Nutella vs Peanut Butter : Which Should You Choose

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Nutella vs Peanut Butter

Perhaps you are aware of the debate between that sweet hazelnut cocoa spread we call Nutella and the delicious creamy peanut butter spread known as peanut butter. We are going to take a walk through what they are, their nutritional values, and what you can use each one for.

Peanut Butter vs Nutella

How Similar Are Nutella and Peanut Butter?

How similar are peanut butter and Nutella? While they have a lot of things in common, they are also quite different. Both Nutella and peanut butter are made from nuts, although different kinds, and they are both made into a creamy spread. They are also different in that one is chocolate-like while the other is savory. Their nutritional values also vary a lot. Let’s take a deeper look at peanut butter vs Nutella in their nutrition, taste, and usage.

Peanut Butter vs. Nutella

1. Nutrition and Texture

The texture between Nutella and creamy peanut butter is very similar. Both are easy to spread and are thick. Their nutritional values are quite different between the two, however. Nutella, depending on if you buy the name brand or a store brand, has around two hundred calories per two tablespoons, while peanut butter, depending on the brand, ranges from one hundred eighty calories to two hundred and ten calories for every two tablespoons. 

2. Taste

The taste between the lovely hazelnut spread and peanut butter is different as well. Nutella has a creamy, hazelnut combined with chocolate flavor. Compared to peanut butter which has a peanut flavor mixed with the sweet and savory that is iconic to peanut butter alone. 

3. Usage

Peanut butter and Nutella have similar usages for the delicious spreads. Most common, they are used as a topping for toast, pancakes, and waffles. Peanut butter is also used in baking, where Nutella is not commonly found in baked goods, although there is no reason why it could not be used this way. 

Is Nutella Healthy? Ingredients, Nutrition, and More

Nutella includes the following ingredients to make up this delicious spread: 

Sugar: the largest component of Nutella is sugar. It may contain different types depending on where it is produced. 

Palm oil: is a type of vegetable that comes from the oil palm tree. This oil is what helps to give Nutella its iconic creamy texture and ability to spread so swiftly. 

Hazelnuts: Nutella is based on the nut paste from hazelnuts. In one jar of the hazelnut spread, there are about fifty nuts that are needed to make each one. 

Cocoa: cocoa beans that are primarily from West Africa are ground into a fine powder and combined with a few additional ingredients then mixed into the Nutella spread to give it the delicious chocolate flavor. 

Skimmed milk powder: this milk powder is used because it greatly expands the shelf life as opposed to using regular milk and does not require refrigeration. Skimmed milk powder is made by removing the water from pasteurized milk. 

Soy lecithin: is made from soybeans and helps to keep all of the ingredients from separating. 

Vanillin: boosts the flavor and is made from vanilla beans. 

Although Nutella is known as a hazelnut spread, it is primarily made from sugar. This spread contains fifty-seven percent of the weight from its sugar content. While there are a few good factors to it, such as a small amount of protein, calcium, and iron, the majority of Nutella is sugar, calories, and fat-based. 

What’s in Nutella?

Nutella is known for its sweet combination of chocolate and hazelnut flavors. It is made by Ferrero, which is an Italian company. Nutella was created in Italy during World War II, when Pietro Ferrero was trying to find a way to make up for the shortage of cocoa in his country. To help it go further, he ground hazelnuts to a chocolate spread, and Nutella was created. 

Ingredients and Nutrition

Nutella contains sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skimmed milk powder, whey, soy lecithin, and vanillin. 

The nutrition of Nutella is as follows for two tablespoons: 12g total fat, 15mg sodium, 21g carbs, 21g sugar, 2g protein, 4% calcium (out of your daily intake of 2,000), and 4% iron (out of your daily intake of 2,000). 

Is Nutella Healthy?

You might think from all of the advertisements that Nutella is healthy. You might think that it is because it is made from hazelnuts, skim milk, and cocoa. However, those are not the main ingredients in Nutella. Because Nutella is loaded with sugar, high in fat and calories, it is not a healthy food. Since Nutella is not a healthy food, it should not be used as a substitute for nut butter. 

Should You Eat Nutella?

Nutella is so delicious, but should you really eat it? Like any other food that is loaded with sugar and fat, it is okay to indulge in it. However, it should only be eaten once in a while, and in small quantities. For sure, Nutella should not be eaten every day, or for every meal. Keep your enjoyment of it limited to once in a while, or on special occasions. Doing this will help you to protect your health. 

What’s in Peanut Butter?

There are four main brands of peanut butter along with local store brands that sell the most peanut butter today. Below is a look at what they claim are the ingredients in their corresponding peanut butters. 

