Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and the founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!
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Now that you've seen our picks for the best products, we’ll show you how to find a peanut butter you can eat by the spoonful without feeling bad about it. Make sure to check the ingredients list and pick by texture preference!
Thinking about it logically, peanut butter is just peanuts ground into paste—which shouldn’t be unhealthy. What’s unhealthy are the extra ingredients: namely sugars and hydrogenated oils. Steer clear of these.
Hydrogenation is the chemical process that turns liquid vegetable oils into solid fat. Just remember that hydrogenated oils are bad. They’re heavy in trans fats, which inflame the body and increase bad cholesterol. They’re often used in peanut butters as stabilizers.
A sure-fire way to avoid hydrogenated oils is to opt for all-natural peanut butter. Without the stabilizer, all-natural peanut butter may separate a bit—but as long as you mix up the jar and store it upside down in the fridge, it won’t give you much trouble.
The healthiest peanut butters contain just one ingredient: peanuts. The second healthiest contain two: peanuts and salt. If possible, opt for these. Here’s another word to the wise: in order for a concoction to be labeled peanut butter, it needs to be 90% peanuts. Otherwise, it’s called “peanut butter spread.” Be extra weary of spreads.
It's tempting to just grab the first peanut butter you see in the sea of jars, but take a minute to read the labels and make sure the peanut butter you're grabbing isn't full of added oils or sugars. Look at the ingredients list, and if it says anything more than peanuts (and maybe salt), then you should put it back on the shelf.
On the other hand, fat-free peanut butters are usually full of sugar. After all, fat is flavor–so after you take fat out, you have to substitute it with something else to make the PB taste good. And that something is sugar.
The confusion around fat-free products is real. In order for something fat-free to still taste good, you have to add sugar instead of fat. So it's not any healthier. Make sure you pay attention to labels and stay clear of anything claiming to be fat-free.
The bottom line is–you don’t have to switch over to one or the other because of health reasons. It’s all a matter of personal taste.
This is a 100% personal preference so go with what you love but don't be afraid to switch it up a little. I do love that chunky peanut butter has more fiber but if you're not going to eat it, don't waste your money.
Generally speaking, flavored peanut butters have extra sugar and extra calories. If you’re watching your waistline, then they're not the healthiest option. However, if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are choices with as little processed junk as possible. Just remember: the shorter the ingredients list, the healthier the peanut butter. If you can find something organic or all-natural, all the better.
Chocolate blends are great on bread and bananas—think Nutella, but healthier. Honey peanut butter has some extra sweetness. Fruits and berries add some freshness and keep the peanut butter from feeling too dry; it’s also like you’ve got your entire PB&J sandwich in a single jar.
Instead of buying flavored peanut butter, make your own! You can easily add honey on top of your peanut butter toast. My daughter loves melting chocolate chips on her toast and then adding peanut butter on top making our own chocolate peanut butter, but with less sugar.
$3.34
$10.99
One reviewer felt the product was overpriced and gritty. But, overall, most reviewers felt the slight kick of heat and the slightly crunchy texture was a unique, tasty touch.
$12.99
Sticking to a keto diet, but still want your perfect peanut butter fix? Left Coast Performance has got you covered! This peanut butter has the addition of macadamia nuts and MCT oils to help you achieve ketosis. It's also made carefully in small batches in Oregon.
Reviewers complained that the product had a very runny consistency and sometimes even stirring did not help. Many reviewers also felt the jar was too small to justify the price. Some also mentioned that it's best to add some keto sweetener to the product since it was a little lacking in flavor.
However, reviewers loved that this peanut butter was easy to spread—one reviewer said it was good in smoothies, and another recommended dipping celery sticks in it. Many more reviewers were also impressed that this product only contains one net carb, yet still tastes good.
$4.49
Reviewers liked the low carb count and said it could work for the keto diet. They also loved that the peanut butter was consistently good tasting and came in glass jars.
$13.29
Many reviewers felt it was too salty and that it didn't come mixed thoroughly. Others loved that the peanut butter was tasty and didn't have any added sugars!
$34.99
Reviewers called the peanut butter oily and runny and that the sweet jars were sweet enough to override any peanut taste. However, most reviewers loved the tastes of each nut butter and enjoyed that there was a lot of variety so that everyone in the family can choose a favorite.
$13.99
Critical reviewers felt the peanut butter was never the same consistency. Some felt it was dry and too hard, yet others said it was too oily. It's not quite as chocolatey or as sweet as expected, but it still tastes amazing! It also comes in a beautiful cylindrical cardboard slip.
$44.00
The ingredients are simple: peanuts, salt, cane sugar, and palm fruit oil. The oil was probably added as a stabilizer since these don’t separate. Palm oil is non-hydrogenated, packed with nutrients, and heart-healthy. If there are any concerns around this oil, it’s that harvesting leaves a huge carbon footprint, though HomePlate is RSPO-approved.
All the flavors are delicious: the creamy is smooth, the honey is subtly sweet, and the crunchy’s got just enough bite. Though reviewers mentioned that the peanut butter expires too fast, more loved that the product doesn't separate and the taste is great.
$24.95
It's extra creamy and has a liquid-like consistency—you can basically pour it straight out of the jar. This wasn't a hit with some reviewers, who felt it was too runny to use for packed lunches. You can use it to dip different vegetables and bake with. It also tastes great and reviewers enjoyed that its made of super simple ingredients.
$13.79
Critical reviewers said that the texture is too gritty and sweet, and the product was runny. The protein count and unique flavor combination was a hit. However, just make sure to eat in moderation.
Now that you've got your healthy peanut butter, you're probably looking to eat it by the spoonful. But once you've done that, what about considering some healthy but indulgent recipes? We've got the perfect one by Gimme Delicious for you here! And bonus: it's keto-friendly!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Peanut butter is just the tip of the iceberg for adding some flavor to your favorite dishes. Check out these other condiments that you can use to make your snacks shine!
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