Most Southerners are proud individuals.

We are proud of our peaches, proud of our watermelons and we should be proud of our peanuts.

Whoever named Georgia the Peach State was too embarrassed by our real cash crop. After all, who wants to be called the Goober State?

I do.

According to the Georgia Farm Bureau, the state produces 45 percent of all peanuts in the United States, which is about 1.3 billion pounds per year.

Since peanuts are grown in 79 counties throughout Georgia, it makes sense to give peanut growers a little more credit.

In addition to being large contributors to agriculture revenue, peanuts have a lot of nutritional value.

According to The Peanut Institute, peanuts have the most concentrated form of protein of any plant.

This is good news for vegetarians who look for good sources of protein not found in meat.

Also, researchers at The Pennsylvania State University found that eating peanuts lowered cholesterol.

The key factor is monounsaturated fats found in peanuts; the study showed they are helpful in lowering cholesterol.

Like all foods, however, peanuts should be eaten in moderation; the study showed a rise in triglyceride — an unhealthy fat — from the peanuts.

One great product of peanuts is peanut butter.

Creamy or crunchy, all-natural or factory-made, peanut butter is a unique American concoction that is a great comfort food.

A 12-ounce jar of peanut butter contains about 550 peanuts per jar and is spread on everything from popsicles to bananas.

It was invented in 1890 by a St. Louis doctor who wanted to increase protein intake in his patients.

Ever since, Georgia peanut farmers have been profiting, and that is a very good thing for the state economy.

So the next time you’re driving down Highway 316, pull over and buy some boiled peanuts for the ride into Atlanta — you’ll get a good dose of protein and help the state economy.

If you want to contribute more, write a letter to your congressman insisting that Georgia should be called the “Goober State” — we need to embrace our strengths.