Peanut butter can be a nutritious snack, but some brands compromise quality for taste. Here’s what to avoid in your next shopping trip.
Choosing the right peanut butter means understanding what's hiding in the jar. Some brands offer tempting options that are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives that could compromise your health. This article unveils 13 unhealthy peanut butter brands that should be left on the shelf during your grocery runs.
Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread
Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread has been a nostalgic favorite since 1958. However, packing 10 grams of sugar per serving makes it more akin to a treat than a healthful snack. Although the producer claims it contains 50% less sugar than leading competitors, at 200 calories, it may lead to health risks if consumed regularly. It’s recommended to enjoy this spread as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple.
Planters Smooth Peanut Butter
Don’t let the appealing packaging of Planters Smooth Peanut Butter fool you. This product includes hydrogenated vegetable oils, which raise serious health concerns, such as inflammation and heart health risks. Each serving contains 7 grams of fat, a troubling figure when plenty of simpler, healthier alternatives are available.
Justin's Honey Peanut Butter
With its trendy organic marketing, Justin's Honey Peanut Butter might seem like a responsible choice. Unfortunately, it contains 3.5 grams of saturated fat per serving and uses palm oil, which can negatively affect cholesterol levels and contribute to long-term health issues. With 210 calories in one serving, overindulgence can lead to unwanted weight gain.
Smucker's Goober Strawberry
Smucker's Goober Strawberry markets itself as the perfect combination of peanut butter and jelly for kids. However, it is loaded with an alarming 22 grams of sugar per serving—20 of which come from added sources—making this product more of a candy than a nutritional option. The presence of high fructose corn syrup only adds to its unhealthy reputation.
B. Happy's Joy to the World Peanut Butter
Playful branding aside, B. Happy's Joy to the World Peanut Butter is a mix that contains 10 grams of sugar, primarily from added sugar. With ingredients like milk chocolate and toffee in the mix, this product fails to deliver any real nutrition, presenting more of a dessert than a healthy spread.
Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter
Walmart's Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter aims for affordability but compromises on quality. Though it may appear low in sugar, the use of icing sugar raises concerns about its true health value. Moreover, the palm oil included increases saturated fat and environmental issues, which makes it a less desirable choice overall.
Skippy Roasted Honey Nut Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
Skippy's Roasted Honey Nut Creamy Peanut Butter Spread touts flavor but brings with it 200 calories and 21% of your daily fats in one serving. Even with honey in the mix, the three forms of sugar render it more of an indulgent treat than a nutritious spread.
Peanut Butter & Company White Chocolate Wonderful
Indulgence meets peanut butter with Peanut Butter & Company’s White Chocolate Wonderful, which is better suited as a dessert than a breakfast item. With 6 grams of added sugar and 12 grams of fat per serving, choosing traditional peanut butter is a more nutritious option for your morning routine.
Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter
Known for its line of sweet candies, Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter doesn’t stray far from its sugary roots. Featuring 16 grams of fat and 3 grams of sugar per serving, this peanut butter is more appropriate for dessert than for a healthy lunch. The hydrogenated oils and artificial additives further detract from its nutritional value.
Peanut Butter & Company Dark Chocolatey Dreams
Similar to its white chocolate counterpart, Peanut Butter & Company’s Dark Chocolatey Dreams offers the same mix of sweetness and fat yet falls short on health benefits. With a serving containing 12% of daily sugar intake, this spread is undeniably more dessert than health food.
Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
Skippy's Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread attracts health-conscious consumers but is filled with undesirable alternatives. Although it reduces fat to 13 grams, it also exceeds recommended sugar levels significantly, contributing to an unhealthy product with corn syrup solids and hydrogenated oils.
Steering clear of these unhealthy peanut butter brands can significantly aid in maintaining a balanced diet. As you navigate the aisles, try to choose peanut butters made with minimal ingredients and low sugar content to truly enjoy the health benefits they offer without unnecessary additives or sweeteners.