Is Peanut Butter a Fat or a Carbohydrate on the Diabetic Diet?

Peanut butter is classified as both a fat and a meat on the Diabetic Diet--not a carbohydrate, despite the inclusion of sugar in some brands.

Features

High in both protein and fats from the peanut oil naturally occurring in peanuts, one serving of peanut butter (two tablespoons) must be counted as two meat or protein and one fat exchange. One serving of peanut butter is a counted the same as an egg in exchanges.

Misconceptions

Some peanut butters contain either sugar and or hydrogenated vegetable oils, which is a kind of saturated fat. The sugars and added oil are used to keep the peanut butter from separating while on the shelf. It is the added sugar that leads to the misconception of peanut butter being a carbohydrate on the diabetic exchange.

Types

Always read the nutritional label to find the peanut butter with the least number of ingredients in it. Typically, peanut butter should only have peanuts and salt listed as ingredients.

Warning

While the amount of added sugar in peanut butter is often negligible, it may be a consideration for those who are very sensitive to any added sugar. When in doubt, choose a peanut butter without added sugar.

Fun Fact

Peanuts are legumes, not nuts, and are naturally cholesterol free. A typical 12-ounce jar of peanut butter contains over 500 peanuts, and peanuts are found in four of the top ten selling candy bars in the United States.