Celery and Peanut Butter: Nutrition, Benefits, Downsides (2024)

Celery with peanut butter is a simple and quick-to-make snack that can help fight hunger between meals.

Its low carb content makes it a popular option for people who wish to lose weight, follow a ketogenic diet, or want to limit the number of carbs they eat each day.

Interestingly, this snack also seems to top people’s list of the best snacks to have right before bedtime.

In this article, we review whether celery with peanut butter is a healthy snack, whether it’s suitable for specialty diets like the keto diet, whether it can help you lose weight, and how it may help you get a better night’s sleep.

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Celery and peanut butter are two minimally processed, nutrient-rich foods. As a result, combining the two results in a snack that’s rich in fiber and protein. It’s also a good source of niacin, manganese, copper, magnesium, and heart-healthy fats (1, 2).

You can expect a small, 5-inch (13-cm) long celery stalk topped with a tablespoon (16 grams) of 100% natural peanut butter to provide you with the following (1, 2):

  • Calories: 96
  • Carbs: 4 grams
  • Fiber: 1.6 grams
  • Fat: 8 grams
  • Protein: 4 grams
  • Niacin: 15% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Manganese: 13% of the DV
  • Copper: 11% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 7% of the DV
  • Vitamin B6: 6% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 5% of the DV
  • Zinc: 5% of the DV
  • Vitamin E: 5% of the DV
  • Folate: 5% of the DV
  • Vitamin K: 4% of the DV

Its low carb content makes this snack appropriate for low carb diets, and its moderate protein content and high fat content make it particularly suitable for a ketogenic diet (3, 4).

A keto diet is a low carb, high fat diet often used to treat epilepsy. It also appears effective for weight loss for some people and may help prevent or improve diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and possibly even some types of cancer (4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

It’s worth mentioning that a keto diet isn’t suitable for everyone. The diet may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, constipation, and fatigue. It may also result in nutrient deficiencies or issues with the liver or kidneys in the longer term (4).

Finally, both peanut butter and celery are rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that help protect you from disease-causing cell damage (9, 10).

SUMMARY

Celery with peanut butter is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Its low carb content and high fat content makes it an appropriate snack for people following a keto diet.

Celery with peanut butter is rich in fiber, protein, and fat — three nutrients that help fight hunger and increase feelings of fullness. As a result, having this snack as part of a balanced diet may help you lose weight (11, 12).

Despite peanut butter being rich in calories and fat, research suggests that including peanuts in your diet doesn’t appear to cause weight gain (9).

Furthermore, peanut butter appears more likely to help you feel full than a carb-heavy snack containing the same number of calories. So in certain cases, it may even help with weight loss (9).

On the other hand, celery is low in calories, yet rich in water. Therefore, its low energy density may also help with weight loss and prevent weight regain (13, 14, 15, 16).

That said, it’s important to remember that weight loss typically results from burning more calories than you are taking in (17).

So if your calorie intake exceeds your calorie output, you are unlikely to lose weight, no matter the quantity of celery with peanut butter you’re eating.

SUMMARY

Celery with peanut butter may help fight hunger and promote fulllness. This may make weight loss more achievable, but only if the rest of your diet and lifestyle choices also allow for it.

Peanut butter contains a good amount of tryptophan, an amino acid shown to enhance the quality of your sleep (1, 18, 19).

Although studies haven’t specifically examined peanut butter’s effects on sleep, they have linked tryptophan-rich foods, like peanut butter, to improved sleep (20, 21).

Your body requires tryptophan to make melatonin and serotonin, two hormones that are crucial for high quality sleep (19, 22).

In addition, peanut butter’s fat and protein content, coupled with the fiber found in celery, make it a particularly satiating snack (9).

This can be particularly helpful if hunger pangs cause you to wake up in the middle of the night, or if your level of hunger at bedtime is keeping you from easily falling asleep.

Just keep in mind that celery is also quite rich in water. As a result, eating too much of it before bedtime may increase your need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, potentially disrupting your sleep.

SUMMARY

Celery and peanut butter can be a good bedtime snack. It’s particularly satiating and offers a good source of tryptophan, which may help increase the quality of your sleep.

Celery with peanut butter is a nutrient-rich, minimally processed snack that can find its place within a healthy, balanced diet.

Its low carb, high fat nature makes it a particularly suitable snack for those following a keto diet. Plus, it helps you feel full and satisfied, which can naturally help you limit the number of calories you eat if you’re trying to lose weight.

Due to its tryptophan content, this snack may also help improve the quality of your sleep. However, its water content may cause some people to wake up and use the bathroom during the night. If this happens to you, try eating it during the day rather than before bedtime.

Just one thing

Try this today: Celery with peanut butter is a versatile snack that can be sweet or savory, depending on the toppings you choose to add to it. Try a sprinkle of grated coconut, a dash of ground flaxseeds, or, for a slightly sweeter option, some dried cranberries.

