Peanut butter seems to have become more of a guilty pleasure in recent years, despite the fact that as a fantastic source of plant-based protein, it is really excellent in a variety of diets. Peanut butter is a pleasure for many of us, whether it’s with jelly or banana, on a morning waffle or in cookies. Regrettably, because of its high fat content and, at times, excessive sugar and sodium levels,
In this post, we’ll move away from traditional peanut butters and look at some of the healthier alternatives. We examine a variety of natural and low sodium peanut butters, as well as powdered peanut butters, to help you pick the finest peanut butter for your lifestyle and health requirements. We also discuss what to look for when selecting a healthy peanut butter and provide a variety of methods to utilize powdered peanut butter, the newest addition to the PB product family.
Best Selection
The PB2 powdered peanut butter bundle is our top pick for adding low fat and high protein non-GMO peanut butter to your shakes, smoothies, cakes, and pastries.
Budget Selection
The flexible and USDA organic PBfit peanut butter powder, which has 8 grams of protein per serving, is our Budget Choice.
Contents
- Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Peanut Butters
- 1. PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Bundle
- 2. PBfit Peanut Butter Powder
- 3. Jif Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter
- 4. NAKED PB Powered Peanut Butter
- 5. Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter
- 6. Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
- 7. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter
- 8. 365 Everyday Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
- 9. Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter
- 10. Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter Creamy
- Considerations When Purchasing Peanut Butter
- Conclusion
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Peanut Butters
Product Name | Grade |
---|---|
PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Bundle | A |
PBfit Peanut Butter Powder | A- |
Jif Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter | A- |
NAKED PB Powered Peanut Butter | A- |
Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter | B+ |
Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter | B+ |
Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter | A- |
365 Everyday Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter | A- |
Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter | A- |
Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter Creamy | B+ |
1. PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Bundle
Highlighted Characteristics
A 16 oz container of powdered peanut butter and a 16 oz jar of peanut powder with cocoa are included in the PB2 powdered peanut butter bundle. This flexible powder has 90% less fat than typical peanut butter and can be used to protein shakes, smoothies, spreads, and cakes, or simply sprinkled on your favorite dishes.
This powdered peanut butter is created by pressing fresh roasted peanuts to remove the majority of the oil and then seasoning with sugar and salt. A serving of this has just 1.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. This powder is kosher, low carb, and keto friendly, as well as vegan and gluten free. It has also been verified by the Non-GMO Project.
Several of these jars seem to have issues with the inner seal, and one customer stated that the flavor is nicer when used in shakes and other dishes rather than blended with water as a peanut butter spread. However, since this is a powder, you won’t receive the full flavor sensation that you would with typical peanut butter.
Pros
Cons
2. PBfit Peanut Butter Powder
Highlighted Characteristics
The PBfit peanut butter powder has 8 grams of protein per serving and is great for adding additional protein to smoothies, shakes, baked goods, and other recipes. You may also combine this with water to form a peanut butter spread. This peanut butter powder is certified USDA organic and has no GMO ingredients. It is manufactured from organic peanuts, organic coconut palm sugar, and salt.
This is also certified gluten free and comes in a 30 oz jar. A serving includes 87% less fat and one-third the calories of typical peanut butter. The odd consumer did not like the flavor of this and said it tasted sweeter than conventional peanut butter.
Pros
Cons
3. Jif Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
Jif reduced fat creamy peanut butter provides 7 grams of protein per serving and is a lower salt peanut butter with 25% less fat than ordinary peanut butter. This is a smooth peanut butter with a fresh-roasted peanut flavor that spreads smoothly.
This is also non-GMO and comes in a number of jar sizes. The rare consumer thinks it’s sweeter than other peanut butters, probably to compensate for the taste loss caused by the lower fat content. There is also the possibility that the inner seals may be broken during transportation.
Pros
Cons
4. NAKED PB Powered Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
Each serving contains BCAAs. The NAKED PB powdered peanut butter is made from 100% roasted non-GMO peanuts obtained from US farmers and includes 6 grams of protein, 50 calories, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.9 grams of branched chain amino acids.
This 2 pound container of powder has been independently tested for heavy metals and is gluten free and vegan certified. This is great for smoothies and baked goods, but it may also be used as a protein source in vegan dishes. Several customers are dissatisfied with the lack of flavor in this powder, particularly when mixed with water to produce a peanut butter spread. If you want to be able to taste the peanuts, you may need to add some more ingredients for flavor.
