Are Americans Weaned on Peanut Butter?
suziecue20
Posts: 567 Member
Peanut butter is mentioned in lots of threads and I am wondering why people in US especially love it so much.
I tried it once years ago and it made me gag. I didn't like the taste or the texture and haven't touched it since.
I tried it once years ago and it made me gag. I didn't like the taste or the texture and haven't touched it since.
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I wonder this, too! I can't stand the smell, If I'm in the same room as peanut butter it makes me feel sick.0
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Yup, it's more American than apple pie. It's also pretty expensive and easy to pack in a lunch with no refrigeration, so I took it to school a lot as a kid.0
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I know I grew to love it when I lived in the states, Australia is only now really getting on the peanut butter train.0
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never even tasted it.....0
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I like natural extra crunch almond butter now but yes growing up it's a high protein, cheap, easy lunch. They push it on the WIC program, it's a free food for lower income based program, you get cereals, milk, peanut butter, tuna. It's also something they throw into food boxes for elderly and poor. Seems to be the go to item to add to things like that.0
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I had it once when I was younger and hated it.
Had it again later and it's pretty good.0 -
It is a staple in many households. We have students with some severe peanut/tree nut allergies in my school and sent home a note asking parents to not bring in PB and there was a huge backlash. There are some kids who eat PB daily for lunch and will not eat anything else.0
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Yes, I grew up on it. Cheap, filling, nutritious, doesn't need refrigeration, versatile. Yum. I have some almost daily. I like the extra crunchy kind.
ETA: As to *why* we love it so much, it probably has a lot to do with our country's agricultural history, the Civil War, reconstruction South, and this guy: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver0 -
It's gross to me too. Almond butter on the other hand.. Yum!.0
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I'm in Australia and I grew up on PB. On crackers, bread, celery... it's cheap and tasty. I cheerfully feed it to my twin toddlers, and sometimes they just eat a glob of it off a spoon.0
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My theory is that Americans had peanut butter because they didn't have Marmite/Bovril!0
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MyNameIsNotBob wrote: »Yes, I grew up on it. Cheap, filling, nutritious, doesn't need refrigeration, versatile. Yum. I have some almost daily. I like the extra crunchy kind.
ETA: As to *why* we love it so much, it probably has a lot to do with our country's agricultural history, the Civil War, reconstruction South, and this guy: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver
Thanks for that link - very informative - I've learnt something new today
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I used to love it ... but then in my early 20s I discovered that it (and peanuts and peas) were the cause of so much bloating and agonising abdominal cramps and general feelings of nausea. I'd eat a bowl of peanuts or a peanut butter and jam sandwich or something, and a short time later I'd be lying on the ground with my arms stretched above my head trying to ease the intense bloating and pain.
Finally twigged onto what was causing it, and have hardly touched anything peanuts or pea related since.
However, I did have peanuts once about 2 years ago. I was only going to have a couple because just a couple don't cause much of an issue, and I ended up eating about a cup of them. Oh the agony!! I was reminded very clearly why I avoid them.0 -
CurlyCockney wrote: »My theory is that Americans had peanut butter because they didn't have Marmite/Bovril!
I could get behind this theory.0 -
CurlyCockney wrote: »My theory is that Americans had peanut butter because they didn't have Marmite/Bovril!
Ah but you either love or hate marmite in UK - it's not as big as peanut butter in US.
I would say peanut butter sandwiches are to US children what cheddar cheese sandwiches are to UK kids.
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suziecue20 wrote: »CurlyCockney wrote: »My theory is that Americans had peanut butter because they didn't have Marmite/Bovril!
Ah but you either love or hate marmite in UK - it's not as big as peanut butter in US.
I would say peanut butter sandwiches are to US children what cheddar cheese sandwiches are to UK kids.
I'm Canadian, and while I remember lots of kids having pb sandwiches at my school (back when that was allowed) I also recall an equal amount having Cheez Whiz sandwiches. Is that perhaps a compromise between our US Neighbors (PB sandwiches) and our British Commonwealth status (cheddar sandwiches)?0 -
Is Cheez Whiz like Dairylea Triangles? I hated those, because I always managed to eat a bit of tin foil (I was only a kid!) It's like a delicate surgical operation here now when I eat Laughing Cow because it triggers those memories.0
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"Funny" thing ... I'm a long distance cyclist, and I have done cycling events in various parts of the world where food is provided. Quite commonly on these events, in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe we're served things like pasta, mashed potatoes topped with cheese, chicken fried rice, perogies, eggs and chips, thick soups, and things like that. Not peanut butter sandwiches. Or if that is an option, it is served up as bread with a number of possible toppings including peanut butter. (Here in Australia, Vegemite will be among the 'number of possible toppings'.
