A slice of bread covered with peanut butter.
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If you prefer Jif peanut butter, you can feel confident that it's as healthy as most other brands. The macronutrients in Jif are nearly identical to the amount in generic peanut butter reported in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database. Even though Jif has different varieties, most of them share the same nutritional profile. Just be aware: Some that sound healthy aren't always the best choice.
Control Calories by Limiting Portions
You'll get the same amount of macronutrients from most of the regular varieties of Jif peanut butter, such as the creamy, crunchy and natural types. The first two ingredients in the regular varieties are peanuts and sugar, followed by 2 percent or less of molasses, fully hydrogenated vegetable oil, sugar and emulsifiers. These Jif varieties have 190 calories, 8 grams of total carbohydrates and 3 grams of sugar in a 2-tablespoon serving. One exception -- Simply Jiff -- consists primarily of peanuts and has sugar listed with the minor ingredients. It has 180 calories, 7 grams of carbs and 2 grams of sugar per serving.
Boost of Protein
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends peanut butter sandwiches on its list of healthy snacks to help repair and rebuild muscles after endurance activities. But you don't have to be an athlete to benefit from the protein in Jif peanut butter products. A 2-tablespoon serving contains 7 grams of protein. This amount provides 15 percent of women's and 12.5 percent of men's recommended dietary allowance.
Healthy Fats for Heart Health
The different types of regular Jif peanut butter contain 16 grams of total fat in a 2-tablespoon serving. You won't get any cholesterol, and at least 80 percent of the total fat consists of unsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol. Peanut butter doesn't naturally contain the omega-3 fatty acids commonly called fish oil: eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Jif produces a special omega-3 peanut butter by fortifying it with anchovy and sardine oil. It has the same amount of total and unsaturated fats as other varieties.
Antioxidant Vitamin E, But Sodium Too
Some Jif products are fortified with vitamin C, but most contain the same nutrients. They're all good sources of vitamin E and niacin and provide smaller amounts of iron and riboflavin. Check the label for sodium content, because it varies. Jif creamy peanut butter has 140 milligrams per serving, or about 9 percent of your recommended daily intake. Simply Jif only has 65 milligrams of sodium, while its natural peanut butter has 80 milligrams.
Reduced Fat and Other Varieties
Jif's reduced fat peanut butter eliminates 4 grams of fat, but it has nearly double the amount of carbohydrates. As a result, the total calories stay the same. You'll also get significantly more sodium: 220 milligrams in a 2-tablespoon serving. If you buy peanut butter with honey, chocolate or other flavors, you'll get more carbs and double the sugar as in the regular varieties. Jiff also has a line of whipped peanut butter. They have fewer calories but also less protein and nutrients and diverse amounts of sugar and carbs.
FAQs
Healthy Fats for Heart Health
Is jif peanut butter safe to eat now? ›
Key Takeaways. Jif peanut butter is once again safe to eat. The CDC and FDA have declared the end of a Jif peanut butter salmonella outbreak, which previously caused the company to recall 49 products this June.
How healthy is jif peanut butter? ›
Is Jif or Skippy peanut butter healthy? Jif and Skippy peanut butter can both fit into a balanced diet. Like other brands, these peanut butters are a good source of protein, fat, and fiber. However, when possible, it's best to opt for peanut butter varieties that contain fewer ingredients and are free of added sugar.
What brand of peanut butter is the healthiest? ›
Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter came up the most when we asked dietitians for the best peanut butter, particularly because it's economical and meets the dietitians' requirements of being made of just two ingredients: peanuts and salt. This is one of the best mainstream peanut butter brands on the market.
Which peanut butter is healthier, jif or skippy? ›
Jif also uses mono and diglycerides in its recipe as an emulsifier, which extends the product's shelf life. While they are nutritionally similar, Skippy contains 10 more milligrams of sodium than Jif and one more gram of sugar, and has fewer nutrients overall.
How do I know if my Jif is safe? ›
How to check if your peanut butter has been recalled
- Check if you have Jif peanut butter in your home.
- Find the lot code on the back of the jar, under the "Best If Used By Date." The code may be next to the "Best If Used By Date" for cups or squeeze pouches.
- Once you find the code, look at the first four digits.
It is OK to eat peanut butter every day, but in moderation. Do not eat more than 2 tablespoons, approximately 32 grams, a day. This protein-packed spread is made by blending roasted peanuts into a thick paste and contains various nutrients that promote good health.
Is Jif peanut butter anti-inflammatory? ›
Are peanuts inflammatory? The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the body is a mechanism thought to be at the center of the majority of chronic diseases.
Is Jif peanut butter good for blood pressure? ›
One of the main fats in peanut butter is oleic acid. When substituted for other fats in your diet, oleic acid helps maintain good cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Managing these levels in your body can lower the risk of heart disease. Peanut butter also contains omega-6 fatty acid.
Is Jif peanut butter full of sugar? ›
Regular Jif Peanut Butter contains 3g total sugar per serving. For the most current information regarding a particular product, please refer to the product package. Roasted Peanuts, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (rapeseed And Soybean), Mono And Diglycerides, Molasses, Sugar, Salt.
1. Jif Creamy Peanut Butter. For many years we were told that “choosy moms choose Jif,” until the brand decided to get a little more PC and take the “choosy” out of the equation. But in going through the reviews used for our list, it's very clear that peanut butter lovers choose Jif.
What is America's best selling peanut butter? ›
Jif was the leading peanut butter brand in the United States in 2017 by a wide margin.
Which peanut butter is best for heart? ›
For heart health, unsalted peanut butter is ideal since they have no added sodium. Too much sodium in the diet can raise blood pressure. Unsalted natural peanut butter from brands like Peanut Butter & Co. and Crazy Richard's are perfect choices.
Which peanut butter is better, Peter Pan or Jif? ›
And according to both Insider and Thrillist, Jif transcends Peter Pan. Jif has molasses added to it, so it tends to be sweeter than Peter Pan. Jif is also a lot smoother and spreadable than Peter Pan, which was deemed too thick, while lacking a deep roasted peanut flavor.
Is Peter Pan peanut butter healthy? ›
Peter Pan Creamy Original Peanut Butter
Not only is hydrogenated oil made from GMO crops but it can also negatively impact your cholesterol levels if consumed in large amounts. Generally speaking, this brand of peanut butter is one of the worst when it comes to your health.
How do I know if my peanut butter has Salmonella? ›
Jif brand peanut butter
You can identify recalled products by their lot code. If the first four numbers are 1274 through 2140 and the next three numbers are 425, the product has been recalled.
What are the recall numbers for Jif to go? ›
FDA recommends that if you have used the recalled Jif brand peanut butter that have lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425 and the first seven digits end with 425, you should wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched the peanut butter.
Which peanut butter was recalled in 2024? ›
(Cape Town, 3 February 2024) Pick n Pay is recalling No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter, which are sold throughout the country. All stocks of these products have already been removed from all stores countrywide.
How long did the Jif recall last? ›
The Food and Drug Administration sent its warning letter eight months after inspecting the Jif peanut butter plant in Lexington, KY. That inspection, which ran from May 19 through June 9, 2022, resulted in a recall on May 20, 2022, of all peanut butter manufactured at the facility from Oct. 1, 2021, to May 20, 2022.
