Is peanut butter a good source of protein? Nutrition experts explain.
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 is the macronutrient du jour. Discussions about nutrition online as of late are all about making sure you're consuming .

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is currently 0.36 grams of protein per pound, according to , or about 54 grams daily for a person who weighs 150 pounds.

But diet experts are increasingly pushing for consuming higher amounts of protein: upwards of 60 to 90 grams daily. Registered dietitian  previously told USA TODAY that she recommends getting "at least 20 grams of protein per meal for satiety," though she notes everyone has different needs.

To what extent can peanut butter help you reach those goals? Nutrition experts explain.

How much protein is in an egg?
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A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains about 7 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) .

That's not an insignificant amount of protein. But it's also not the best source if you're trying to up your protein intake, dietitian , RD, CDCES, tells USA TODAY.

"(Peanut butter) gets this reputation that it's so high in protein," she says. "It's just fine. The juice isn't always worth the squeeze, in my opinion. I think peanut butter is still super nutritious and a healthy food. You get ... protein, you get a little bit of fiber, you get heart-healthy fat. All of those things are also great, but as a protein source, it's not the best."

That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat peanut butter — experts say it just means peanut butter is meant to be a small part of more well-rounded meal. Thomason suggests pairing a serving of peanut butter with a carb, protein and a fruit or vegetable. Some favorite combos include peanut butter and an apple, peanut butter and banana toast and a smoothie or oatmeal with peanut butter.

"Those things are going to help you balance it out and not feel like it's easy to overeat," she says.

 is the macronutrient du jour. Discussions about nutrition online as of late are all about making sure you're consuming .

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is currently 0.36 grams of protein per pound, according to , or about 54 grams daily for a person who weighs 150 pounds.

But diet experts are increasingly pushing for consuming higher amounts of protein: upwards of 60 to 90 grams daily. Registered dietitian  previously told USA TODAY that she recommends getting "at least 20 grams of protein per meal for satiety," though she notes everyone has different needs.

To what extent can peanut butter help you reach those goals? Nutrition experts explain.

### Is peanut butter a good source of protein?

A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains about 7 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) .

That's not an insignificant amount of protein. But it's also not the best source if you're trying to up your protein intake, dietitian , RD, CDCES, tells USA TODAY.

"(Peanut butter) gets this reputation that it's so high in protein," she says. "It's just fine. The juice isn't always worth the squeeze, in my opinion. I think peanut butter is still super nutritious and a healthy food. You get ... protein, you get a little bit of fiber, you get heart-healthy fat. All of those things are also great, but as a protein source, it's not the best."

That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat peanut butter — experts say it just means peanut butter is meant to be a small part of more well-rounded meal. Thomason suggests pairing a serving of peanut butter with a carb, protein and a fruit or vegetable. Some favorite combos include peanut butter and an apple, peanut butter and banana toast and a smoothie or oatmeal with peanut butter.

"Those things are going to help you balance it out and not feel like it's easy to overeat," she says.

### Is peanut butter a good source of protein?

A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains about 7 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) .

That's not an insignificant amount of protein. But it's also not the best source if you're trying to up your protein intake, dietitian , RD, CDCES, tells USA TODAY.

"(Peanut butter) gets this reputation that it's so high in protein," she says. "It's just fine. The juice isn't always worth the squeeze, in my opinion. I think peanut butter is still super nutritious and a healthy food. You get ... protein, you get a little bit of fiber, you get heart-healthy fat. All of those things are also great, but as a protein source, it's not the best."

That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat peanut butter — experts say it just means peanut butter is meant to be a small part of more well-rounded meal. Thomason suggests pairing a serving of peanut butter with a carb, protein and a fruit or vegetable. Some favorite combos include peanut butter and an apple, peanut butter and banana toast and a smoothie or oatmeal with peanut butter.

"Those things are going to help you balance it out and not feel like it's easy to overeat," she says.
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