Pros
Cons
5. Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
Teddie All Natural peanut butter is made in the United States from homegrown peanuts and has no added sugar or preservatives. Since it is made entirely with dry roasted peanuts and salt, this is a peanut butter rather than a peanut butter spread. This product is vegan, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified. The components of this peanut butter may naturally separate, thus the maker suggests refrigerating it upon opening to slow down the oil separation.
Several customers dislike the flavor of this product when compared to conventional peanut butter, and it might be difficult to stir to include the oil back in. It is also oilier than other peanut butters, which makes it runnier when used as a spread.
Pros
Cons
6. Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
The ten pack of separate 1.15 oz squeeze packets of Justins basic peanut butter is ideal for on-the-go lunches. This peanut butter is produced using dry roasted peanuts and palm oil that has been properly obtained (RSPO). This product is also non-GMO and gluten-free.
Not everyone is pleased that this is prepared using palm oil, and others think the texture is too gritty. Because of the texture and the oil, you will need to knead the package well before extracting the peanut butter.
Pros
Cons
7. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
The Skippy peanut butter comes in a family-friendly 5 pound container and is a creamy and smooth peanut butter that spreads smoothly without separation. This kosher product is also devoid of gluten and tree nuts, and it contains no preservatives.
A serving of this includes 7 grams of protein, as well as sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil to prevent separation, and salt. There is a chance that this jar may arrive broken, and some consumers believe it is an oilier peanut butter. While it has additional oil, it may still separate and may need a thorough stir before use.
Pros
Cons
8. 365 Everyday Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
The 365 Daily Value organic creamy peanut butter is made from homegrown peanuts and has no added sugar or salt. This product is Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA Organic, kosher, and vegan. This 16 oz jar of peanut butter may be too watery for you if you like a thicker peanut butter, and since this is a natural or pure peanut butter that has no sugar or salt, not everyone will enjoy the flavor.
Pros
Cons
9. Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter
Highlighted Characteristics
Crazy Richards peanut butter in a 1 pound jar is a creamy, natural peanut butter that spreads well. This has no hydrogenated oils, added sugar, or salt and is manufactured from non-GMO peanuts farmed in the United States. This is also kosher certified.
Being a natural peanut butter devoid of sugar and salt, not everyone will like the flavor, and some recent purchasers have difficulty to mix in the oil after it has separated in the jar. This peanut butter may also be runnier than regular peanut butters.
Pros
Cons
10. Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter Creamy
Highlighted Characteristics
Spreads made from a coconut mix. The Planet Balance Non-GMO Project Verified coconut & peanut spread is a creamy spread made with 80% peanuts and extra virgin coconut oil. This is also vegan, kosher, and gluten free. This comes in a 1 pound container, is sweetened with agave syrup, and includes palm oil. Since it contains coconut oil, it has a somewhat distinct flavor than standard peanut butter spread. Several customers have also expressed disappointment that the coconut taste does not come through as strongly as it does in other peanut products.
Pros
Cons
Considerations When Purchasing Peanut Butter
Peanuts are said to have originated in South America, where peanut-decorated jars and peanut-shaped earthenware reaching back 3,500 years have been discovered.
Peanuts were brought back to Spain by new world explorers, and from there, the crop spread to Africa and Asia. Peanuts were brought to North America by Africans in the early 1700s, but it wasn’t until approximately a century later that farmers started to produce peanuts as a commercial commodity in the US.
Peanuts were difficult to cultivate and harvest and were thought to be a meal for cattle and impoverished humans at the time. They were also employed as an oil replacement and as a cocoa substitute.
Peanuts grew increasingly popular during the Civil War, particularly since they were discovered to be a rich source of protein. Thanks to PT Barnum’s circus wagons, hot roasted peanuts were widely accessible, and as a consequence, street sellers began to sell peanuts at baseball games and other events.
Peanuts became more easily accessible as farming methods improved, increasing demand.
The oldest evidence of peanut butter comes from the South American Inca People, who pounded peanuts into butter. John Harvey Kellogg produced an early commercial form of peanut butter in 1895. Peanut butter was first presented during the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and it quickly became a staple in soldier rations. True, the PB&J became a famous snack because troops depended on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for nourishment during World War II!
