A pantry must-have is peanut butter. This “nut” butter is a cheap plant-based protein source that is highly versatile and nutritious, packed with protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. Just take a look at how varied the peanut butter section is growing. If you’re open to trying out various seed butters, the selection is much more varied. The fact that peanut butter walks a thin line between being a healthy food and being high in fat makes picking the proper brand even more difficult. How different are most traditional no-stir peanut butters from their unsweetened counterparts because they have 1 gram of added sugar? This article consists of 15+ professional picks for healthy peanut butter brands that you might want to add to your shopping list if you’re seeking a more nutritious option. It also comes with a list of peanut butter brands safe for dogs.
Best Peanut Butter Brands
Getting the best and most healthy peanut butter brand is the best thing to do as a peanut butter consumer. Here is a list of the best peanut butter brands you can go for:
#1. Crazy Richard’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
TODAY Food asked a lot of dietitians and chefs what their favorite peanut butter was, and Crazy Richard’s came out on top. Crazy Richard’s includes 190 calories, 8 grams of protein, 16 grams of fat, and 2 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving, which is the typical amount of sugar for peanut butter that only contains naturally occurring sugars. Most regular peanut butter, on the other hand, has an extra gram of sugar. This is due to the fact that they also contain a small amount of added sugar for sweetness and palm oil, which prevents the peanut oil from rising to the top of the jar (and makes them easier to bake with).
#2. PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter
Chef Karla Williams, head chef at Hilton Head Health’s True Restaurant, says powdered peanut butter is a great substitute since it provides all the flavor without the unnecessary fat and calories. Williams revealed to TODAY that she frequently substitutes PB2 for the remaining quantity of peanut butter in her recipes. Each serving only contains 50 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. The majority of peanut butter includes 16 grams of fat and 190 calories per serving. Roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt are the only three ingredients in PB2 powdered peanut butter.
#3. Teddie Natural Peanut Butter
Kim Murachver MS, RD keeps with a company that has been in business since 1925 for her preferred spread. Only salt and peanuts are used in Teddie’s natural spreads, a family-run business with headquarters in Everett, Massachusetts. Murachver told TODAY, “It’s very chunky and has a great texture and crunch.” She advised keeping it in the refrigerator upside down to enable the peanut butter naturally solidify and making it simpler to stir as it doesn’t contain any additional hardening oils. According to Murachver, a 2-tablespoon portion includes 190 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 16 grams of fat, the majority of which is unsaturated.
#4. 365 Everyday Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Kim Murachver MS, RD keeps with a company that has been in business since 1925 for her preferred spread. Only salt and peanuts are used in Teddie’s natural spreads, a family-run firm with headquarters in Everett, Massachusetts. Murachver told TODAY, “It’s quite substantial and has a terrific texture and crunch.” She advised keeping it in the refrigerator upside down to enable the peanut butter naturally solidify and making it simpler to stir as it doesn’t contain any additional hardening oils. According to Murachver, a 2-tablespoon portion includes 190 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 16 grams of fat, the majority of which is unsaturated.
#5. MaraNatha Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Although this brand has a low salt content, we appreciate it more since it has the smoothest texture without the need for additional oils (due to a special double-grinding process).
#6. Once Again Organic Creamy No Salt Peanut Butter
Despite the two grams of sugar in this jar, Once Again’s peanut butter contains only natural sweetness; this is why we like it. There is essentially nothing added to this jar. not even salt. As a result, folks who want to limit their salt intake or who want to use peanut butter in their cooking may choose this low-sodium peanut butter choice. If you enjoy salt, One Again also offers salted and subtly sweetened varieties.
#7. Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter
According to Marie Spano, MS, RD, “Smucker’s has a deeper, richer flavor than other peanut butter.” Spreads that are crunchy or creamy are acceptable as long as they just contain salt and peanuts, according to Spano. Due to the type of peanuts used, she believes Smucker’s may have the best flavor. (It’s important to note that Jif is also owned by The J.M. Smucker Company.) Per 2-tablespoon serving, Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter has 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 2 grams of sugar.
