Peanut butter is a tasty and healthy staple that can be included in the keto diet—a low-carb, high-fat diet that promotes weight loss by changing the body's energy source from carbohydrates to fats. While peanut butter is high in calories, it is also high in fat and low in carbohydrates, making it a suitable food for the keto diet. However, it is important to choose natural, unsweetened peanut butter and be mindful of portion sizes, as some types of peanut butter contain added sugars and can be high in calories and carbs.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Carbohydrates | 5.5-7 grams of total carbs per 2-tablespoon serving |
Net carbs | 4-5.6 grams per 2-tablespoon serving |
Calories | 188 calories per 2-tablespoon serving |
Fat | 16 grams per 2-tablespoon serving |
Protein | 8 grams per 2-tablespoon serving |
What You'll Learn
Keto-friendly peanut butter has no added sugar
Peanut butter is a tasty and healthy staple that can be enjoyed as part of most eating plans. The ketogenic diet, or keto, is a low-carb, high-fat diet that recommends getting 60 to 80 percent of your daily calories from fat, 20 to 30 percent from protein, and the rest from carbs. This usually amounts to a maximum of 50 grams of carbs per day, with some strict keto followers sticking to just 20 grams.
Peanut butter is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, making it a good fit for the keto diet. However, it's important to choose keto-friendly peanut butter that has no added sugar. While peanuts naturally contain sugars, it's the added sugars that can increase the carb count and make it less suitable for a keto diet.
When shopping for keto-friendly peanut butter, look for products with minimal ingredients, ideally just peanuts and salt. These natural peanut butters don't contain added sugars, oils, or other unnecessary ingredients. Some recommended brands include Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter, Adam's Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter, and Santa Cruz Organics Creamy Light Roasted Peanut Butter.
It's also important to be mindful of portion sizes, as peanut butter is high in calories. A standard serving size is typically two tablespoons, which is smaller than you might expect. By choosing natural, unsweetened peanut butter and sticking to the recommended serving size, you can enjoy this delicious spread while staying within your keto diet guidelines.
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Natural peanut butter has fewer carbs
Natural peanut butter is a great option for those on a keto diet as it contains fewer carbs than sweetened varieties.
Peanut butter is a tasty and healthy staple that can be enjoyed in many ways, from a sandwich to smoothies or straight out of the jar. If you're following a ketogenic diet, you may be wondering if peanut butter can fit into your low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating plan. The keto diet involves drastically lowering your carb intake to around 50 grams per day or less, which helps your body enter a state called ketosis where it burns fat instead of carbs for energy.
So, can you eat peanut butter on a keto diet? The short answer is yes, but it's important to choose the right kind. Natural peanut butter, which contains only peanuts and maybe a little salt, has a lower carb content than sweetened or flavoured varieties. A serving size of two tablespoons of regular peanut butter contains around 7 grams of total carbs and 5-5.6 grams of net carbs (total carbs minus fibre). In comparison, natural peanut butter has around 4-5.5 grams of net carbs per serving.
When choosing peanut butter for a keto diet, it's best to go for organic or natural options with no added sugars. Ingredients like palm oil or other hydrogenated oils, which are often added to extend shelf life, should be avoided. Freshly ground peanut butter from your local grocery or health food store is a great option, as it's usually just made from the nuts and maybe a little salt. Some recommended brands of natural peanut butter include Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter and Santa Cruz Organics Creamy Light Roasted Peanut Butter.
While peanut butter can be a part of a keto diet, it's important to watch your portion sizes. A standard serving size is two tablespoons, which may be less than you expect. Additionally, keep in mind that peanut butter is high in calories, so it's best to stick to one serving or less per day.
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Peanut butter is high in calories
Peanut butter is a tasty and healthy staple that can be enjoyed as part of most eating plans, including the ketogenic diet. However, it is important to remember that it is high in calories. A serving size of peanut butter is generally two tablespoons, which contain approximately 188 calories and 16 grams of fat, depending on the brand. While peanut butter is a good source of dietary fat, it is important to be mindful of portion sizes, especially if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a calorie-controlled diet.
The high-fat content of peanut butter can be beneficial for those following a keto diet, as the diet recommends getting 60 to 80 percent of daily calories from fat. However, it is important to remember that nuts, like peanuts, contain a lot of calories, so if your goal on the keto diet is to lose weight, it is crucial to watch your portion sizes. Peanut butter has a high-calorie content for a relatively small serving, so it is easy to overindulge.