)
And yet I did one event in the US where the ONLY things they had on offer at one of the rest stops was pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and a small quantity of apple slices. I asked if I could make my own sandwich with just the bread and jam ... but they told me two things: 1) They had used up all the bread, peanut butter and jam making those sandwiches just for us; and 2) All cyclists like peanut butter.
"Not when they have an intolerance that results in agonising bloating and digestive issues", I said. That possibility had never occurred to them at all. And the possibility that peanut butter would be the only thing on offer had never occurred to me.
To their dismay, I ended eating almost all their apple slices (there weren't many) ... and to my dismay, I had to go find something to eat elsewhere at a time of day when practically nothing was open.0 -
I'd take vegemite over peanut butter any day. I don't mind it. I keep it in the pantry for making protein balls and it's okay on fresh bread. But I never look at it and want to eat it with a spoon. I also don't understand why it's always mixed with chocolate. I remember FINALLY eating Reese's pieces a few years ago (after constantly hearing about them from American media). I was underwhelmed.
You can all throw rocks at me now.0 -
CurlyCockney wrote: »Is Cheez Whiz like Dairylea Triangles? I hated those, because I always managed to eat a bit of tin foil (I was only a kid!) It's like a delicate surgical operation here now when I eat Laughing Cow because it triggers those memories.
No, it's a pasteurized cheese spread product in a jar. Made by Kraft. It's, oddly enough, not full of artificial junk. It's made from real cheeses, milk, and some spices (i think mustard powder?). I'm sure the light version is a chemistry lab, but that's the way of it.0 -
That actually sounds nice. I'll have to look and see if we have it here, thanks! Kraft make Dairylea too, so it might be similar.0
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CurlyCockney wrote: »That actually sounds nice. I'll have to look and see if we have it here, thanks! Kraft make Dairylea too, so it might be similar.
I find it a little salty, if it's put on too thick, but I guess that's something it shares with Vegemite / Marmite / Bovril from what I hear. I've never tried those products because I can't bring myself to buy a whole jar of something I'm pretty sure I won't like.0 -
TheopolisAmbroiseIII wrote: »CurlyCockney wrote: »That actually sounds nice. I'll have to look and see if we have it here, thanks! Kraft make Dairylea too, so it might be similar.
I find it a little salty, if it's put on too thick, but I guess that's something it shares with Vegemite / Marmite / Bovril from what I hear. I've never tried those products because I can't bring myself to buy a whole jar of something I'm pretty sure I won't like.
Smart. Because they taste like the feeling you get when you've been talking about someone behind their back and then you turn around and they are standing right there.0 -
I am willing to bet peanut butter (along with thousands of other processed foods) tastes different in various countries. Your peanut butter is not our peanut butter. I am glad I don't have digestive issues that prevent me from eating tasty foods. 0
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"Funny" thing ... I'm a long distance cyclist, and I have done cycling events in various parts of the world where food is provided. Quite commonly on these events, in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe we're served things like pasta, mashed potatoes topped with cheese, chicken fried rice, perogies, eggs and chips, thick soups, and things like that. Not peanut butter sandwiches. Or if that is an option, it is served up as bread with a number of possible toppings including peanut butter. (Here in Australia, Vegemite will be among the 'number of possible toppings'. )
And yet I did one event in the US where the ONLY things they had on offer at one of the rest stops was pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and a small quantity of apple slices. I asked if I could make my own sandwich with just the bread and jam ... but they told me two things: 1) They had used up all the bread, peanut butter and jam making those sandwiches just for us; and 2) All cyclists like peanut butter.
"Not when they have an intolerance that results in agonising bloating and digestive issues", I said. That possibility had never occurred to them at all. And the possibility that peanut butter would be the only thing on offer had never occurred to me.
To their dismay, I ended eating almost all their apple slices (there weren't many) ... and to my dismay, I had to go find something to eat elsewhere at a time of day when practically nothing was open.
Peanut allergy is quite prevalent among UK children and can be very serious - even life threatening.0 -
"Funny" thing ... I'm a long distance cyclist, and I have done cycling events in various parts of the world where food is provided. Quite commonly on these events, in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe we're served things like pasta, mashed potatoes topped with cheese, chicken fried rice, perogies, eggs and chips, thick soups, and things like that. Not peanut butter sandwiches. Or if that is an option, it is served up as bread with a number of possible toppings including peanut butter. (Here in Australia, Vegemite will be among the 'number of possible toppings'. )
And yet I did one event in the US where the ONLY things they had on offer at one of the rest stops was pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and a small quantity of apple slices. I asked if I could make my own sandwich with just the bread and jam ... but they told me two things: 1) They had used up all the bread, peanut butter and jam making those sandwiches just for us; and 2) All cyclists like peanut butter.
"Not when they have an intolerance that results in agonising bloating and digestive issues", I said. That possibility had never occurred to them at all. And the possibility that peanut butter would be the only thing on offer had never occurred to me.