#8. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter
This well-known brand is similar to Jif, but it has one less gram of fiber, more sodium, and no molasses. Preservatives, artificial tastes, and artificial colors are absent from the whole line of natural spreads from Skippy. This peanut butter is trans fat and cholesterol free, just like the majority of them.
Terryl Gavre, the owner of Cafe 222, a popular breakfast place in San Diego, defends a tradition she learned as a child. “The typical flavor that consumers love and expect is embodied by Skippy.” They finally find it comfortable since it is familiar and brings back memories from their youth, according to Gavre, whose peanut butter and banana French toast was showcased on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” ” She doesn’t care that it isn’t organic or that each serving has 3 grams of sugar. The restaurateur claimed that the taste and texture more than made up for that. 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, and 7 grams of protein are found in one serving of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter.
#9. Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
According to Liz Josefsberg, a N.A.S.M. Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Exercise Specialist, portion management is too difficult for her clients who are trying to lose weight, so she won’t let them purchase peanut butter in jars. Buy single-serving packages to keep your calorie intake in check. “Just a lick of the spoon might add a hundred more calories,” she said. Justin’s was suggested by Josefsberg, who is most known for working with actress Jennifer Hudson to lose weight, because it only comprises peanuts and oil. For peanut butter to be healthy, sugar shouldn’t be included on the label. About 1.15 ounces of Justin’s squeeze packs contain 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 2 grams of sugar.
#10. NuttZo Peanut Pro Smooth
If you eat a wider range of foods, your body will get more of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work at its best. Choosing this nut butter from NuttZo, which has a blend of seven nuts and seeds, including selenium-rich Brazil nuts and fiber-rich flaxseeds, is one of the simplest methods to achieve that.
#11. Santa Cruz Organic Creamy Peanut Butter, Dark Roasted
Choose a jar of Santa Cruz’s dark-roasted Spanish peanut butter for your peanut butter if you prefer a heartier, richer, roaster flavor.
#12. Noomi Peanut Butter
Yes, there is healthy peanut butter that has been sweetened. It is produced with the finest ingredients, including dates in place of sugar, organic peanuts, sea salt, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil. No refined sugar or hydrogenated oils, please!”
#13. Jif Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
In order to fuel endurance athletes, Kyle Kamp, R.D., the proprietor of Valley to Peak Nutrition, has made a career out of it. “Jif is my go-to brand of peanut butter for both myself and my clients,” Kamp told TODAY. Even though it has one more gram of sugar per serving than most natural peanut butter, it is still very tasty and only has four calories. The ingredient list for Jif is a little bit longer than the other items on this list. It contains completely hydrogenated vegetable oils (rapeseed and soybean), mono and diglycerides, salt, sugar, and no more than 2% molasses. 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 3 grams of sugar are contained in a 2-tablespoon serving.
#14. Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter from Unblanched Peanuts is a favorite of Summer Yule, MS, RDN. The self-proclaimed foodie told TODAY, “It’s my favorite because it has the right consistency for dripping. “Additionally, it just contains salt and peanuts. The skins are left on as the peanuts are dry-roasted and crushed.” According to Yule, unblanched peanuts significantly improve the flavor of the final product. 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 1 gram of sugar are present in a 2-tablespoon serving.
#15. Smart Balance Rich Roast Chunky Peanut 5tButter
In order to meet her daily protein requirements, Nicole Short, MS, RDN, consume peanut butter. She revealed on TODAY that Smart Balance is her favorite brand and that she thinks it’s a fantastic source of healthy fats. Short says that omega-3 ALA is good for the brain and even helps keep blood sugar levels normal. The absence of trans fat, which is known to raise cholesterol levels, is another benefit of this peanut butter. Rich Roasted Chunky Peanut Butter with Flaxseed Oil from Smart Balance offers 190 calories, 15 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 3 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving.
Healthy Peanut Butter Brands
Looking out for healthy peanut butter brands is very important as a peanut butter consumer. You need to get one to stay healthy. So, therefore, we’ve done some research to compile a list of healthy peanut butter brands just for you to choose from and shop wisely. Here are the healthy peanut butter brands you can go for:
#1. Crazy Richard’s All-natural Crunchy Peanut Butter
Wow, where do we even start? A one-ingredient label is the cleanest there is, to begin with. Second, this option is cholesterol- and BPA-free, vegan, non-GMO, sugar, oil, and salt-free. Each jar of natural nut butter has 540 different kinds of raw peanuts that were all grown, processed, and made in the United States. To make it simpler to spread, simply whisk the oil and peanut crunch together.
