Which Is A Better Spread, Peanut Butter OR Nutella?

What should you put on your bread? Peanut Butter or Nutella? For someone conscious about their diet and fitness, the answer is obvious. There is a lot of evidence to support the fact that peanut butter is the healthier choice. With varieties like protein peanut butter especially, even professional athletes vouch for the benefits that this tasty spread has to offer.

Let us explore some facts that will give you enough reason to make the right choice to suit your lifestyle.

Ingredients Used

In the purest form, peanut butter is made with ground roasted peanuts. However, the ones that you buy off the rack contain ingredients like salt, corn syrup, or sucrose for added taste. To enjoy the maximum benefits of peanut butter, the variety that you also choose matters. Natural, high protein varieties are ideal as they are lower in fat and contain no added salt or sugar.

Nutella is made from cocoa, hazelnuts, vanillin, lecithin, palm oil, and sugar. The primary ingredient in Nutella is sugar, as you will see it listed at the top of the nutrition label. So, while both of them are nut butter, they vary significantly in their nutritional value.

Nutritional Benefits

Here are some nutritional facts about peanut butter and Nutella to help you understand the difference between the two:

  • Protein: In every two tablespoons of peanut butter, you get close to 7g of protein. Nutella, on the other hand, gives you 3g in every two tablespoons. In fact, according to the Canadian Food Guide, peanut butter is considered a replacement for meat protein. With varieties like bGreen 100% vegan protein peanut butter, you also have additional protein sources like pea and brown rice protein that make it a reliable source of this nutrient.
  • Calories: Peanut Butter and Nutella are pretty close in the calorie count. Respectively, they contain 200 and 191 calories in every two tablespoons. Nutella has a higher calorie count because of its high sugar content.
  • Fat Content: Nutella contains 11g of fat in every two tablespoons, while peanut butter contains 16.44g. Almost 80% of the fat content in peanut butter is oleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes peanut butter a healthier source of fat that helps in various metabolic functions. Hazelnuts in Nutella also contain omega-3 fatty acids. However, the concentration is not as high as peanut butter.
  • Carbohydrates: Nutella contains almost three times the amount of carbohydrates as peanut butter. Regular peanut butter contains about 7.14g of carbohydrates in every two tablespoons, while Nutella contains 7g. So, if you are on a weight loss or weight management diet, peanut butter is the right choice for you.
  • Sugar: This is where peanut butter and Nutella differ the most. Nutella contains seven times the amount of sugar when compared to peanut butter. While regular peanut butter contains about 3.4g of sugar in every two tablespoons, Nutella contains 21g. 100% Natural Peanut Butter varieties have as low as 1g of sugar in every serving, making them the healthier choice for long-term benefits.

The Bottomline

In conclusion, peanut butter is much healthier than Nutella. Both products offer the benefits of great taste and versatility. However, when it comes to nutritional benefits, peanut butter is the obvious choice.

However, the type of peanut butter you choose makes a big difference. Ensure you check the label to ensure that it is 100% natural and contains high-quality proteins. Avoid heavily processed peanut butter varieties that have salt and added sugar. They are a source of empty calories that do not help you in your fitness journey.