8 – On any given day, 9% of Americans eat peanut butter

In the US, peanuts and peanut butter account for around 67% of nut consumption, followed by almonds at 13%, other tree nuts at 12%, pecans at 4% and walnuts and pistachios at 2% apiece.

Analysis of the NHANES UD dietary intake data for 2011/12 presented by Alanna Moshfegh, research leader in the food surveys research group at USDA’s agricultural research service, revealed that:

• 3% of Americans eat peanuts as a standalone food on any given day (eg. data excludes foods containing peanuts such as Snickers bars).
• 9% of Americans eat peanut butter on any given day.
• Broken down by age, 15% of 2-5 year olds eat peanut butter on any given day, compared with 11% of 6-11 year olds, 8% of 12-19 years olds, 9% of 20-59 year olds and 12% of those aged 60+.

However, while US peanut consumption continues to rise, these percentages have stayed fairly stable over the years, suggesting that people that do eat peanut products are just eating more of them, she said.

In Europe, peanuts and peanut butter account for 33% of nut consumption, followed by walnuts at 23%, other tree nuts at 19%, almonds at 15% and hazelnuts at 10%.

Picture: National Peanut Board