National Peanut Butter Day!

January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day! Peanut butter has long been looked upon negatively as a high-fat, high calorie option -- but it's actually a healthy fat and good source of protein when eaten in moderation. So in celebration of the wonderful invention that is peanut butter, I have compiled the following tidbits of information:

• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• By law, any product labeled "peanut butter" in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts
• Two peanut farmers have been elected president of the USA - Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter
• Astronaut Allen B. Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon
• Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth
• The average American consumes more than six pounds of peanuts and peanut butter products each year
• Peanut butter is consumed in 90 percent of USA households
• Women and children prefer creamy, while most men opt for chunky
• People living on the East Coast prefer creamy peanut butter, while those on the West Coast prefer the crunchy style
• Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter
• Peanuts have more protein, niacin, folate and phytosterols than any nut
• Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free

Happy National Peanut Butter Day!