Peanut butter is popular pantry staple in many homes, and many people with CKD are confused as to whether or not peanut butter is good for kidney disease, if peanut butter is high in potassium, etc. In this article, I’m going to answer some of the most common questions about peanut butter and share my thoughts as a renal dietitian.
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Is peanut butter high in potassium?
Peanut butter is not considered a high potassium food. In fact, it typically contains less than 200 mg of potassium per serving and has a low potassium density, making it a kidney-friendly option for many people.
A standard serving of peanut butter is two tablespoons. Most brands fall in the range of 185mg to 201mg of potassium per serving. While that means some varieties technically cross the 200 mg threshold that many kidney professionals use to define a “low potassium” food, the difference is minimal—and the 200 mg cutoff can be a bit misleading on its own.
Let’s break that down with an example:
Two tablespoons of peanut butter contain about 190 calories and 184 mg of potassium. If you ate 10 servings (1,900 calories’ worth), you’d consume just 1,840 mg of potassium. That’s your entire daily calorie intake—with less potassium than a single high-potassium food like a baked potato.
Now contrast that with something commonly considered “low potassium”: apple juice.
A half-cup serving contains 151 mg of potassium and only 57 calories. To consume 1,900 calories from apple juice, you’d need to drink over 33 servings—adding up to nearly 5,000 mg of potassium in the process.
This is where the concept of potassium density becomes more useful. Potassium density is the ratio of potassium (in milligrams) to calories. Here’s how that looks:
- Peanut butter: 184 mg potassium ÷ 190 calories = ~1.0
- Apple juice: 151 mg potassium ÷ 57 calories = ~2.6
The higher the potassium density, the more concentrated the potassium is in each calorie. Foods with a potassium density over 2.5–3 are more likely to significantly raise your overall intake, especially if eaten in large quantities. Foods with a density of 1 or less—like peanut butter—are considered low in potassium relative to how filling they are.
It’s also important to understand that not everyone with kidney disease needs to limit potassium. There are many reasons potassium levels may be high—many of which have nothing to do with the potassium in your food. If you have CKD and are not on dialysis, we offer a free 5 day email course on 5 Ways to Control Potassium – without avoiding high potassium foods. You can sign up below:
If your provider hasn’t told you to avoid high-potassium foods, you likely don’t need a strict potassium restriction. In fact, avoiding healthy, nutrient-rich foods out of fear can sometimes backfire.
Is peanut butter high in phosphorus?
Peanut butter is not considered a high phosphorus food—thanks in large part to the low absorption of the phosphorus it contains.
For years, peanut butter was placed firmly on the “do not eat” list for people with kidney disease. It was assumed to be too high in phosphorus, and peanuts (along with most nuts) were routinely vilified in outdated handouts and on websites that haven’t kept up with the latest research.
Fortunately, we now know better.
Peanuts are naturally high in a compound called phytate, which binds to phosphorus. Since humans don’t have the enzyme needed to break down phytate, we only absorb about 30% of the phosphorus from peanuts and peanut butter. In other words, much of the phosphorus simply passes through the digestive system unabsorbed.
Another important point in peanut butter’s favor: it almost never contains phosphorus additives. These additives are a major driver of high phosphorus levels in people with CKD, and they’re far more concerning than the naturally occurring phosphorus in whole foods.
The one notable exception? Reduced-fat peanut butter. Many reduced-fat versions contain phosphorus additives to improve texture and shelf life. Because of this, I recommend avoiding reduced-fat peanut butter—not just due to additives, but also because these versions are often higher in sodium and typically don’t taste as good either!
In fact, as a general rule, I recommend being cautious with any reduced-fat or “lite” version of foods. They’re much more likely to contain unwanted additives that can be harmful for kidney health.
How much protein is in peanut butter?
One serving of peanut butter, which is 2 tablespoons, contains 7g of protein. Peanuts are the highest protein nut, so peanut butter is my favorite nut butter to recommend for people on dialysis who have higher protein needs. However, peanut butter can also be great for people not on dialysis who have lower protein needs as long as they keep their portions under control and pair it with lower protein foods.