Peanuts are the tenth most valuable cash crop in the United States today, with a farm value of more than a billion dollars, according to The American Peanut Council. It is estimated that Americans consume approximately 6 pounds of peanut products each year, with 60% of peanuts cultivated in the United States ending up in a jar in 2018. Just for fun, a 12 oz jar of peanut butter requires around 540 peanuts!
What Is the Difference Between Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter Spread?
According to the e-CFR, peanut butter is a product produced by grinding shelled and roasted peanuts to which safe and appropriate flavors and stabilizers may be added.
These additives shall not account for more than 10% of the total weight of the finished product, which implies that a product branded as peanut butter must include at least 90% peanuts, but a product labeled as peanut butter spread may have fewer than 90% peanuts.
Concerning Peanut Butter Powder
Peanut butter powder is becoming increasingly common on supermarket shelves. Peanut butter powder is created by pressing roasted peanuts to remove most of the natural oils, and then grinding what is left into a fine powder.
This implies that a powder has less fat than typical peanut butter and is frequently devoid of added salt and sugar. It is also lower in overall calories; a tablespoon of natural peanut butter has around 95 calories, while a tablespoon of powdered peanut butter contains only 23 calories. Several people use PB powder to add plant-based protein to shakes and smoothies.
Peanut butter powder is easy to incorporate into mixtures and may be used in place of flour. Powder may be used to marinades and rubs, stirred into sauces, handmade frostings, ice creams, and mousses, and, of course, baked products.
If you want to use it as a dry ingredient to add flavor, try swapping a third of the flour in the recipe with peanut butter powder. You can even do this with waffle or pancake batter. Instead, rehydrate the PB powder with water and use the same quantity as the recipe calls for peanut butter. Powder may also be sprinkled on top of ice cream, cereal, popcorn, and other foods.
Peanut butter powder may also be blended with water to produce a spread, albeit the flavor and consistency will not be the same as if you were eating actual peanut butter. Another technique for generating a powder spread is to combine one part powder with one part plain yogurt.
When part of the fat in peanut butter powder is removed during manufacturing, some of its other nutrients is also lost. Some peanut butter powders will additionally include sugar, salt, or other additives to enhance the overall flavor.
Selecting Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a popular, healthful, and inexpensive food. Get a peanut butter with as few ingredients as possible when seeking for a healthy alternative.
Natural peanut butter, according to FDA guidelines, should not include any synthetic or artificial additives. Natural peanut butters typically include just peanuts, but double-check since some may have additional salt. However, keep in mind that natural peanut butters are far more prone to separate during storage and will always need a thorough stir before spreading.
Selecting natural peanut butter might be tough at times since the absence of salt and sugar can make it taste less like peanut butter and hence less appealing. If you want or need to use pure peanut butter, mix in a little honey as a natural sweetener. Adding it to things like oatmeal or dipping fruit slices in it may also give some natural sweetness to it. There’s also the traditional PB&J, which is a lot healthier snack if you use whole-grain bread and low-sugar jelly.
Sugars in peanut butter may take several forms, including high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn syrup solids, and others that you should avoid.
Together with sugar, some peanut butters have a high salt level, but ideally, we should be searching for fewer than 125 milligrams (mg) of sodium per serving of peanut butter.
Some peanut butters are produced with hydrogenated oils to improve texture, however this increases trans fat. While it is a highly saturated fat and may not be properly obtained, palm oil may be a superior option of fat (RSPO). It is also important to note that certain reduced fat peanut butters may include extra fillers and sugars, which may provide very little benefit in terms of real calorie reduction.
If you’re looking for peanut butter for your canine family members, the American Kennel Club says that most peanut butters are suitable for dogs in moderation. According to the 10% rule, snacks such as peanut butter should not account for more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet. Instead of offering peanut butter every day, alternate with healthier fruit or vegetable treats such as carrot or apple pieces.
When purchasing peanut butter for your dog, seek for unsalted peanut butter that is also free of sugars. Get one that does not include the sweetener xylitol, which is hazardous to dogs.
Peanut Butter Nutrition and Health Advantages
Peanut butter, like many other foods, should be consumed in moderation. Carbohydrates account for around 13% of its calories, with fiber accounting for approximately one-third of these carbohydrates, with a two-tablespoon portion of peanut butter providing approximately 1.8 grams of fiber.