Jif: Made from Roasted Peanuts, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed and Soybean), Mono and Diglycerides, Molasses, Sugar, Salt.

Skippy: Roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil (cottonseed, soybean, and rapeseed oil) to prevent separation, salt.

Peter Pan: roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt. 

Smucker’s: Peanuts, Contains 1% or Less of Salt.

Each of these lists peanuts as their number one ingredient, unlike Nutella. How each brand of peanut butter is made up varies, but they all contain a combination of salt, some have sugar and molasses to help make them sweet, and then oils and items to help keep the ingredients from separating. 

peanut butter and nutella

The Nutritional Value of Nutella vs Peanut Butter

Let’s now compare the nutritional value of Nutella vs peanut butter and see how the two stack up. The top-selling brand of peanut butter has been Jif for several years, so we will focus on that brand’s nutritional values below, although the top brands are similar in their nutrition facts. 

Peanut butter nutrition

Peanut butter, specifically for the Jif name brand contains the following nutrition facts for two tablespoons: 

17g total fat
3.5g saturated fat
65mg sodium
7g total carbohydrate
3g fiber
2g sugar
7g protein
18mg calcium (2%)
1mg iron
198mg potassium
2mg vitamin E
5mg Niacin

Nutella nutrition

Below is Nutella’s nutrition facts based on a serving size of two tablespoons:

12g total fat
4g saturated fat
15mg sodium
21g carbs
21g sugar
2g protein
4% calcium (out of 2,000 per day)
4% iron (out of 2,000 per day)

What Are the Benefits of Nutella?

The benefits of Nutella are that this spread is made with hazelnuts and skimmed milk. Typically, this means that it is good to support your heart function, as well as added nutrition to your diet. It also contains some iron and calcium, although not a ton of it. Perhaps this has simply been packaged in a pretty ribbon, and it is not all that great for you. 

Things to Consider About Nutella

Although the marketers for Nutella do a great job, and the chocolate, creamy spread does taste amazing, don’t overlook the high fat and sugar content to get excited about the hazelnuts, little bit of iron, and calcium this spread contains. 

The Pros of Peanut Butter

While peanut butter also has high-fat content, it has been proven that as long as you monitor portion control, eating peanut butter can help to improve your heart health, help you to lose weight, manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your risk of breast disease, and help with anticancer properties.

Peanut Butter vs. Nutella, Which is Healthier?

To determine which one is healthier, consider each one’s macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and sugar content. Once all things are considered, peanut butter typically comes out as the healthier option, depending on what your brand of peanut butter is like. 

Difference Between Peanut butter and Nutella

The main difference between peanut butter and Nutella is the nuts that they are made from and their taste. While Nutella is more of a chocolate flavor, peanut butter maintains the peanut flavor with a bit of sweetness thrown in. 

There’s a battle raging between Nutella and peanut butter

There is a competition between peanut butter and Nutella to determine which one is better. While we can look at the nutritional facts on each container to determine which one is healthier for you, the ultimate choice of which one you like better is up to your taste preferences. Just keep in mind, that Nutella should be more of a treat instead of an everyday indulgence. 

Nutella vs Peanut Butter: A Healthy Alternative to Nutella?

So, you really like Nutella, is there a healthier alternative out there that you can enjoy without guilt, more often? Perhaps there is. Peanut Butter and Co has started producing chocolate peanut butter. Doesn’t that sound delicious? This chocolate peanut butter has the following nutritional facts for a serving size of two tablespoons: 

13g total fat
2.5 g saturated fat
45mg sodium
11g total carbs
2g fiber
7g total sugars
6g protein
2% calcium (% is based on the daily value of 2,000)
6% iron (% is based on the daily value of 2,000)
4% potassium (% is based on the daily value of 2,000)

Ingredients: peanuts, cane sugar, cocoa, cocoa butter, palm oil, natural vanilla with other natural flavors, lecithin (from sunflowers), salt. 

My Most Controversial Post Ever: Nutella vs Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

When comparing Nutella vs dark chocolate peanut butter, dark chocolate wins in all categories except for calcium. Nutella contains 4% of your daily value in two tablespoons, while dark chocolate peanut butter contains 2% of your daily value of calcium. However, in all other categories, dark chocolate peanut butter wins for sure. 

Words For The Wise

Although ads for Nutella might tempt you to believe that it is healthy and safe, this might not be the case. By choosing peanut butter over Nutella, you might be making the best move you can, for your health. Be sure to read the nutrition labels on your peanut butter to be sure that this is the case. If you decide to make peanut butter at home, you can always flavor it as you desire and enjoy it as a spread.  

