How many calories in a tablespoon of Smuckers peanut butter?

Quick Answer

A tablespoon of Smuckers creamy peanut butter contains about 100 calories. Smuckers peanut butter is a popular brand of peanut butter that comes in creamy, crunchy, natural and other varieties. A standard serving size of 2 tablespoons (32g) contains 190 calories.

Calories and Nutrition Facts for Smuckers Peanut Butter

The number of calories in Smuckers peanut butter depends on the variety:

  • Smuckers Creamy Peanut Butter: 100 calories per tablespoon (16g)
  • Smuckers Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: 90 calories per tablespoon (16g)
  • Smuckers Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter: 90 calories per tablespoon (16g)
  • Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter Spread: 80 calories per tablespoon (16g)
  • Smuckers Simply Fruit Spreads (peanut butter and jelly blends): 45 calories per tablespoon (15g)

Smuckers peanut butter also contains these nutrients per serving:

Nutrient Amount
Total Fat 8g
Saturated Fat 2g
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 75mg
Potassium 104mg
Total Carbohydrate 6g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 3g
Protein 5g

As you can see, peanut butter is high in fat, mostly the healthy unsaturated fats. It provides a mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, with a small amount of saturated fat.

Peanut butter is naturally cholesterol-free and low in sodium. It supplies a modest amount of minerals like potassium.

Carbohydrates in peanut butter are mainly fiber and naturally-occurring sugars. The protein comes from the peanuts themselves, giving you 5 grams per serving.

So in summary, a tablespoon of Smuckers creamy style peanut butter provides 100 calories, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams carbs, 5 grams protein and 1 gram fiber.

Factors Affecting Calorie Content

Several factors impact the calorie content in different types of Smuckers peanut butter:

1. Peanut butter variety

Smuckers makes creamy, crunchy, natural, and spreadable varieties of peanut butter. The classic creamy and crunchy styles are higher in calories than natural or spreadable options.

Natural peanut butter has no added sugars or oils, resulting in fewer calories, while spreads are diluted with vegetable oils to make them easier to spread.

2. Added ingredients

Peanut butter with extra ingredients like honey, chocolate, or jelly will have more calories per tablespoon. For example, Smuckers Simply Fruit Spreads contain 45 calories per tablespoon compared to 100 calories for regular creamy peanut butter.

Check the label for ingredients as products like “honey roasted” or “chocolate flavored” peanut butter will be higher in sugar and calories.

3. Serving size

Pay attention to the serving size, as this will affect the calories. For peanut butter, one serving is 2 tablespoons or 32 grams. If you eat a larger portion, say 3 tablespoons, you’ll increase the calories by 50%.

Measure peanut butter carefully to control portions and calories. Weighing with a food scale helps ensure accurate serving sizes.

4. Peanut quality and roasting

Higher quality peanuts tend to have a higher fat and calorie content. The degree of roasting can also impact calories, as longer roasted peanuts lose a bit of fat.

So peanut butter made from highly roasted peanuts may be slightly lower in calories than minimally processed versions made from raw Valencia peanuts. But the difference is usually small.

Comparing Smuckers to Other Peanut Butter Brands

How does the calorie content of Smuckers peanut butter compare to other popular brands?

Here is a look at calories per tablespoon for some top selling creamy peanut butters:

Brand Calories
Smuckers 100
Jif 100
Skippy 100
Peter Pan 100
Kroger 100

As you can see, the major brands all hover right around 100 calories per tablespoon for the creamy/original styles. This makes sense since they use similar ingredients and preparation methods.

There is more variability when comparing natural peanut butter, reduced fat, or specialty flavors between brands. Still, for original creamy peanut butter, most brands provide 100-110 calories in a standard tablespoon serving.

Tips to Reduce Calories in Peanut Butter

While peanut butter is high in calories and fat, it also supplies nutrition in the form of protein, minerals, and healthy fats. Here are some ways to keep enjoying peanut butter while reducing the calorie intake:

  • Measure portions carefully using measuring spoons or a food scale.
  • Stick to the standard serving size of 2 tablespoons.
  • Choose reduced fat natural peanut butter or peanut butter spreads.
  • Pair peanut butter with low calorie foods like apples or celery.
  • Use peanut butter to flavor dishes like oatmeal or smoothies without adding spoonfuls.
  • Substitute PB2 powdered peanut butter to save about half the calories.
  • Buy single-serve cups to prevent overeating from a big jar.
  • Enjoy peanut butter in moderation as part of balanced diet.

Focus on keeping portions controlled and balancing peanut butter with nutrient-dense, low calorie foods for a healthy way to enjoy it while managing calories.

Health Benefits of Peanut Butter

Despite being high in calories, peanut butter and peanuts are associated with several health benefits:

  • Heart health – Peanuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that may help lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart disease risk factors like blood pressure and triglycerides.
  • Blood sugar control – The fat and protein in peanut butter helps slow digestion, keeping blood sugar levels more stable compared to high carb foods.
  • Nutrient density – Peanuts contain a range of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, providing key nutrients for health like niacin, magnesium, vitamin E, and more.
  • Satiety – The protein and fat keeps you feeling fuller for longer after eating peanut butter compared to carb-heavy snacks.
  • Brain health – As a good source of niacin, peanut butter may help support cognitive function.

Enjoy peanut butter in moderation as part of balanced nutrition plan for its great taste and nutrition benefits. Monitor portions to keep calories in check.

Conclusion

A tablespoon of Smuckers creamy peanut butter contains about 100 calories, providing a good dose of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. The exact calorie content can vary based on factors like peanut variety, added ingredients, serving size, and roasting time.

Smuckers peanut butter offers similar calories and nutrition stats to other popular creamy peanut butter brands like Jif and Skippy. While high in calories, peanut butter can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet thanks to its great taste and nutrition profile. Just be sure to measure serving sizes and balance it with low calorie foods to manage calories.

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