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that promotes weight loss by changing the body's energy source from carbohydrates to fats. The diet typically recommends limiting daily carb intake to a maximum of 50 grams, with some strict followers sticking to just 20 grams. A serving of peanut butter contains about 7 grams of total carbs and 5 to 5.5 grams of net carbs, which can quickly add up and take up a considerable portion of your daily carb allowance.
When choosing peanut butter for a keto diet, it is best to opt for natural, unsweetened varieties with no added sugars. Added sugars increase the carb content, making it less suitable for a keto diet. The most keto-friendly peanut butters have just peanuts and salt as ingredients, as they have the highest fiber content, which can be subtracted from the total carbs. Some recommended brands include Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter and Adam's Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter.
In conclusion, while peanut butter is a nutritious and delicious food that can be included in a keto diet, it is important to remember that it is high in calories. To maintain a calorie-controlled diet and avoid overindulging, it is crucial to stick to the recommended serving size and choose natural, unsweetened varieties with no added sugars.
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Portion sizes should be considered
The ketogenic diet typically recommends that 60-80% of daily calories come from fat, 20-30% from protein, and the remaining 5-10% from carbohydrates. This usually amounts to a maximum of 50 grams of carbohydrates per day, and some people on the keto diet stick to just 20 grams. Two tablespoons of regular peanut butter contain around 7 grams of total carbohydrates and 5-5.6 grams of net carbohydrates (total carbohydrates minus fibre). Natural peanut butter has slightly fewer carbohydrates, with 6-7 grams of total carbohydrates and 2-4 grams of net carbohydrates per two-tablespoon serving.
Peanut butter with added sugar will increase the carb content without adding fibre, resulting in a higher net carb intake. Therefore, it is important to check the nutrition label and ingredient list when choosing a keto-friendly peanut butter. The most keto-friendly peanut butters will have just peanuts and salt as ingredients, as these have the highest fibre content, which can be subtracted from the total carbohydrates to give you the net carb count.
In addition to portion sizes, it is also important to be mindful of the type of peanut butter you are consuming. Flavoured peanut butters, such as chocolate or honey varieties, can be much higher in total carbohydrates and added sugars, making them less suitable for a keto diet. Reduced-fat peanut butter also tends to have more carbohydrates for the same serving size compared to regular peanut butter.
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Other nut butters are lower in carbs
While peanut butter is a great source of fat, fiber, and protein, it is also high in calories. If you are on a keto diet, you may be looking for other nut butter options that are lower in carbs.
Almond butter is a good alternative to peanut butter, as it is slightly lower in carbs. Two tablespoons of almond butter contain 6 grams of total carbs, or 3 grams of net carbs.
Other nut butters that are lower in carbs than peanut butter include pecan butter, walnut butter, sunflower seed butter, and pumpkin seed butter. Pecan butter has 1 gram of net carb per 2-tablespoon serving, while walnut butter has 4 grams. Sunflower seed butter and pumpkin seed butter both have 2 grams of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving.
These alternative nut butters can be a great way to add variety to your keto diet and ensure you are getting a range of beneficial vitamins and minerals. For example, almonds are a good source of calcium, while cashews are rich in iron and magnesium.
When choosing a nut butter, it is important to read the labels and look for products with minimal ingredients. The most keto-friendly options will have just nuts and salt as the only ingredients, as these will have the highest fiber content. Avoid nut butters with added sugars, oils, or other fillers, as these can increase the carb content and negatively impact your keto diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, peanut butter is keto-friendly. It is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which is ideal for a ketogenic diet. However, it is important to check the ingredients for added sugars, as this can increase the carb content.
The recommended serving size for peanut butter on a keto diet is generally two tablespoons. This is because, despite being a good source of dietary fat, peanut butter also contains protein and carbs, so moderation is important.
Some keto-friendly peanut butter brands include Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter, Once Again Creamy Peanut Butter, and Santa Cruz Organics Creamy Light Roasted Peanut Butter. When choosing a peanut butter, look for products with only a few natural ingredients, such as peanuts and salt.
To determine if a peanut butter is keto-friendly, check the nutritional label. Keto-friendly peanut butters typically have a low number of net carbs, which is calculated by subtracting the fibre content from the total carbohydrates. It is also important to avoid products with added sugars, as this can increase the carb count.
Yes, there are several alternatives to peanut butter that are keto-friendly. These include almond butter, pecan butter, walnut butter, sunflower seed butter, and pumpkin seed butter. These options tend to have lower carb counts while still providing healthy fats and protein.