The healthiest peanut butter you can buy in the UK (top 6)
For some reason, we think that peanut butter still sort of feels like a niche product. But the stats don't lie - during the first few weeks of lockdown, peanut butter officially became the UK's favourite spread. It's filling, delicious, and can be very healthy. But that last point is what we want to explore in this article, because not every peanut butter is healthy. In fact, we'd say that the majority of the peanut butter you find on the shelves at your local supermarket couldn't really be classed as healthy.
But that's not to say that there aren't any healthy peanut butter products available to buy in the UK - you're actually spoilt for choice. We wanted to highlight the 6 healthiest peanut butter brands you can buy in the UK, and where you can buy them from. Let's get into the guide:
Whole Earth smooth peanut butter
In 2023, there are currently lots of brands selling healthy peanut butter. But that wasn't always the case, and we remember a time when Whole Earth was the sole healthy option within the peanut butter section. This was definitely one of the first brands to focus on creating a simple, healthier peanut butter - their products contain no added sugar, are made with sustainable palm oil, and contain just a pinch of sea salt for taste.
This peanut butter has been around for ages and we're not surprised, buy it here - amazon.co.uk
Meridian Smooth Peanut Butter
The thing we love about the Meridian peanut butter is that it only contains 1 ingredient - skin-on peanuts (leaving the skin on just gives it a little bit of texture). And that's it! On the packaging, it is made quite clear that the team at Meridian is very proud of the fact that they don't use palm oil in their peanut butter. This is because palm oil can often be sourced in very unsustainable ways (although brands like Whole Earth make sure to use sustainable palm oil). If you're looking for simple, straightforward peanut butter, Meridian is a good choice. Buy it here - amazon.co.uk
ManiLife peanut butter
ManiLife is a brand which is quite new on the peanut butter scene, but which is already making waves. The real standout element is that the brand uses Hi-Oleic Peanuts in their peanut butter - this is a special variety of peanuts that are only grown in certain places around the world and are high in Oleic Acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid which is considered to be a 'healthy' fat. On top of this, ManiLife has added no sugar and no palm oil, so there is plenty to appreciate here. Buy the product here - hollandandbarrett.com
Wowbutter
Does this count? We think it should! Wowbutter doesn't actually contain any peanuts - it's a spread which tastes very similar to real peanut butter, but which is made from things like toasted soy and cane sugar instead of peanuts. In terms of how healthy it is for you, all the ingredients are GMO-free and the brand claims that their protein is more bioavailable than the protein you get from normal peanut butter. This is certainly an interesting product and we think it's healthy too, learn more here - wowbutter.com
Pip & Nut
This is another peanut butter which proudly states that it doesn't contain palm oil, and which is made with Hi-Oleic Peanuts. Because of the Hi-Oleic Peanuts, the peanut butter is high in mono-unsaturated fats which some studies show could help to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. This peanut butter contains a small amount sea salt for flavour but not much, plus it's vegan-approved. Overall, a nice healthy peanut butter and definitely worth trying. Learn more and buy it here - pipandnut.com
Knotty's Nutri-Butter
The range of peanut butter from Knotty's can definitely be classed as healthy - not only is it made with High Oleic peanuts and without any added sugar, but each jar is also fortified with a number of additional ingredients which make this peanut butter extra healthy. For example, the 'Defence' peanut butter from Knotty's is made with Maca, Acai Berries, and cinnamon. This means the peanut butter is packed with additional vitamins and antioxidants, which is great for your immune system. We love this idea and think it's great to have peanut butter which not only tastes great but also has that additional goodness. A 180g jar will cost you about £1.80, learn more here - hollandandbarrett.com
Final thoughts
There is an overwhelming choice of peanut butter on the shelves at the moment, and it's nice to know that many of them are actually very healthy. Let us know your favourite healthy peanut butter in the comments!
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.
2 Comments
Val
Pic’s is the best Really yummy.
David
A desert spoon with 100% crunchy peanut butter and a couple of drops of Shoyu organic sauce make the most wonderful snack. Has to be a decent butter with no added anything though.