'Beanut Butter' is the dietitian-approved sandwich combo for gut health

It’s fair to say the internet loves to go all in on weird and wonderful food combinations; Dua Lipa’s jalapeño and pickle juice-infused Diet Coke and vanilla ice cream with olive oil and sea salt are two.

Earlier this summer, social media was obsessed with watermelon ice cream, as well as ‘retinol salad’ and a meal nicknamed ‘boy kibble’, which devotees promised would help you to lose weight.

Now, it seems everyone is eating a dietitian-approved sandwich specifically designed to lean into the fibremaxxing trend.

Introducing TikTok’s latest obsession: Beanut Butter. Here’s everything you need to know about the trend, including potential health benefits and exactly what experts really think.

What is Beanut Butter?

Described as the ‘ultimate fibre hack’ by health and fitness TikToker Chris Sanford (@itschrissanford.fit), beanut butter is essentially peanut butter blended with a tin of beans.

Would you try the viral 'beanut butter' trend? (Getty Stock Image)

The idea is that not only does the toast topping taste good, but it also boosts your morning fibre intake exponentially.

Gabrielle Palmeri, a registered gut health dietitian, said in a now-viral Instagram video that all you need to make the breakfast is a can of Great Northern beans and a type of peanut butter—even a powdered, low-calorie version.

However, if you want to make a high-protein version, you can add a scoop of vanilla protein powder.

“The entire recipe is giving you 30 grams of fibre and 60 grams of protein for only 595 calories.

“Per two-tablespoon serving size, this would be 75 calories, 8 grams of protein and four grams of fibre.”

Palmeri added that if you wanted to make your new go-to even more indulgent, you should add hazelnuts and swap the vanilla protein powder out for a chocolate version.

Health benefits of adding beans to your breakfast

As beans—beloved by people who reside in Blue Zones—are high in fibre, they help to support a healthy gut and can aid weight management due to increased satiety.

High-fibre foods, like beans, are approved by gut experts (Getty Stock Image)

“Because they help stabilise blood sugar they can promote a calmer, more sustained energy state, rather than the highs and crashes that come with more refined meals,” Farzanah Nasser, a functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist, explained to British Vogue.

She continued, explaining that by eating beans at breakfast, you may find that your mood stabilises faster than usual.

This is because beans feed the ‘beneficial gut microbes, which produce compounds that support mood via a system known as the gut-brain axis’.

This two-way system links the central nervous system with the gut, with food influencing mood and cognitive function, as per the publication.

Beans are also a surprising source of antioxidants, with Christian Bararacco, co-author of Mix It Up: The Culinary Medicine Cookbook for Mixing Things up in the Kitchen, hailing them as ‘a versatile, affordable, and accessible food that provides so many nutrients we need on a daily basis’.

Add protein powder to your breakfast go-to for a rich, protein spread (Getty Stock Image)

These nutrients include iron, potassium, magnesium, and folate, with the latter being critical for cell growth and DNA formation, she explained to Good Housekeeping.

Health benefits of peanut butter

Despite its high fat content, peanut butter is a nutrient-dense food that provides a solid source of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals, including fibre, as detailed by BBC Good Food.

If your peanut butter of choice is made with peanuts with their skins intact, expect each tablespoon to contain about 1.3g of fibre.

The beloved spread is also a great source of biologically atcive components, including coenzyme Q10, which may support organs like the brain and lungs, as well as protecting the heart from a lack of oxygen.

However, be warned: peanuts are a major allergen.

This means people with nut sensitivities should steer clear, with symptoms including mild skin reactions, tingling in the mouth, stomach pains, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.