By: Jada Linton, RDN, LD
There’s a common saying in school nutrition that a food is not nutritious if kids don’t eat it. Peanuts not only provide more plant-based protein than any other nut (7 grams per serving), they also may make other healthy foods, like whole-grains and vegetables, more appealing to kids.
The National Peanut Board recently partnered with HealthySchoolRecipes.com to develop nutritious and tasty options for school foodservice. Peanut Butter Granola Bars with dried fruit and oats are a perfect tasty snack and delivers 1 oz. meat/meat alternate and 1 oz. grain. African Peanut Stew is a creamy, satisfying meal that packs 2 oz. meat/meat alternate, 1/2 cup red/orange vegetable, 1/8 cup dark leafy green vegetable, and 1/8 cup of other vegetable.
School nutrition is very close to our hearts and students are the future. To help prepare our students to blossom into the next great leaders they have to be fueled for success. Peanuts contain more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals and are a good source of fiber and good fat--allowing for great concentration and satiety during the school day! In creating these recipes our goal was to make food options that are flavorful. Check out the new healthy school recipes!
Our School Recipes:
·Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana Smoothie
·Peanut Butter Vanilla Yogurt Dip
To learn more information of great ways to incorporate peanuts check out PeanutsinSchools.org and HealthySchoolRecipes.com.
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If you’re challenged with managing food allergies in your operation and need resources to serve peanut products while keeping the 2% of children with a peanut allergy safe, visit PeanutAllergyFacts.org.
