As a dietitian, choosing the best peanut butter for weight loss comes down to ingredients added.
It's important to have natural peanut butter that contains only two ingredients: peanuts and salt without any unnecessary additives or preservatives to ensure that there are no hidden sources of excess calories, sugars, or unhealthy fats.
While peanut butter is generally inexpensive, there are some jars that can run over $7 a jar! As someone who is frugal, it is important for me to choose options that are cost-effective.
That's why with today's taste taste, I am reviewing budget-friendly natural peanut butters that are all priced under $5.
Benefits of Peanut Butter
Not only does it taste good, but it is also good for you and can be consumed in moderation on your weight loss journey.
Rich Source of Protein and Fiber
One of the key benefits of natural peanut butter is its high protein content. Peanuts are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, making it an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians. Additionally, it contains dietary fiber that aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut.
Healthy Fats: Good for Your Heart
Despite its creamy texture, natural peanut butter is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats contribute to heart health and can help lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Packed with Essential Nutrients
Natural peanut butter is not only delicious but also nutritious. It is a natural source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
My favorite peanut butters for weight loss
Choosing the Best Natural Peanut Butter
As an avid peanut butter consumer, these are some of the factors that I believe make a great tasting peanut butter.
Salt Ratio
Finding that sweet spot where the salt enhances the natural sweetness and nuttiness of the peanuts without overpowering the overall flavor is key.
Ease of Mixing
There's nothing more frustrating than opening a new jar of peanut butter and struggling to mix it together.
A smooth and effortless mixing process ensures that every spoonful is a consistent texture and minimizes mess, making it a practical and enjoyable feature in any peanut butter.
Type of Peanuts Used In Peanut Butter
Yes, the type of peanuts used does affect the taste!
Runner Peanuts
Runner peanuts are one of the most commonly used varieties for peanut butter production. They are known for their high oil content, making them ideal for achieving a creamy and smooth consistency in the final product.
Virginia Peanuts
Virginia peanuts are renowned for their large size and delightful crunch, making them a popular choice for chunky peanut butter lovers.
Virginia peanuts are also known for their sweet and nutty flavor, making them a great choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced peanut taste in their peanut butter.
Spanish Peanuts
Spanish peanuts are smaller in size compared to other varieties, but they are highly valued for their unique nutty and robust flavor.
These peanuts are often used to make natural peanut butter, as their bold taste shines through without the need for additional flavorings or additives.
Valencia Peanuts
Grown in the southwestern United States, Valencia peanuts are known for their naturally sweet taste and small size.
They are commonly used to make peanut butter with a unique and naturally sweet flavor profile.
My Top 5 Best Tasting Natural Peanut Butters
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter
The Best Creamy Peanut Butter
What I loved: The creamy runny texture, salt ratio, good flavor of roasted nuts.
What I didn't love: A chunky version for those of us who love chunky peanut butter!
If you know me, you'll know that I love Kirkland and it is no different with their creamy organic peanut butter.
First and foremost, the pricing of Kirkland Peanut Butter is unbeatable. Not only is it a high-quality product, but it also comes in large jars, making it incredibly cost-effective.
The flavor of Kirkland Peanut Butter was my favorite on the list.
Perhaps it's because they use valencia peanuts, but the flavor was rich, nutty, and perfectly salted.
One of the things I love most about the Kirkland Peanut Butter is its texture. It's smooth and creamy and spreads effortlessly, whether that's a slice of bread, a rice cake, or banana bread.
Additionally, it's a fantastic ingredient for baking, providing a delectable peanutty twist to cookies, protein bars, and energy bars.
Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter
The Best No Salt Peanut Butter
What I loved: The pure taste of peanuts, easy to mix.
What I didn't love: I was craving more depth of flavor. The lack of salt made the overall taste more monotone.
Crazy Richard's 100% Peanuts is true to the name. This peanut butter contains just peanuts not even salt!
This unique characteristic sets it apart from many other peanut butter brands on the market, making it an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their sodium intake.
Now, let's talk about the taste.
The absence of salt allows the natural sweetness and richness of the peanuts to shine through, creating a pure and authentic taste experience.
Personally, I like a little salt in my peanut butter but find the taste of Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter satisfying.
