Peanut Butter and Jelly?

Question

Is pb&j a good lunch? is it healthy? i know peanut butter has 190 calories. why is that? is Jelly good for you?

Answer 1

Let's consider a traditional PB and J made with two slices of white bread, two tablespoons of peanut butter, and two tablespoons of grape jelly. By reading label information from popular brands of each ingredient, you can figure out the following:

Total Fat: 18 grams
Saturated Fat: 3.5 grams
Sodium: 490 mg
Carbohydrates: 58 grams
Protein: 12 grams
Total Calories: 403
For a child who would consume about 2000 calories per day, these are some recommended amounts of these nutrients, similar to the Daily Values found on the US FDA's food labels:

Fat: 66 grams
Saturated Fat: 20 grams
Sodium: 2500 mg
Carbohydrates: 350 grams
Protein: 53 grams

What This Means
Following these guidelines, a typical peanut butter and jelly sandwich would supply 27% of a day's fat, 17.5% of a day's saturated fat, 20% of a day's sodium, 16.5% of a day's carbohydrates, and 22.5% of a day's protein, and 20% of day's calories. That is a lot of saturated fat for an afternoon snack and only about one gram of fiber.
Healthier PB and J Alternative
First, start with one slice of whole grain bread with 70 calories, 12 grams carbs, 1 gram fat, and 1 gram of protein. Add one tablespoon of strawberry spread (without sugar, just fruit and juice) for 10 grams of carbs and 40 calories. Finish the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter that has 8 grams of fat, 3 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams of protein, and 100 calories. Now you have 210 calories with the smaller sandwich, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 9 grams of fat, and 7 grams of protein. This would be better fit for the FDA daily values, but maybe still a bit low on protein. The whole grains have more vitamins than white bread, and would also slow down the effect of the carbohydrates on the blood sugar. The whole grains along with the lower sugar content of the fruit spread make this a healthier version of our favorite, the PB and J.

Answer 2

Well from my experience PB&J is a highly valued any time snack for both young and old.With a glass of milk ,a few apple slices and some Funions on the side,you have yourself a lunch .Also I hav'nt met a child yet that does'nt enjoy a peanut butter and banana sandwich.Same as PB&J take away the jelly and add sliced banana.

Answer 3

Peanut butter is good for you because it has a lot of good oils in it. However, jelly is filled with sugars and has very little nutritional value. A sandwhich with peanut butter and whole wheat (not white) bread is a pretty good lunch.

Answer 4

try a Peanut Butter & Marshmellow Fluffs sandwich (during a winter afternoon) and drink it down with Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa. It is sooo YUMMY! much better than Peanut Butter & Jelly.

Answer 5

With PB&J, you hit the nutritional groups (grains, protein and fruit).

For a better tasting sandwich make peanut butter and bacon. You will be so full, you won't eat for the rest of the day.

Answer 6

mmmmmmm....p-b-and jelly very classic combo. jelly and peanut butter are great snacks. very healthy. jelly is just fruit and a little bit of sugar to thicken. peanutbutter has alot of peanut oil in it, thats probably why its 190. but peanut oil is good for you. add banannas, raisins, unsalted peanuts and you've got yourself a gourmet pb and j.

Answer 7

peannut butter and jelly sandwitches CAN be a good lunch...although jelly is not that healthy eat on wheat bread and i say it evens(although it doesnt) it is pretty fillling if u get an even balance of the ingrediants and can be a considerably good food choice for a snack or for a quik lunch

Answer 8

WHATEVER you put in your body should always be as natural as you can get it. If you dont understand the ingrediants, its bad for you,..therefore if you have natural or organic peanut butter and eat it with natural jelly with as little sugar in it as possible, i dont think its bad for you. there are so many alternatives to processed sugar that actuly taste great! sometimes i use little bit of honey, or pure maple syrup. even raw fruit. its awesome....

Answer 9

I got to admit I've never had one but peanut butter and honey is really yummy.

Answer 10

lol, alwayscurious...I see you watch Family Guy, too...love it!

I have a jones for PB & J everyday...I eat it every day, love it!

The jam has no value but the pb is good for you if you get the right kind!