Peanut butter and crackers are a classic snack combination enjoyed by many. Ritz crackers, with their signature salty taste, pair perfectly with the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter. While this snack is undoubtedly tasty, many health-conscious snackers wonder just how many calories are packed into this iconic duo.
In this article, we will explore the calorie content of 2 Ritz crackers spread with peanut butter. We will look at the calorie count of Ritz crackers on their own, the calories in different types of peanut butter, and do the math to determine the total calories in a 2 cracker serving with peanut butter. Read on to get the full nutritional breakdown!
Calories in Ritz Crackers
First, let’s examine the calorie content of Ritz crackers on their own without any accompaniments. Here are some key details about Ritz crackers nutrition:
– One standard Ritz cracker contains about 50 calories.
– Ritz crackers typically come in 1-ounce sleeves with 5 or 6 crackers per sleeve.
– The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific Ritz cracker variety. Original Ritz crackers contain:
– 50 calories per 1 cracker
– 250 calories per serving (5 crackers)
– Lower fat Ritz crackers contain slightly less:
– 45 calories per cracker
– 220 calories per serving
– Whole wheat Ritz crackers contain:
– 60 calories per cracker
– 300 calories per serving
So in summary, on average each Ritz cracker packs roughly 50 calories. That means a serving of just 2 Ritz crackers would contain about 100 calories total. Now let’s look at how peanut butter factors in.
Calories in Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can have quite a broad range of calories depending on factors like:
– Regular vs. reduced-fat
– Chunky vs. smooth
– Added sugars or oils
– Serving size (2 tbsp vs. 1 tbsp)
Here is an overview of the typical calorie content of different types of peanut butter:
– Regular creamy peanut butter:
– 190 calories per 2 tbsp
– 95 calories per 1 tbsp
– Reduced-fat peanut butter:
– 130-140 calories per 2 tbsp
– 65-70 calories per 1 tbsp
– Natural peanut butter:
– 200 calories for 2 tbsp
– 100 calories for 1 tbsp
So you can see there is nearly a 100 calorie swing between options like regular vs. reduced fat peanut butter. When spread atop a Ritz cracker, even a modest 1 tablespoon serving of regular peanut butter will add nearly 100 calories.
Total Calories: 2 Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter
Now that we know the base calorie counts of Ritz crackers and peanut butter separately, let’s put it all together.
**If you take 2 Ritz crackers and top them with 1 tablespoon of regular creamy peanut butter, the total calorie count comes to:**
– 2 Ritz crackers: 100 calories
– 1 tbsp peanut butter: 95 calories
– **Total: 195 calories**
So in total, you would be consuming close to 200 calories for this small snack of just 2 Ritz crackers with peanut butter.
Here is a breakdown of the estimated calorie totals for 2 Ritz crackers with different types of peanut butter:
| Type of Peanut Butter | Calories (2 crackers + 1 tbsp) |
|---|---|
| Regular creamy | 195 calories |
| Reduced fat creamy | 165 calories |
| Natural style | 200 calories |
As you can see, the calorie count doesn’t vary dramatically between different types of peanut butter. But reduced fat options will save you about 30 calories.
Ways to Reduce Calories in This Snack
If you want to lighten up this snack, there are a few easy ways to reduce the calorie count:
– Use reduced fat peanut butter instead of regular.
– Watch your portions and stick to 1 tablespoon peanut butter rather than two.
– Choose light or low-fat Ritz cracker varieties instead of original.
– Top with a tablespoon of all-natural nut butter instead like almond or cashew butter.
– Swap out Ritz for a lower calorie cracker option like wheat thins (45 calories per cracker) or rice cakes (35-40 calories per cake).
Making any of those simple substitutions can bring the total calories below 200 for a 2 cracker serving with nut butter topping.
Nutritional Pros and Cons of Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter
Now that we have covered the calorie content, let’s briefly summarize some of the key nutritional pros and cons of this snack combo.
**Pros:**
– Provides protein from the peanut butter topping. Just 1 tablespoon offers about 4 grams protein.
– Good source of fiber (about 2 grams per serving).
– Contains some micronutrients like vitamin E from the peanut butter.
– The carb and fat combination can help you feel full and satisfied.
– Provides some bone-healthy calcium and magnesium from the crackers.
**Potential cons:**
– High in sodium – a serving contains about 230 mg sodium, or 10% of daily value.
– Higher in carbohydrates than other nut butter snack options like celery or apple slices.
– Peanut butter is high in omega-6 fats compared to healthier omega-3s.
– Crackers made with partially hydrogenated oils contribute trans fats.
So while this snack has some nutritional redeeming qualities, the high sodium content and less healthy fats should be considered.
Healthier Snacking Alternatives
If you are looking for snack options with a better nutrition profile than Ritz crackers with peanut butter, here are some good alternatives:
– Celery sticks with almond butter
– Apple or banana slices with peanut butter
– Whole grain crackers with hummus
– Low-fat cottage cheese with berries
– Greek yogurt parfaits with nuts and seeds
– Hard boiled eggs
– Edamame sprinkled with sea salt
– Fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, grapes or cherry tomatoes
– Air popped popcorn
These options provide more filling fiber, a variety of vitamins and minerals, and healthier fats. Portion control is still important, but they are nutritionally superior snacking choices compared to peanut butter on Ritz crackers.
The Bottom Line
So let’s round up the key takeaways on calories in this classic snack combo:
– Two Ritz crackers with a tablespoon of regular peanut butter totals about 195 calories
– You can reduce the calorie count by choosing light versions of either the crackers or peanut butter
– While tasty, this snack is relatively high in sodium and not optimal nutritionally
– Healthier alternatives exist for more nutrient-dense snacking around 200 calories
In moderation, this American staple snack of Ritz crackers topped with peanut butter is fine. But be mindful of portions, and consider swapping in some healthier snacks too.
Now that you know exactly how many calories are in 2 Ritz crackers with peanut butter, you can enjoy this snack with a better awareness of its nutritional impact. Armed with the facts on calories, fat, sodium and more, you can make informed decisions about when and how often to indulge in this tasty snack.
