Is Peanut Butter a Good Source of Protein?

Getting enough protein can be challenging for many people. Like me, some of us rely on peanut butter to help meet our protein needs. Athletes typically need about 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. For example, someone who weighs 80 kilograms would need more than one jar of our peanut butter every day to meet that goal — which is a bit unrealistic! So, what exactly is the protein content like in peanut butter?

Amino Acids and Protein

Protein is essential for building and repairing your body’s cells. When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into amino acids, which your cells use for various functions. Your body can produce some amino acids on its own — these are called non-essential amino acids. But the protein you get from food contains nine essential amino acids that your body cannot make and must get from your diet. These are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Not all proteins contain these amino acids in equal amounts. Peanut butter is rich in leucine and phenylalanine, has moderate amounts of tyrosine, valine, lysine, isoleucine, and threonine, and contains lower amounts of histidine and tryptophan.

Variety is Key

Eating a variety of protein sources is important to get all the essential amino acids your body needs. Try to include different plant-based and animal-based proteins in your diet. It’s also important to listen to your body — everyone reacts differently to different proteins. For me, I know a protein source works well when my stomach feels calm and doesn’t cramp after eating.

How Much Protein in Peanut Butter?

A big spoonful of our peanut butter provides about 10 grams of protein. Besides being a good source of protein, peanut plants are also great for the environment. So, when you enjoy our peanut butter, you’re doing something good for your health and the planet!