Calories in Peanut Butter: Full Nutrition Breakdown

Peanut butter is one of the most widely consumed nut butters in the world, made by grinding roasted peanuts into a thick, creamy or chunky paste. One tablespoon of smooth peanut butter (with salt) provides approximately 94 calories, 3.6 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fat, with a nutritional profile that includes notable amounts of niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and vitamin E. Its combination of affordability, long shelf life, rich flavor, and satisfying protein and fat content has made peanut butter a dietary staple in households around the world.

Calories by serving size:

Peanut butter is rich in monounsaturated fat (about 50 percent of its total fat) and also provides significant polyunsaturated fat, with a fat profile comparable to olive oil. A two-tablespoon serving delivers about 7 grams of protein, making it one of the most protein-rich spreads available. Peanut butter is also a notable source of niacin (vitamin B3), with two tablespoons providing about 28 percent of the daily value, and contains resveratrol and p-coumaric acid, polyphenol antioxidants associated with cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is peanut butter good for building muscle?

Peanut butter is a useful food for supporting muscle growth because it provides a good combination of protein, calories, and healthy fats that are all necessary for muscle building. A two-tablespoon serving provides 7.1 grams of protein and 188 calories, making it an efficient way to add both protein and caloric surplus to a diet — both of which are required for muscle hypertrophy. While peanut butter protein is not as complete as animal proteins (it is relatively low in the essential amino acid methionine), pairing it with whole-grain bread or oatmeal creates a complementary amino acid profile. Many bodybuilders and strength athletes use peanut butter as a convenient, shelf-stable way to increase overall calorie intake when aiming for a caloric surplus.

What is the difference between natural and regular peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter typically contains only peanuts and possibly salt, while conventional (regular) peanut butter usually includes added hydrogenated vegetable oils, sugar, and salt. The hydrogenated oils in regular peanut butter prevent the natural oil separation that occurs when only ground peanuts are used, creating a more uniform, non-separating texture. Nutritionally, the differences are modest — regular peanut butter has about 1 to 2 grams of added sugar per serving and may contain small amounts of trans fat from the hydrogenated oils. Natural peanut butter preserves the full beneficial fat profile of peanuts without added trans fats, though it requires stirring and refrigeration after opening to maintain consistency.

How does powdered peanut butter compare to regular peanut butter?

Powdered peanut butter (such as PB2 or PBfit) is made by pressing out most of the fat from roasted peanuts and grinding the remaining material into a powder. This dramatically reduces the calorie content — two tablespoons of powdered peanut butter reconstituted with water contain about 60 calories and 1.5 grams of fat, compared to 188 calories and 16 grams of fat in regular peanut butter. The protein content remains relatively comparable (about 5 to 6 grams per serving for powdered vs 7 grams for regular). The trade-off is that powdered peanut butter lacks the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that are one of regular peanut butter's greatest nutritional assets. Powdered peanut butter is best for those specifically seeking to reduce calorie and fat intake while still getting peanut flavor, such as in smoothies or sauces.

Can people with diabetes eat peanut butter?

Peanut butter can be a good food choice for people with diabetes when consumed in appropriate portions. It has a very low glycemic index due to its high fat and protein content and minimal sugar, meaning it causes little to no spike in blood sugar after eating. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who consumed peanut butter five or more times per week had a 21 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who rarely ate it. Spreading peanut butter on higher-glycemic foods like bread or crackers can blunt the blood sugar response to those foods. People with diabetes should choose natural peanut butter without added sugar to maximize these benefits.

How much peanut butter is too much per day?

While there is no strict upper limit for peanut butter consumption, most nutrition guidelines suggest that 1 to 2 tablespoons (94 to 188 calories) per day is a reasonable portion for most adults as part of a balanced diet. Eating significantly more than this amount can make it difficult to maintain a calorie balance, as peanut butter is calorically dense — a half-cup contains 752 calories, nearly a third of many people's daily calorie needs. People who are very active, have high calorie requirements, or are intentionally eating in a caloric surplus for muscle building may consume more without issue. The main concern with excessive intake is overall calorie balance rather than any toxic effect, though very large amounts would also provide high levels of omega-6 fatty acids relative to omega-3s, which some researchers believe may promote inflammation when the ratio is imbalanced.