(HealthScoutNews) -- Good news about a convenient, tasty kid food: peanut butter. It can help protect against two serious health threats -- heart disease and obesity -- reports Clarian Health Partners, an affiliate of Indiana University.

Recent studies show that diets rich in peanuts and peanut butter appear to protect against heart disease by lowering levels of bad LDL cholesterol and controlling body weight, benefits that older children and teens need more than ever. Just don't let the kids overdo it.

And remember to follow this important caveat: The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents wait until their children are at least 2 years old before introducing them to peanut butter. Hold off until age 3 if either parent has any type of allergy.

Start with just a little bit, spread thin on a cracker. And wait until age 4 before serving chunky peanut butter, to guard against choking.

Discourage eating peanut butter right from the spoon. It can cause choking in both children and adults.

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