Is PB2 considered a protein powder? The nutritional facts

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While PB2 is often lauded for its low-fat profile and a healthier alternative to regular peanut butter, it is a common misconception that it functions as a true protein powder. So, is PB2 considered a protein powder? The answer lies in its significantly different nutritional composition compared to dedicated protein supplements.

Quick Summary

PB2 powdered peanut butter is not a traditional protein powder due to its much lower protein concentration per serving compared to whey or plant-based isolates. While it offers a low-fat protein source, it serves better as a flavor enhancer or nutritional supplement rather than a primary protein source for muscle-building goals.

Key Points

PB2 vs. Traditional Protein Powder: PB2 is a powdered peanut butter with moderate protein content, whereas traditional protein powders are highly concentrated protein supplements.
Low-Fat Alternative: PB2 contains up to 90% less fat and 70% fewer calories than regular peanut butter, making it a healthier option for flavor.
Incomplete Protein: Unlike whey protein, standard PB2 is not a complete protein on its own, meaning it lacks one or more essential amino acids needed for muscle synthesis.
Better for Flavor than Bulking: PB2 is best used as a flavor additive for smoothies, oatmeal, or baking, rather than as a primary protein source for serious muscle-building goals.
Not a Direct Replacement: PB2 should not be considered a one-to-one replacement for protein powder, especially when high protein intake is the main goal.
Versatile Ingredient: Use PB2 to add peanut flavor to various recipes like sauces and baked goods while managing fat and calorie intake.

Many health-conscious individuals and fitness enthusiasts look for convenient and tasty ways to boost their protein intake. Powdered peanut butter products, such as PB2, have grown in popularity for their low-fat, low-calorie profile and rich peanut flavor. However, this has led to a common misunderstanding: is PB2 considered a protein powder? The simple answer is no, not in the traditional sense. While it contains protein, its function, concentration, and nutritional profile differ significantly from a dedicated protein supplement.

What Is PB2, Exactly?

PB2 is a powdered peanut butter made by pressing roasted peanuts to remove most of the natural oils. This process results in a dry powder that retains the peanut flavor but has significantly less fat and fewer calories than regular peanut butter. The resulting powder can be mixed with water or other liquids to create a peanut butter-like paste, or it can be used dry in various recipes. The ingredients for standard PB2 are minimal, usually just roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt.

The Core Difference: Protein Concentration

The fundamental distinction between PB2 and a protein powder is the concentration of protein. Protein powders, such as whey or pea protein, are manufactured specifically to provide a high dose of protein with minimal calories from fat or carbohydrates.

PB2's Protein Contribution: The original PB2 contains about 6 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving, along with 60 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. While this adds protein, it is not the primary macronutrient by calorie percentage. As one Reddit user pointed out, pure powdered peanut butter has around 45-50% of its calories from protein, much lower than a typical protein isolate.
True Protein Powder Content: In contrast, a single scoop of standard whey or plant-based protein powder typically delivers 20 to 30 grams of protein and is specifically designed for muscle synthesis and recovery. The PB2 company does offer a separate "PB2 Performance Protein Powder" product, which blends peanut protein with other sources like brown rice protein to achieve a much higher protein content (20g per serving).

PB2 and Amino Acid Profile

Another critical factor is the amino acid profile. A "complete protein" contains all nine essential amino acids necessary for the body. Whey protein is a complete protein by nature. Peanuts, on their own, are not a complete protein source, though they do provide a wide range of amino acids. This is why the PB2 Performance product uses a blend of different plant proteins to achieve a complete amino acid profile. For serious muscle building, getting a complete protein source post-workout is often recommended.

