddlers and kids
Peanut butter is a great food to serve toddlers as part of a balanced meal or snack. Try serving peanut butter to your child in the following ways:
1. Mix peanut butter into yogurt or oatmeal
Spoon peanut butter into Greek yogurt or oatmeal and serve with fruit (banana, strawberries, blueberries) on top or on the side.
Related: The Benefits of Fruit for Kids + What’s in Season
2. Serve peanut butter toast
Top a whole grain English muffin or toast with a thin layer of peanut butter and serve with some fruit (raspberries, goldenberries, blueberries) and vegetables (carrots, celery, cabbage).
Or try this Peanut Butter Toast Recipe with Chaat Masala.
3. Blend peanut butter into your toddler’s smoothies
Add peanut butter into a smoothie with your favorite milk, yogurt and fruits to add healthy fats and protein to keep your toddler full between meals.
4. Serve peanut butter as a dip
Try the following pairings for a kid-approved snack:
Serving note: For children 4 years or older, you can serve gobs of peanut butter with fruits and veggies. For children under 4 years old, make sure fruits and veggies are cut up into small pieces and spread peanut butter in a thin layer to prevent choking. (5)
Related: 4 Easy & Filling Dips for Kids
5. Make sweets made with peanut butter
Try preparing these Easy Banana Buñuelos with your child.
These Mexican-inspired sweet treats are made with peanut butter (or other nut butter) and banana sandwiched between crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated pitas. They make a tasty breakfast or snack for your toddler!
Related: A Complete Guide to Snacks for Toddlers
Can kids and toddlers eat powdered peanut butter?
Yes, powdered peanut butter or peanut flour can be given to toddlers and kids. Mix the powdered peanut butter with water, milk or into other foods like oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies.
The brands below are a few examples of powdered peanut butter without added sugar:
Keep in mind that store brand peanut butter powder may be available at more affordable prices.
Peanut butter alternatives for kids and toddlers
If you are looking for an alternative to peanut butter for your child, you may want to try the following products:
*If your child is allergic to peanuts, they may also have an allergy to tree nuts. Ask your pediatrician if your child should be tested for a tree nut allergy before trying these alternatives.
References