To their dismay, I ended eating almost all their apple slices (there weren't many) ... and to my dismay, I had to go find something to eat elsewhere at a time of day when practically nothing was open.
What I find even more shocking than them not realising not everyone can tolerate peanuts, is the thought that everyone likes peanut butter and jam. I doubt it is something anyone non-American thinks it is reasonable to combine these things.
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"Funny" thing ... I'm a long distance cyclist, and I have done cycling events in various parts of the world where food is provided. Quite commonly on these events, in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe we're served things like pasta, mashed potatoes topped with cheese, chicken fried rice, perogies, eggs and chips, thick soups, and things like that. Not peanut butter sandwiches. Or if that is an option, it is served up as bread with a number of possible toppings including peanut butter. (Here in Australia, Vegemite will be among the 'number of possible toppings'. )
And yet I did one event in the US where the ONLY things they had on offer at one of the rest stops was pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and a small quantity of apple slices. I asked if I could make my own sandwich with just the bread and jam ... but they told me two things: 1) They had used up all the bread, peanut butter and jam making those sandwiches just for us; and 2) All cyclists like peanut butter.
"Not when they have an intolerance that results in agonising bloating and digestive issues", I said. That possibility had never occurred to them at all. And the possibility that peanut butter would be the only thing on offer had never occurred to me.
To their dismay, I ended eating almost all their apple slices (there weren't many) ... and to my dismay, I had to go find something to eat elsewhere at a time of day when practically nothing was open.
I swear it seems to be a thing in America to assume that everyone loves peanut butter/nuts in general.
I was there on holiday with my family a few years ago. We went to a restaurant and they bought this tray over with a plate of each desert for us to choose from. My dad went for a slice of chocolate cake. What they came back with was this chocolate cake thing covered in nuts. He said that wasn't what he ordered, and they said the desert on the tray was the last one they had, and that this was still chocolate cake, just with nuts. They acted as if the nuts could only be an improvement, and couldn't understand when he said he didn't like nuts and would rather not have a desert. Why even bother to go to the effort of bringing out a food tray with a plate of each desert if you're not going to serve that desert??0 -
Growing up, peanut butter and jelly was kind of an American staple for children for lunch. Probably every American house had some on their shelves. This was before all the nut allergies apparently. At school, to go along with hot lunch, you could have your choice of bread and butter, or bread and peanut butter.
Strangely enough, I never cared much for peanut butter or peanuts, until I started on MFP. Now I really like it, and don't really understand why, maybe because my body is craving more protein. Never have gotten the urge to eat it with a spoon though......................but, give me nutella and a spoon any day.0 -
DemoraFairy wrote: »"Funny" thing ... I'm a long distance cyclist, and I have done cycling events in various parts of the world where food is provided. Quite commonly on these events, in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe we're served things like pasta, mashed potatoes topped with cheese, chicken fried rice, perogies, eggs and chips, thick soups, and things like that. Not peanut butter sandwiches. Or if that is an option, it is served up as bread with a number of possible toppings including peanut butter. (Here in Australia, Vegemite will be among the 'number of possible toppings'. )
And yet I did one event in the US where the ONLY things they had on offer at one of the rest stops was pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and a small quantity of apple slices. I asked if I could make my own sandwich with just the bread and jam ... but they told me two things: 1) They had used up all the bread, peanut butter and jam making those sandwiches just for us; and 2) All cyclists like peanut butter.
"Not when they have an intolerance that results in agonising bloating and digestive issues", I said. That possibility had never occurred to them at all. And the possibility that peanut butter would be the only thing on offer had never occurred to me.
To their dismay, I ended eating almost all their apple slices (there weren't many) ... and to my dismay, I had to go find something to eat elsewhere at a time of day when practically nothing was open.
I swear it seems to be a thing in America to assume that everyone loves peanut butter/nuts in general.
I was there on holiday with my family a few years ago. We went to a restaurant and they bought this tray over with a plate of each desert for us to choose from. My dad went for a slice of chocolate cake. What they came back with was this chocolate cake thing covered in nuts. He said that wasn't what he ordered, and they said the desert on the tray was the last one they had, and that this was still chocolate cake, just with nuts. They acted as if the nuts could only be an improvement, and couldn't understand when he said he didn't like nuts and would rather not have a desert. Why even bother to go to the effort of bringing out a food tray with a plate of each desert if you're not going to serve that desert??
I've had them do that with ice cream. You order a sundae, and next thing you know, it's being topped with peanuts ... like nuts could only be an improvement.
I spent 3 months travelling around Europe a couple years ago, and ate a lot of the massive ice cream sundaes and things over there (Germans know how to make ice cream sundaes ... that's partly why I'm here now) ... but not a peanut in sight.
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snowflake930 wrote: »... but, give me nutella and a spoon any day.
Nutella, I like. I have a skiff of it on toast most Saturday mornings.
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