PB2 vs. Protein Powder: A Nutritional Comparison

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison of standard PB2, a typical whey protein powder, and a typical plant-based protein powder per two-tablespoon serving (approximately 13g for PB2, scoop size varies for protein powders):


Nutrient	Original PB2	Typical Whey Protein Powder	Typical Plant-Based Protein Powder
Protein	6g	~20-30g	~20-30g
Fat	1.5g	~1-3g	~2-5g
Calories	60	~110-150	~110-150
Complete Protein	No	Yes	Varies (often blended for completeness)
Primary Use	Flavor, mild protein boost	High-protein supplementation	High-protein supplementation

How to Use PB2 Effectively in a High-Protein Diet

While not a primary protein source, PB2 is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can enhance flavor and provide a modest protein boost without excess fat and calories. It's a fantastic tool for those aiming to manage weight or simply reduce their overall fat intake.

Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your diet:

Smoothies: Add a scoop to a fruit or vegetable smoothie to get a creamy, nutty flavor and a few extra grams of protein.
Oatmeal and Yogurt: Stir the powder directly into your morning oatmeal or Greek yogurt for a flavor and protein punch.
Healthy Sauces: Create a light peanut sauce for stir-fries, spring rolls, or salads by mixing PB2 with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water.
Baking: Use PB2 in baking recipes for cookies, pancakes, or muffins to add a peanut flavor with less fat than regular peanut butter.
Post-Workout Snack: Combine PB2 with a traditional protein powder for a delicious, high-protein, post-workout shake.

Conclusion: So, Is PB2 Considered a Protein Powder?

In summary, the answer to "Is PB2 considered a protein powder?" is that it is a powdered peanut product that contains protein but is not a dedicated, high-concentration protein powder. It is an excellent low-fat, low-calorie alternative for adding peanut flavor and a small amount of protein to your meals and snacks. However, if your goal is to consume a significant amount of protein for muscle building or repair, particularly post-workout, a traditional protein powder like whey or a complete plant-based blend is the more effective choice. The best approach for many is to use PB2 for flavor and lower-fat convenience while using a specialized protein powder when higher protein intake is the priority. For more information on proper nutrition for fitness, check out the resources at the International Sports Sciences Association.

ISSA: The Benefits of Eating Peanut Butter for Athletes and Bodybuilders

How to Choose the Right Protein Source

Ultimately, deciding whether to use PB2 or a specialized protein powder comes down to your specific dietary needs and fitness goals. For flavor and moderate protein, PB2 is an excellent, versatile choice. For maximum protein concentration and complete amino acid profiles necessary for intense muscle building, a traditional protein powder is the superior option.

How to Incorporate PB2 and Protein Powder Together

Many people find success by combining the two. For instance, a post-workout shake could contain a scoop of whey protein for its high complete protein content, along with a tablespoon or two of PB2 to add a delicious peanut flavor without excessive fat. This strategy maximizes both flavor and nutritional value, catering to different needs simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Original PB2 contains about 6 grams of protein per two-tablespoon serving, while a standard scoop of traditional protein powder (whey or plant-based) typically provides 20 to 30 grams.

While PB2 provides some protein, its concentration is too low to serve as a primary protein source for serious muscle building. It's better suited as a supplementary ingredient for flavor, not a replacement for a dedicated protein powder.

No, standard powdered peanut butter is not a complete protein because it lacks all nine essential amino acids. Some manufacturers, like PB2, offer separate 'Performance' lines that blend peanut protein with other sources to create a complete profile.

Yes, PB2 is significantly lower in calories. By pressing out most of the oil, PB2 contains approximately 70% fewer calories and 90% less fat than a comparable serving of regular peanut butter.

PB2 is very versatile. You can mix it into smoothies for a peanut flavor, stir it into oatmeal or yogurt, create low-fat sauces, or use it in baking recipes.

PB2 can be used for flavor in smoothies, but it won't provide the same protein boost as a dedicated protein powder. For higher protein intake, it's best to use a specialized protein powder or combine both.

PB2 is lower in calories than traditional protein powder, but the benefit for weight loss depends on your overall diet and goals. If your priority is high protein for satiety, a higher-protein powder may be more effective. PB2 is useful for cutting calories from fat while still enjoying peanut flavor.