The lack of added salt also allows you to customize the taste to your preference, whether you enjoy it as it is for a naturally sweet and nutty experience or decide to add a pinch of salt if that's your preference.
I love adding this to my savory dips, where I want to control the sodium with the other ingredients.
If you're looking for a great unsalted peanut butter, Crazy Richard's is a top-notch choice.
Trader Joe's Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
The Best Peanut Butter For Those Who Love Salt
What I loved: Easy to mix, affordability, good chunks of chunky peanuts distributed.
What I didn't love: Too salty for my liking!
Out of all the peanut butters I tried, the Trader Joe's Peanut Butter stands out as the most salty of the options. Trader Joes has different varieties of peanut butter and I tried the crunchy salted variety, which comes in a blue jar.
Personally, I found the taste of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter to be too salty for my liking. I also wished that I tasted some more of the deep roasted flavors of the peanuts.
I found that the flavor was a little one-noted and monotone. I wished that I was able to taste more flavors of the roasted peanuts.
I do think that the existing saltiness would work great in sweet recipes such as these strawberry protein bars or even in these no-bake protein bars where peanut butter is used in a mix of ingredients rather than the star of the show.
Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter
The Best Chunky Peanut Butter
What I loved: Easy to mix, roasted flavor, good chunks of chunky peanuts distributed.
What I didn't love: N/A, I loved this one!
What I loved the most about Smucker's was their salt ratio. It's just right! Not overpowering, but a subtle touch that enhances the peanut flavor.
With just peanuts and a hint of salt, it embraces simplicity and transparency, free from any artificial additives.
Flavor-wise, Smuckers was one of my favorites.
The peanuts were roasted perfectly and I was able to taste the natural nuttiness of the peanuts with each bite.
I also loved that it was incredibly easy to emulsify and mix together.
This makes it perfect as a spreadable peanut butter on top of oatmeal, or on top of vegan banana bread.
Based on its affordability, taste, and flavor, I would highly recommend the Smuckers Natural Chunky peanut butter.
Whole Foods 365 Natural Chunky Peanut Butter
Runner Up: Best Chunky Peanut Butter
What I loved: Easy to mix, good chunks of chunky peanuts distributed.
What I didn't love: This one was decent, but didn't have the deep roasted notes of flavor of the Smuckers.
If I'm being honest, affordable and Whole Foods are not two items I usually place together in the same sentence.
But, the 365 peanut butter brand has earned its place on this list for its cost and taste.
The salt ratio was not overwhelming, but enough to enhance the peanut flavor without overpowering the natural goodness of the nuts.
The flavor of the peanuts was good, but not as good as the Kirkland or Smuckers.
Storing and Preserving Natural Peanut Butter
As with all things, the way you store and preserve products is important.
Refrigeration vs. Room Temperature
Natural peanut butter can be stored at room temperature, but refrigeration can extend its shelf life. However, refrigeration may cause the spread to harden, so allow it to sit at room temperature for easy spreading.
Oil Separation: To Stir or Not to Stir
As mentioned earlier, oil separation is a natural occurrence in natural peanut butter. Some prefer to stir it back in, while others embrace the oilier texture. It's a matter of personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, natural peanut butter contains only peanuts, making it a healthier choice compared to regular peanut butter, which often includes added sugars and unhealthy fats.
No. If you have a peanut allergy or any nut allergy, it's crucial to avoid peanut butter and opt for alternatives made from seeds or other nuts.
To prevent oil separation, store your natural peanut butter upside down before opening. This helps distribute the oil more evenly, making it easier to stir.
Absolutely! Natural peanut butter can be an excellent addition to baking recipes, adding a nutty flavor to cookies, banana bread, and gluten-free protein bars.
Yes. If you're on a weight loss diet, you can still enjoy peanut butter in moderation as part of a balanced meal plan.
So What?
As a peanut butter lover, I realize that I have a very nuanced view of what makes a good peanut butter.
As a dietitian, I hope this taste guide gave you some helpful pointers as to what makes a great jar of all natural peanut butter for your weight loss goals.
Whether you prefer it smooth or crunchy, organic or non-organic, there's a natural peanut butter that suits your taste buds and nutritional needs.
Want recipes to put your peanut butter on? You'll love these.
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