My 2 year old daughter is going through a phase in which she wants to eat peanut butter every single day. Not a PB sandwich, but just plain PB on a spoon. It's been about 3 weeks now that she has been asking for the PB every single morning. Most days I try to brush it off and give her something else, but many times she just begs and begs and cries so much that I just break down and give her some. I take a teaspoon and put some on the spoon and give it to her. Not a HEAPING spoonfull, I'd say about half a tsp.

I know PB is high in fat and sugar, so my question is-is this dangerous? Besides from the calorie/fat perspective, is there any danger in eating too much PB?

I'm hoping it's just a phase and she will get over it!

It could be worse. My daughter went through something similar at that age. She ate NOTHING but yogurt.

At least it's not potato chips!

If you are concerned get the all natural peanut butter instead of the processed. OR, better yet, learn how to make your own and make it a project that you two can do together.

Peanuts, oil, and a little salt in a blender (I think I used a blender to make PB. I can't remember it's been so long since all of my children have gone through this stage.)

Good idea, I will pick up some of that all-natural PB! And in the meantime, we certainly can try to make our own, that sounds like a LOT of fun! I got this PB once from the store, it was White Chocolate flavored and it was soooo good, I wonder if we could make that?! I'd imagine we'd just put white chocolate chips into the mix? Or if there's a white chocolate ice cream topping, that might work. Of course, with that we'd be adding some unnecessary sugar, so we'd have to limit it but it's a great idea, THANKS! I can't believe I never thought of making my own PB! Duh!

A spoonful of peanut butter is not a problem. If she eats a lot, buy some natural unsalted PB, that's a lot less addictive than the stuff with lots of sugar and salt.

Young children need quite a lot of fat in their diet to be healthy. It's possible that if most of the food in the house is low fat, then she really does need something like PB to balance her diet.

Good idea, I will pick up some of that all-natural PB!! And in the meantime, we certainly can try to make our own, that sounds like a LOT of fun!! I got this PB once from the store, it was White Chocolate flavored and it was soooo good, I wonder if we could make that??!! I'd imagine we'd just put white chocolate chips into the mix? Or if there's a white chocolate ice cream topping, that might work. Of course, with that we'd be adding some unneccesary sugar, so we'd have to limit it but it's a great idea, THANKS!! I can't believe I never thought of making my own PB!! Duh!!


I don't think adding sugar or sugar products to peanut butter is a good idea if you are concerned about the sugar content in "real" peanut butter.

Health food stores in my area carry kits to make peanut butter at home.

I don't think adding sugar or sugar products to peanut butter is a good idea if you are concerned about the sugar content in "real" peanut butter.

Correct, which is why I said:
Of course, with that we'd be adding some unnecessary sugar, so we'd have to limit it

I figure, if I'm going to make my own PB, then I ought to make it special! IMO it's not worth making it otherwise, it's not like PB is expensive or anything... making it at home would be opportune for a "treat"! Might as well experiment and add special stuff, and of course keep in mind the added ingredients for nutrition values.