Peanut butter on toast provides protein and healthy unsaturated fat.

Image Credit: Amarita/iStock/Getty Images Peanut butter spread over a slice of toast makes a healthy start to your day or a light lunch. The calories are low enough to work into your daily goals without ruining your diet. Plus peanut butter and whole-grain toast are packed with protein, fiber and nutrients.

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Calories in Toast

As long as you don’t choose a higher-calorie bread, such as potato bread, most types of bread have about the same calories. One slice of toasted whole-wheat bread has 76 calories, while a slice of toasted white bread contains 79 calories. Whole-grain bread is the healthier choice because it has three times more fiber.

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Peanut Butter

Most types of peanut butter – chunky, smooth, reduced fat or fortified – all contain about 188 calories in a 2-tablespoon serving. However, omega-3-enriched peanut butter has 195 calories in the same portion. Reduced-fat varieties often have more carbohydrates, which replaces the calories lost from fat.

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Health Benefits

You’ll get about 267 calories from one slice of toast with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. This is a little high for a snack, according to MedlinePlus, but makes a good basis for breakfast or lunch. You’ll get quality protein, vitamins E and B-6, and the fat in peanut butter consists mostly of healthy unsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol.

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  references
  
      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, Whole Wheat, Commercially Prepared, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, White, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, Reduced Fat
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Chunk Style, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter With Omega-3, Creamy
    
      MedlinePlus: Snacks for Adults
    
      Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good
       




  references
  
      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, Whole Wheat, Commercially Prepared, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, White, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, Reduced Fat
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Chunk Style, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter With Omega-3, Creamy
    
      MedlinePlus: Snacks for Adults
    
      Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good
    




Peanut butter on toast provides protein and healthy unsaturated fat.

Image Credit: Amarita/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: Amarita/iStock/Getty Images

      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, Whole Wheat, Commercially Prepared, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Bread, White, Toasted
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, Reduced Fat
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Chunk Style, With Salt
    
      USDA Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter With Omega-3, Creamy
    
      MedlinePlus: Snacks for Adults
    
      Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good