#2. 365 By Whole Foods Market Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
In terms of nutrients, it is almost equal to Crazy Richard’s, although it is far less expensive (and perhaps more accessible, if you live near a Whole Foods Market location). This organic, non-GMO PB is prepared with peanuts cultivated in the United States, is vegan, and is devoid of added sugar and salt. (BTW, despite the fact that you may believe all peanut butter to be vegan, ones that contain non-organic white sugar *technically* aren’t; just ask ketchup.) The natural oils from the peanuts will separate from the solids, just like they do in most natural peanut butter, especially those without oils or emulsifiers. However, some Amazon reviewers assert that this specific one is easier to stir than other types.
#3. Rx Nut Butter Peanut Butter
Some peanut butter is naturally sweetened with dates, but this one stands out because it also has egg white added for extra protein. Like most peanut butter, it is non-GMO, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and free of added sugar. Use it to make a peanut sauce for soba noodles or to add more protein and fiber to oatmeal by drizzling it on top.
#4. Thrive Market Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
The idea behind this squeezable pouch is fantastic. Just as easy as slurping it directly from the pouch (come on, it’s like eating it from the jar without the spoon), you can spread it over toast, stir it into a smoothie bowl, or squeeze it onto slices of apple. Just be sure to mix the oil and solids in the bag before enjoying. The PB from Thrive Market is gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and free of preservatives, added sugars, and sweeteners.
#5. Spread The Love Naked Organic Peanut Butter
This California company takes pride in its vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, all-natural, small-batch, preservative-free, and salt-free peanut butter. Because the PB is made in tiny amounts, the firm can also avoid pointless food processing and stabilizers. Although this peanut butter is a bit of a splurge, it is well worth it because Spread the Love is family-owned and frequently collaborates with organizations.
#6. Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
This company is well-known and adored for its well-known Concord grape jelly. What could be a better complement to it than this natural peanut butter with a good nutrition profile and a clean ingredient list? Additionally, it is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and free of hydrogenated oils. We won’t tell if you serve it with fruit, spread it on a sandwich, or just eat it straight out of the jar.
#7. Pb2 Original Powdered Peanut Butter
For smoothies, yogurt, soups, and sauces, Stoler favors powdered peanut butter over the spreadable variety. Since it’s not as thick and sticky as peanut butter, it works well for blending or shaking (you won’t need to scrape the blades and blender clean every few seconds to produce your smoothie or protein shake). Not only is PB2’s powder non-GMO and gluten-free, but each two-tablespoon serving has 90 percent fewer calories and a lot less fat than most other peanut butter brands.
Peanut Butter Brands Safe for Dogs
Peanut butter is adored by dogs. The holy grail of dog treats, pill hides, and Kong toy stuffing is peanut butter. Most dogs are in heaven, licking away until there is nothing left after placing those babies in the freezer to extend their shelf life.
However, not every type of peanut butter is the same. As a dog owner, it’s crucial that you purchase the proper peanut butter brands safe for dogs to consume.
#1. 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter
Whole Foods’ 365 varieties are our top pick for the best smooth peanut butter for dogs. Because it just contains peanuts, 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter is one of the safest options.
There are no additional salt, sugar, additives, or unpronounceable ingredients. Just pure, natural, creamy peanut butter. 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter is the purest on the market. The best part is how good it tastes.
Know that 365 Everyday Value makes a number of peanut butter that look pretty much the same. But a lot of these include sugar and oils. It’s easy to mix up the jars when purchasing a bottle from your neighborhood Whole Foods, so be sure to verify the ingredients.
This smooth peanut butter’s thick viscosity made it ideal for lick mats and Kong toys since it would clump together without spilling over the ground.
It is clear why 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter is, in our opinion, one of the finest peanut butter brands safe for dogs. For the price, you won’t find tastier, healthier peanut butter. Highly suggested for your dog.
