A spoonful of tasty, salty peanut butter is a delightfully nutritious snack. It\u2019s full of heart-healthy fats, filling protein and even a little bit of fiber to support gut and heart health. <\/p>\n
Peanut butter is so good for you that you can eat it as often as every day if you\u2019d like<\/a>. But if you want the healthiest peanut butter you can buy, dietitians recommend looking for one simple clue when you\u2019re in the grocery store.<\/p>\n Nutrition Tip of the Day: Look for This Type of Peanut Butter<\/p>\n Any peanut butter on the shelf will be delicious. But if you want a healthy peanut butter, dietitians recommend<\/a> looking for one thing first: oil separation.<\/p>\n Peanut butters that have some natural oil separation \u2014 not \u201cno stir\u201d peanut butters \u2014 are generally made without unnecessary ingredients to stabilize or sweeten them. That means they\u2019re likely to have a short, simple ingredients list that\u2019s heavy on the good stuff.<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/p>\n Whether you opt for chunky or smooth peanut butter is entirely up to you. But dietitians recommend picking a peanut butter that has just a few ingredients.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen choosing a peanut butter, look at the ingredients and pick one that is just peanuts and salt, or unsalted,\u201d Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor, advised previously. \u201cI recommend opting for one that says \u2018natural\u2019 on it, which usually means it\u2019s just peanuts with a dash of salt,\u201d Rizzo added.<\/p>\n Natural peanut butters typically don\u2019t have added stabilizers, such as palm oil, which means the oil will naturally separate in the jar.<\/p>\n That is entirely normal \u2014\u00a0and can be a helpful tip to find peanut butters in the grocery store that are likely to have fewer additives. Just make sure you stir it before using. (Pro tip: Store it in your fridge upside down<\/a> to help it solidify without the need for too much stirring.)<\/p>\n How To Get Started<\/p>\n Added stabilizers and oils aren\u2019t the only things to make note of when choosing a peanut butter. Dietitians also previously recommended keeping an eye out for added sugar, particularly in \u201choney roasted\u201d or other flavored varieties. <\/p>\n These can be a tasty occasional treat, of course. But if you like to eat peanut butter frequently,<\/a> it\u2019s a good idea to opt for one of the simpler types without too much added sugar. <\/p>\n Also think about what you\u2019re eating the peanut butter with<\/a>, dietitians say. <\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing wrong with grabbing a scoop from the jar, but you\u2019ll get more of the nutritional benefits from peanut butter when paired with certain other foods, like whole wheat toast or an apple. Meals or snacks like these are likely to be more satisfying overall and can help keep your blood sugar balanced<\/a>.<\/p>\n