How much is a tablespoon of peanut butter?
In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “How much is a tablespoon of peanut butter?” Also, we’ll explore how peanut butter is made, what the nutritional content of peanut butter is, what are the health benefits of eating peanut butter, and to who is peanut butter contraindicated.
How much is a tablespoon of peanut butter?
In one tablespoon, there are roughly fifteen grams of peanut butter. This is because peanut butter is slightly denser than water.
For reference, an American tablespoon has a volume of roughly 14.78 ml, using water as a reference (as it has a density of 1), this equates to 14.78 grams. However as peanut butter is a little denser (the same volume is heavier), a tablespoon of peanut butter will weigh roughly fifteen grams.
We encourage our readers to make the necessary conversions before engaging in a recipe that lists units that they may not be accustomed to handling.
How is peanut butter made?
Peanut butter, as its name indicates, is made from peanuts that have been processed, whittled, and mixed with oil, salt, and sugar.
A brief outline of the procedure includes harvesting the peanuts from cultivated plants and removing the shells.
Once the peanuts have been stripped down to a thin peel, they can be placed on a conveyor belt that will transport them to a station where they’ll have their thin peel removed, either by gently shaking them until it comes off or by rolling the peanuts until the layer withers away.
To remove any flakes that may have not been thoroughly removed, the peanuts can be treated with a blast of hot air, that’ll remove flakes and any other impurities.
Once the peanuts are cleaned, they’re toasted on a metal sheet, and cooked until they’ve browned evenly.
From there, the peanuts are fed to a grinding machine that’ll whittle them to a fine powder, and vegetable oil will be added, along with salt and sugar, to give the peanut its buttery consistency.
Some peanut butters may be made with hydrogenated oil, and through a complex, mechanical process, the butter can be made into an emulsion that’ll make it no-stir peanut butter.
However, if this emulsifying process isn’t carried out, the oil added to the butter will rise to the top.
It should be noted that peanut butter that requires stirring is considered healthier than no-stir peanut butter, A general rule of thumb is that the more natural a peanut butter is (the fewer additives it contains) the better quality and healthier it is.
What is the nutritional content of peanut butter?
The exact nutritional content of peanut butter will depend on the brand, as well as, the ingredients and additives used to prepare it.
For reference, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (equivalent to roughly 32 grams) will provide:
- 188 calories – of which 143 are sourced from fat
- 7 grams of protein
- 16 grams of fat (25% of the RDI) – of which 3 grams are saturated fat (15% of the RDI), 3.6 grams are polyunsaturated fat, and 6.6 grams are monounsaturated fat.
- 7.7 grams of carbohydrates (3% of the RDI), of which 1.8 grams are dietary fiber (7% of the RDI), and 2.1 grams are sugars
- 152 milligrams of sodium (6% of the RDI)
- 189 milligrams of potassium (5% of the RDI)
Additionally, the same portion can provide 1.3% of the RDI of calcium and 3.8% of the RDI of iron.
What are the health benefits of eating peanut butter?
The health benefits of eating peanut butter include that it is a source of protein, omega-6, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B6.
Its protein content can help maintain healthy muscle mass, proper immune function, and the proper synthesis of other proteins such as enzymes, necessary for cellular functions.
The omega-6 content can help protect against oxidative stress, specifically, by lowering the risk of heart disease.
Magnesium is an important cofactor (necessary for the function) of many enzymes that are important in cellular processes.
Phosphorus is important for maintaining bone health, and in the formation of many important biomolecules such as DNA.
Zinc is also important, as it is essential for growth and development, and it is necessary for the proper functioning of many enzymes (proteins).
Originally, peanut butter was conceived as an alternative for people with dental problems (unable to chew) to still consume protein. Today, it is a popular spread that many people enjoy throughout the day, both on its own and combined with other spreads.
Who is peanut butter contraindicated for?
Peanut butter is contraindicated for those with severe allergies, and in the case of no-stir types, it is contraindicated for patients at risk or diagnosed with heart disease.
Patients with severe allergies can suffer dire symptoms such as anaphylactic shock by simply smelling peanut butter, and therefore, these people must always keep away from peanuts and other derived products.
Peanut butter that is highly processed and formulated with saturated fatty oils and trans-fatty acids should also be avoided, as it can increase the risk of heart disease, and circulatory problems.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “How much is a tablespoon of peanut butter?” Also, we’ve explored how peanut butter is made, what the nutritional content of peanut butter is, what are the health benefits of eating peanut butter, and to who is peanut butter contraindicated.
References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-peanut-butter-bad-for-you
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323781#nutritional-benefits
https://www.nutritionix.com/food/peanut-butter
https://www.howmany.wiki/vw/–1–tbsp–of–peanut-butter–in–gram