#2. Poochie Butter
I would also suggest Poochie Peanut Butter, a brand of peanut butter made exclusively for dogs. This kind of peanut butter has natural ingredients that are good for your health, such as turmeric, flaxseed, parsley, and ginger.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the peanut butter treats you give your dog could make him healthier? That is, after all, the concept behind Poochie Butter, a peanut butter made specifically for dogs. Six organic ingredients in Poochie Butter may be beneficial to your dog’s health.
Coconut oil and turmeric, among other ingredients, may both have anti-inflammatory qualities that support healthy skin and fur.
I should point out that this peanut butter is a little bit runnier than our other suggestions, especially if you reside somewhere warm.
The peanut butter was much simpler to spread as a result, but there was a cost. It wasn’t appropriate to use it to stuff dog toys.
#3. Teddie Super Chunky Peanut Butter
Maybe you prefer the crunch of chunky peanut butter and want to give your dog the same experience. Teddie Super Chunky Peanut Butter gets you covered, no problem. This peanut butter is as natural as it is tasty and is produced in America using peanuts that were cultivated there.
The best part is that dogs can eat crunchy peanut butter without any problems. Even in little breeds like chihuahuas, the nuts shouldn’t be a choking concern because they are crushed so finely.
Teddie also produces an unsalted version, but even if you buy it from the Walmart shelf, it will cost you much more. However, if we had to choose one, it would be unsalted chunky peanut butter.
What to Look for in Peanut Butter Brands Safe for Dogs
Your best choice is natural peanut butter that doesn’t have any added sugar or sweeteners like xylitol. Make sure “no additional salt” or “unsalted” is printed on the label.
It is recommended to avoid giving your dog anything that contains preservatives, vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated, or extra sugar. Also, peanuts and salt should be the only components in dog-safe peanut butter.
It’s crucial to keep an eye out for both of these phrases in the ingredient list since xylitol, which is occasionally referred to as “birch sugar,” is a very hazardous substance.
Dangers of Xylitol/Birch Sugar
Many chewing gums, sweets, and other “sugar-free” products contain xylitol as a sugar alternative. Since xylitol is extremely hazardous to dogs, never purchase sugar-free peanut butter.
Dogs who consume xylitol-containing diets may experience: Low blood sugar, convulsions, liver failure, and death
If your dog ate something that included xylitol, you should take it to the vet right away because it can be absorbed very quickly.
What Are Some Benefits of Peanut Butter?
According to registered dietitian Elle Penner, MPH, RD, of Modern Minimalism, “peanut butter is a quick and economical source of nutritious mono- and polyunsaturated fats, plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.”
In addition to being filling, unsweetened peanut butter is a reasonably low-carbohydrate snack that has little effect on blood sugar levels. According to studies, those who consume nuts on a daily basis, especially peanut butter, have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
According to Manaker, peanut butter also offers certain special nutrients, such as selenium and choline, and is a fantastic source of biotin, the vitamin known for boosting lovely hair and strong nails.
The specific types of fat in peanut butter can benefit your health in addition to keeping you satisfied. “Monounsaturated and omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in peanut butter. These fatty acids are essential for the body’s growth and maintenance of cells, particularly those in the skin and hair, as well as for immunological function and reproduction “According to registered dietitian and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition Rachel Fine MS, RD, CSSD, CDN.
How to Choose the Best Peanut Butter
You might be confused about how to identify the best peanut butter brands when you go shopping. These are some of the things you need to check to be sure you’re picking the best peanut butter brand:
#1. Short Ingredient List
As a dietician, I prefer peanut butter with the fewest ingredients. “In my opinion, the greatest option is a peanut butter that simply contains peanuts and a small amount of salt,” says Manaker a dietician.
#2. Zero or Low Levels of Added Oils
“Oils shouldn’t be in your PB, especially totally or partially hydrogenated oils.” These are often added to products to make them last longer and keep them from separating, but Penner says that they can raise triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood, which increases the risk of heart disease.
