Dear Editor,
Thank you to Grace Dickinson for her article “Peanut butter balls are tasty and healthy” (March 30). She did a fantastic job of emphasizing the importance of “good” fats that foods like peanuts and peanut butter contain. The recipe she created was a great combination of nutritious produce and peanut butter. If she’s willing to share the recipe, we would love to post it on our blog at www.nationalpeanutboard.org. Ms. Dickinson also used well-regarded resources for her statements about health and nutrition like the journal Obesity and the National Peanut Board.
There was one statement in the article that I would like to elaborate on: “If you have an allergy to peanuts, replace the peanut butter with another nut butter, such as almond butter.” Many allergists recognize that if someone is allergic to peanuts then there is a significant chance that he or she could also be allergic to other nuts, such as almonds, cashews or pecans. Additionally, only about 1 percent of the population has a peanut allergy (dairy and egg allergies are the most common food allergies). Those who have been diagnosed with the allergy by an allergist have received information about nut alternatives.
If Ms. Dickinson or any other of the great [The Temple News] reporters would like to do another story about peanuts in the future – from their popularity and interesting new products to recipes and nutrition – we are glad to serve as a resource. We have a scientific advisory council made up of some of the world’s foremost food allergy researchers and we have a registered dietitian on staff.
Thanks again,
Lauren Highfill
Communications Project Leader
National Peanut Board
I also thought it was good to explain the importance of “good fats”. So many people these days put their health at risk by not eating a sensible and balanced diet. It can be dangerous to not get enough calories and carbs just like it isn’t good to have to many.