It is a decent source of protein, with roughly 7 grams in a two tablespoon meal, but it does not contain all of the necessary amino acids that the body requires. Peanut butter is particularly low in the amino acid methionine, which is more abundant in animal proteins. While some studies shows that a decreased methionine diet may actually boost lifespan in certain animals, seeds, brazil nuts, and oats provide an alternate vegan-friendly source of methionine.
A serving of peanut butter will also include between a sixth and an eighth of the RDA for calcium and magnesium for women and men. Reduced magnesium intake has been related to an increased risk of diabetes.
It also includes around 15% of our RDA for phosphorus (700 mg) and 14% of our RDA for vitamin B6. Peanut butter also includes zinc, niacin, and antioxidants, which have been associated to various health advantages in animals, such as reducing chronic disease risks.
Peanut butter, on the other hand, is heavy in fat, with a serving comprising around 23.5% of the maximum recommended daily intake of saturated fat for those of us who eat 2,000 calories per day.
Peanut butter includes polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in addition to some saturated fat, and the ratio of these unsaturated fats to saturated fats in peanut butter is comparable to that of olive oil.
Peanuts may aid to enhance heart health, with an American Diabetes Association diet plan proposing 46 grams of peanuts or peanut butter per day for six months to boost heart health, improve blood lipid levels, and assist diabetics with weight management.
Peanut butter with no added sugars has no noticeable effect on blood sugar levels, making it a good choice for diabetics.
Peanuts’ high protein level, along with their fiber and fat content, may assist to boost feelings of fullness after a meal, which can aid with weight management. According to one European research that evaluated data from over 373,000 participants over five years, consuming nuts may lessen the chance of becoming overweight or obese. This study validated previous findings that women who ate nuts twice or more a week gained somewhat less weight over an eight-year period than women who seldom ate nuts.
It also includes around 10% of the American Heart Association’s daily upper salt intake (1,500 mg per day), which is another reason why peanut butter should be consumed in moderation.
Peanut Butter Storage
Unopened jars of peanut butter have a shelf life of six to nine months. Once opened, it may be stored in a cold, dark area for two to three months, or in the refrigerator for up to nine months.
Refrigerating peanut butter can also help to slow down some of the oil separation that may occur, particularly with natural peanut butters.
Separation, although unpleasant for many, is natural. Since natural peanut butters lack the stabilizing oils often added to normal peanut butters and peanut butter spreads, the liquid (oil) separating from the solid combination (the peanuts) occurs at higher temperatures.
A thorough toss before consuming is generally enough to mix the oil back in, but a lot of individuals also advocate rotating a jar of peanut butter on a regular basis. This involves storing it upside down in the refrigerator and turning the jar back over if the oil rises to the top again. Just make sure the lid is firmly fastened before storing it upside down!
Aflatoxins found in peanut butter
Some individuals may be worried about the presence of aflatoxins in peanuts and hence peanut butter. Aflatoxins are naturally occurring molds found in soil and hence crops such as maize, wheat, sunflower seeds, rice, peanuts, and others.
Due of the potential of aflatoxins, all foods cultivated in soil, including peanuts, must exceed FDA aflatoxin limits.
To far, aflatoxins have never caused an epidemic of disease in the United States, while outbreaks of aflatoxin in locally produced crops have occurred in other countries such as Asia and Africa.
Peanuts are washed, shelled, and sorted after harvesting to detect and remove any damaged peanuts that may have produced aflatoxin. The FDA also conducts random food safety tests on items such as peanut butter, and if there are any safety concerns, the product is recalled. Aflatoxin cannot occur once peanuts have been processed into peanut butter and bottled.
Conclusion
We’ve shown in this article that ordinary peanut butter is good as a treat when taken in moderation as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. We’ve looked at the nutrition of peanut butter as well as some of the newer choices, such as natural peanut butters and peanut butter powders, for a better way to integrate peanut butter into your diet. We’ve discussed some of the various applications for powdered peanut butter, including a rapid protein boost in a smoothie, as well as what to look for when selecting a healthy peanut butter.
We hope you liked this post and that you found our evaluations of the finest peanut butters useful whether you are seeking for peanut butter for yourself, your family, or even your pet dogs.