#3. Zero or Low Added Sugar
Sugar naturally occurs in peanut butter, thus, labels frequently list 1-2 grams of sugar even though it isn’t stated in the ingredients. You should keep an eye out for added sugar. Penner says to stay away from added sugars like molasses, maltodextrin, corn syrup, and so on if you want to avoid empty calories. While it’s preferable to limit your intake of added sugar, Mikka Knapp, RDN, CLT, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Bright BodyNutrition, says that a small amount in your peanut butter is acceptable: “Many manufacturers sweeten their products with added sugar. I do look for brands with the least added sugar, however, it’s not a deal-breaker for me. I limit the amount of added sugar to 2 grams per serving. Jelly provides us with more than enough sugar.
#4. No Emulsifiers
“Most of the time, emulsifiers are added to peanut butter to give it body and texture and keep it from separating,” Penner says that emulsifiers could hurt the microbiome and cause low-level inflammation in the gut.
#5. Skip the Low-Fat or Reduced-Fat Versions
“Some peanut butter products with lower fat content have higher sugar content to make up for the flavor that is lost when the fat is eliminated.” The fat in peanut butter is a beneficial addition to one’s diet, and consuming excessive amounts of sugar is also not a good idea. Manaker states, “I do not select reduced-fat peanut butter.”
How to Store Natural Peanut Butter Brands
Standard peanut butter brands will keep for two to three months once opened or six to nine months when closed in a cool, dark pantry. Its shelf life is extended by refrigeration, however, the cold obviously reduces its spreadability.
Since natural peanut butter is unprocessed and includes only ground peanuts, occasionally salt, and no hydrogenated oils to make it particularly smooth, it is even less spreadable when cold. Natural peanut butter can last up to a month on a cold, dark shelf, despite the fact that many manufacturers suggest refrigeration after opening. (PS: Storing natural peanut butter upside-down in the cupboard will assist in the oil being distributed more evenly rather than pooling at the top.)
You may leave the jar at room temperature if you plan to finish it off within a month. Keep it in the fridge for up to six months if it takes you longer to finish it, to prevent the oils from going bad. Just make sure to whisk the separated oil back into the peanut butter after each usage because doing so becomes more difficult if the PB has gotten cold and hard.
What Brand of Peanut Butter Is Most Healthy?
When we asked dietitians for their recommendations for the best peanut butter, including Fine and Gregg, Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter came up most frequently. This is probably because it is cheap and only has two ingredients: peanuts and salt, which is what dietitians say it should have.
What Ingredients Should be Added to Healthy Peanut Butter Brands?
Just be sure to pick a nut butter free of artificial additives, trans fats, partially hydrogenated oils, and added sugar. “Peanuts” or “almonds” should be the only ingredients listed on the label (and maybe a pinch of salt). Moderation is vital with meals of any kind.
What Are the 3 Types of Peanut Butter?
Three types of peanut butter natural or organic, creamy or smooth, and chunky or crunchy dominate the grocery store shelves.
Is It Good to Eat Peanut Butter Everyday?
Although it contains many different nutrients, peanut butter is also high in calories and fat. Even though the healthy fats in peanut butter are good for you, you shouldn’t eat too much of them to avoid overeating and serious health problems.
What Ingredients Are In Healthy Peanut Butter Brands?
It should come as no surprise that peanuts are listed as the first ingredient on the label. According to Stoler, “some businesses produce peanut butter fresh on the premises [by grinding] peanuts into nut butter or paste.” “Salt and other spices may occasionally be added. To produce a smoother texture, extra oil may occasionally be added.
Some peanut butter is naturally sweetened with sugar, molasses, or honey, which makes the finished product have more sugar. Stoler would still not classify those naturally sweetened peanut butter as unhealthy if that weren’t a concern for you. If you happen to find any peanut butter at the store, she recommends avoiding it because it is sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Is Peanut Butter Healthy or Junk Food?
So, ordinary and natural, peanut butter can be safely excluded from the junk food group. Peanut butter contains a good amount of minerals and is a good source of protein. It also has a ton of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, yet these nutrients don’t appear as important when compared to the large calorie content. It is acceptable to include little amounts of peanut butter in a balanced diet.
Is There Unhealthy Peanut Butter?
Although not all peanut butter is created equal, peanut butter can be a nutritious complement to a meal or snack. Some contain unhealthy hydrogenated oils and trans fats.
Conclusion
A healthy diet can easily include peanut butter as long as the ingredient list is clear. With the above-mentioned peanut butter brands, I believe you should be able to select one.
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