Bottom Line:

The bottom line for the comparison between Nutella vs Peanut Butter is that peanut butter is often times the healthier option between the two. Nutella is higher in sugar content, while peanut butter is lower in sugar, higher in protein, and lower in fat content that is unhealthy. 

Price: 

The price difference between peanut butter and Nutella is also quite noticeable. When comparing the price per ounce, Nutella is substantially higher. In some stores, the price per ounce for Nutella is about double the price per ounce of peanut butter. 

Taste:

While both are rich and creamy in taste and texture, peanut butter definitely has a strong peanut taste that is sweet yet savory. Nutella on the other hand has a hazelnut flavor that is mixed with chocolate. 

Nutrition:

The nutritional values of peanut butter and Nutella are also quite different. Looking only at calories and fat, Nutella contains two hundred calories per every two tablespoons, and peanut butter also contains around two hundred calories in two tablespoons. Please note, the calories in peanut butter will depend on your specific brand. 

Fat content in peanut butter comes in around 17 grams of total fat, and 3.5 grams of saturated fat. Nutella on the other hand contains 12 grams of total fat and 4 grams of saturated fat. 

Nutella

Peanut Butter

12g total fat
4g saturated fat
15mg sodium
21g carbs
21g sugar
2g protein
4% calcium (out of 2,000 per day)
4% iron (out of 2,000 per day)

17g total fat
3.5g saturated fat
65mg sodium
7g total carbohydrate
3g fiber
2g sugar
7g protein
18mg calcium (2%)
1mg iron
198g Potassium
2mg vitamin E
5mg Niacin

peanut butter or nutella

Final Verdict:

When comparing Nutella to Peanut Butter, peanut butter is the winner as far as nutritional value is concerned. Please keep in mind that you can enjoy both in moderation, however, Nutella should be treated as something to enjoy for a special occasion, instead of being part of your daily diet. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Taste More Like Nutella

There is a very simple way that you can make your peanut butter have the lovely chocolate taste of Nutella. To do this, simply combine ½ cup melted chocolate chips with ¾ to 1 cup peanut butter and stir to combine. Once all of your peanut butter streaks have been mixed in, you are ready to enjoy! Seriously, it is just that easy. 

Related FAQs

Is Nutella Healthier Than Peanut Butter?

No, peanut butter is healthier than Nutella.

Is Nutella Healthy?

Not exactly, while Nutella contains a few healthy ingredients, once they are all mixed together, the health benefits of Nutella are very minimal. 

Should you choose peanut butter or Nutella? 

If you are looking for a healthy option, by all means, go for the peanut butter. However, if you are only eating them once in a while, it is okay to enjoy either one of these options. 

What Is Better Peanut Butter or Nutella?

What is better? That is up to you and your taste buds. If you are looking for a rich, chocolate, creamy spread, then Nutella is it. If you are looking for a sweet and savory combination, then peanut butter will satisfy your craving. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, consult nutrition facts, but in most cases, peanut butter is going to be your better option. 

Chocolate hazelnut spread vs peanut butter: which is healthier?

In most cases, peanut butter is going to be the healthier option. However, be sure to consult your brand label. 

How Do Chocolate-Flavored Spreads Compare with Peanut Butter?

This will depend specifically on the chocolate spread you are looking at. Nutella is always a tasty option, but peanut butter is a classic delight. Be sure to compare your labels if you are looking for a healthy choice. 

Question: What are the differences between peanut butter vs Nutella?

Although the debate is raging between peanut butter and Nutella, the nutrition facts on each label vary a great deal. Check out your facts to be sure you are choosing the healthier option. 

Other Alternatives:

Vegemite: which is made from leftover brewer’s yeast. The yeast is mixed together with salt, malt extract, B vitamins thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and folate, as well as vegetable extract.
Pro: low in sugar and fat content. 
Con: high in salt and generally eaten with butter, which increases the fat content.
Jam and honey: no fat, high sugar, and no salt.
Tahini: high fat, no salt, and no sugar.
Avocado: high fat, no salt, and no sugar.

Which spread do you use?

Which one do you really want?

Summary:

In summary, both peanut butter and Nutella are delicious to enjoy whether it is on toast, waffle, or pancake toppings just to name a few ideas. Many people are under the impression that Nutella has greater health benefits than peanut butter. However, if you are concerned about the nutrition facts for each one, be sure to read your labels. In most cases, peanut butter comes out as being the healthier option for many reasons. Both are great to be enjoyed on occasion. However, Nutella should be one of those things that we enjoy in small amounts and as a treat. 

Other relevant links:

Cake Boss Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Classic Ketchup Soup
Easy Coconut Cream Pie Recipe Paula Deen 
Qdoba Chicken Recipe: Copycat
Ultimate Death By Chocolate Ice Cream 

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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