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Celery and Peanut Butter: Nutrition, Benefits, Downsides (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is celery and peanut butter? ›

Celery with peanut butter is a nutrient-rich snack. Celery and peanut butter are two minimally processed, nutrient-rich foods. As a result, combining the two results in a snack that's rich in fiber and protein. It's also a good source of niacin, manganese, copper, magnesium, and heart-healthy fats ( 1 , 2 ).

What are the pros and cons of eating celery? ›

You can make it part of a healthy diet. It's also easy to find in the grocery store, inexpensive, and contains several vital nutrients. Cons. Celery root is high in fiber, which can sometimes be tough on your stomach and cause gas.

What are the positive and negative effects of peanut butter? ›

It is rich in several nutrients, including protein and magnesium, which may help protect the heart and manage blood sugar and body weight. However, eating too much peanut butter can increase a person's daily intake of saturated fat, sodium, and calories.

What happens to your body when you eat celery everyday? ›

It is rich in fiber and nutrients and helps lower cholesterol, treats constipation, reduces stress hormone levels, fights inflammation and provides many other benefits. Celery provides many health benefits and nutrients that promote overall health in numerous ways. Celery is a negative-calorie food.

How healthy or unhealthy is peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter is a nutrient-rich food that provides healthy fats and various vitamins and minerals. It's also energy-rich, and a 2-tbsp serving has just over 7 g of protein.

Does celery and peanut butter lower blood pressure? ›

Celery is also low in sodium, making it a healthy snack option. When you need a snack, try eating celery sticks with peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats, which can also help reduce blood pressure levels.

What are the downsides of celery? ›

Some people are allergic to celery. Allergic reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis. Celery can also cause sensitivity to the sun. Pregnancy: Celery oil and celery seeds are likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy in the amounts found in medicine.

Does celery have any negative effects? ›

Celery contains phthalides which is a natural sedative and may cause drowsiness. Celery contains coumarin, which may induce calcium antagonistic properties, an effect preventing calcium from entering the heart's cells. There are some allergens present in the celery which may cause a severe allergic reaction.

Can too much celery be harmful? ›

Other risks of eating large amounts of celery include malnutrition and gastrointestinal problems, according to LiveStrong.com. Dieters should be careful not to overdo it on celery because it is so low-calorie and could lead to malnutrition. While fiber is great for you, too much can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea.

Why you shouldn't eat peanut butter every day? ›

While most of the fat in peanut butter is relatively healthy, peanuts also contain some saturated fat, which can lead to heart problems when consumed in excess over time. Peanuts are high in phosphorus, which can limit your body's absorption of other minerals like zinc and iron.

What is the negative side of peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter does not contain any trans fat, per the USDA, but it does contain some saturated fat. Saturated fats are considered "bad" fats because they may raise LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, TODAY.com previously reported.

Who should not eat peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter is a popular spread and a good source of protein. However, it can be dangerous to people are allergic to peanuts, and some brands are high in added fats and sugars.

When should you not eat celery? ›

Don't use celery if you have a bleeding disorder. Kidney problems: Don't use celery in medicinal amounts if you have kidney problems. Celery might cause inflammation.

When should you not use celery? ›

According to Eat By Date, celery has gone bad when its stalks become soft and bendable, the color becomes pale and faded, and the center of the stalk hollows out. Does It Go Bad says to toss your celery if it shows signs of mold, is mushy, or slimy. These are all signs that celery has gone bad.

What does celery do to the brain? ›

Celery. Celery contains luteolin, a flavonoid antioxidant that protects the brain from inflammation, cognitive aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and it can greatly enhance memory, learning and spatial awareness. Other sources include radicchio, peppers, parsley, artichokes, juniper berries and sage.

Does celery burn belly fat? ›

Celery is a popular vegetable that has few calories and is rich in nutrients like fiber. A lot of people drink celery juice to reduce belly fat, but there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this application.

Why you should eat celery at night? ›

Eating a few stalks of celery before bed has anti-anxiety effects and may help you get a good night's sleep. Apigenin has been found to bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, reducing brain activity and promoting a calming and relaxing effect.

How much celery should I eat a day? ›

Eating the whole food, though, is better. Celery stalk salt content is low, and you also get fiber, magnesium and potassium to help regulate your blood pressure, as well. “To get the benefit, you should eat roughly four stalks – one cup, chopped – of celery daily,” Dr. Laffin says.

What are the benefits of eating celery? ›

Celery is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie food. Two stalks of celery contain only 15 calories. Aside from its low calorie count, celery contains dietary fiber, vitamin K, and small amounts of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Although celery also contains some natural sodium, it's still considered a low-sodium food.

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