Is peanut butter high in sodium?
Peanut butter is considered a low sodium food. In all of my experience reading food labels, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a high sodium peanut butter.
A typical serving of peanut butter has 190 calories and only 140 mg of sodium. If a food contains less sodium than calories, it is considered a low sodium food. If you shop around and compare labels, you may find a peanut butter option that is even lower in sodium.
Is peanut butter good for diabetes?
Yes—peanut butter can be a great option for people managing both kidney disease and diabetes.
It’s low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats, which makes it a satisfying and blood sugar–friendly choice. A standard two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter typically contains:
- 8 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of fiber
- A good amount of protein and heart-healthy fats
These characteristics help minimize blood sugar spikes and promote fullness, which can be especially helpful for blood sugar control throughout the day.
What About Added Sugar?
Many peanut butter brands contain added sugar, so if you’re aiming to limit added sugar intake, I recommend looking for natural peanut butter. These versions are typically made with just peanuts and salt—though labels can be sneaky, so always double-check the ingredient list.
A Personal Note on Natural Peanut Butter
I have a little confession: I was a super picky eater growing up and refused to eat peanut butter as a kid. But when I finally gave it a try in college, I was instantly hooked. It felt like my body was trying to make up for lost time—and I couldn’t stop eating it.
To try to curb my obsession, I thought I’d switch to natural peanut butter. I figured it wouldn’t taste as good, and maybe I wouldn’t eat as much of it.
Well… that plan backfired. After about two weeks, my taste buds totally adjusted, and I found myself loving natural peanut butter just as much. So yes—if natural peanut butter tastes a little bland or “off” at first, give it time. Your taste buds will likely come around.
A Note on Peanut Butter and Jelly
If you’re making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, just keep an eye on the jelly. Many traditional jellies are loaded with added sugar, so consider choosing a reduced sugar or sugar-free version to keep the overall sugar content in check.
Is peanut butter good for kidneys?
Yes, peanut butter is an excellent food choice for people with kidney disease. Here are some of the MANY reasons that I highly recommend peanut butter:
- Peanut butter is a good source of plant based protein – just watch your portions if you are on a lower protein diet.
- Peanut butter is low in phosphorus and almost never contains phosphorus additives.
- Peanut butter is low in sodium
- Peanut butter is cheap – even store brands will be low in sodium and phosphorus!
- Peanut butter is portable – peanut butter requires no refrigeration and is shelf stable. It is a perfect food to pack on the go!
- Peanut butter is convenient – you can find peanut butter just about ANYWHERE. Grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, dollar stores, the airport – it’s everywhere! If you’re out and about and need a kidney friendly meal or snack, skip the fast food and buy yourself some peanut butter. Peanut butter and an apple or peanut butter on a kidney friendly bread such as this one from Pepperidge Farm are the perfect fast food for someone with kidney disease.
- Eating more nuts is associated with reduced mortality in people with Chronic Kidney Disease. (Source)
Peanut Butter Sandwich
- Calories: 541
- Protein: 21g
- Carbohydrate: 49g
- Fat: 27g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Phosphorus
Additives: None - Potassium: 490mg
- Calcium: 81mg
- Fiber: 11g
- Sugar: 8g
Kidney Friendly Peanut Butter You Can Buy
This is NOT an exhaustive list of all the kidney friendly peanut butter you can buy since just about all peanut butter on the market is kidney friendly (except reduced fat – AVOID that!). However, I wanted to highlight some of the more portable options since not everyone wants to carry around a whole jar of peanut butter with them (I’ve definitely done this before though).
Justin’s Peanut Butter Packets
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrate: 6g
- Fat: 18g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Phosphorus
Additives: None - Potassium: 90mg
- Calcium: 0mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
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Skippy Natural Peanut Butter Squeeze Pouches
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrate: 6g
- Fat: 16g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Phosphorus
Additives: None - Potassium: 90mg
- Calcium: 0mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
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JIF Natural To Go Cups
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrate: 8g
- Fat: 15g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Phosphorus
Additives: None - Potassium: 181mg
- Calcium: 17mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
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