Whether you're munching ants on a log for lunch or a late-night peanut butter and jam sandwich, peanut butter is a surefire method to keep you full—and, dare we say, far more crave-worthy than a handful of baby carrots. Fortunately, this seasoning is also pretty darn healthy for you.
On the other hand, buying peanut butter can be a little intimidating. You don't know which selections to choose from the abundance of choices on the shelf. What company? crunchy or creamy? Natural? How do you even start? Well, keep reading.
How Do You Pick Good Peanut Butter?
Even while peanuts are a nutrient-rich food in and of themselves, not all peanut butter manufacturers use the best ingredients. We thus have further discussed what to consider when picking a healthy peanut butter and what to stay away from.
Here are the tips -
Two or few ingredients
The main component of a nutritious peanut butter is peanuts! However, if there is an additive, it should only be a small amount of salt.
Choose low-sodium or sodium-free options.
Although many peanut butter manufacturers salt their spreads, too much sodium might be bad for your heart. A teaspoon of salt has 2,300 milligrammes (mg), which is the maximum daily intake for people with healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure sufferers are advised to reduce their intake even more, to 1,500 mg per day. If sodium-free PBs aren't your thing, pick the variety with the least amount of salt. Hultin advises consumers to read labels carefully and look for the lower end of the average range of 100 to 125 mg per 2 tablespoons (tbsp).
No hydrogenated oils
The peanut butter will separate because there are no hydrogenated oils, but that's acceptable. A thick layer of peanut oil will be seen on top; the greater separation, the better.
No or less added sugar
We advise looking for additional sugars like molasses in the ingredients list since they may cause weight gain. You should keep these to a minimum, just like salt. Giving your taste buds some time to get used to the flavour of unsweetened peanut butter is preferable.
Is 100% Peanut Butter Better?
A great source of healthy fats is pure peanut butter. Although some have expressed concern about the omega-6 linoleic acid level, there is little data to support these worries.
In conclusion, there are many positive aspects of peanut butter as well as some drawbacks. Peanut butter consumption is unlikely to have any significant detrimental effects, nevertheless, when done in moderation. Avoiding sugary soda, trans fats, and other highly processed foods is more crucial than ever.
Which Type Of Peanut Butter is Healthiest?
The first component on the label should, unsurprisingly, be peanuts. Some brands offer peanut butter fresh on location [by grinding] peanuts into nut butter or paste. Salt and other spices may occasionally be added. To produce a smoother texture, extra oil may occasionally be added.
Is There Unhealthy Peanut Butter?
Peanut butters that have been sweetened with artificial sweeteners may be unhealthy. If you happen to find any such peanut butters at the store, we advise avoiding them.
How to Choose the Best Peanut Butter Brand For You
There are many different peanut butter brands, so picking the best one might be difficult. However, you hold the key to selecting the best brand of peanut butter. Let me demonstrate how.
What qualities do you think a good peanut butter jar should have? Do you enjoy peanuts that are silky smooth and easy to spread, or are you more into the very crunchy stuff? How about the ingredients? There are those of us who would enjoy a sprinkle of sea salt, a spoonful of sugar, or even a swirl of something altogether more decadent. For purists, anything else than 100 percent peanuts is a strict no-no.
Then there is the palm oil problem: many brands stabilise their peanut butter with palm oil to make it creamy and spreadable without oil separation. Additionally, the peanuts used in peanut butter might differ. Organic, health-conscious products now frequently contain "hi-oleic" peanuts, which are sweeter and higher in monounsaturated fats than ordinary peanuts but also more expensive.
Therefore, the only elements that will guide your choice of the finest peanut butter brand for you are your preferences.
What are the Things You Need to Keep in Mind When Choosing the Best Peanut Butter
There are a few things you should keep an eye out for on the label when purchasing peanut butter -
- Short ingredient list
- Zero or low levels of added oils
- Zero or low added sugar
- No emulsifiers
- Skip the low-fat or reduced-fat versions
In Summation
There are many decent alternatives available on the market, including the products mentioned above, but it's crucial to take quality into account when selecting peanut butter. Take into account the advice above and select the best peanut butter made with premium ingredients. At Alpino, we priorities customer health along with stomach delight, therefore we go above and beyond to make Alpino Peanut Butter the best peanut butter in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is there a layer of oil on Alpino Peanut Butter?
Our peanut butter is made without additional oil. But it is only normal for roasted peanuts to leak their oil when they are thoroughly ground in stone. Since ancient times, India has been extracting cold-pressed oils from oil seeds in this manner.
Most nut butters sold commercially contain hydrogenated fats. Trans fats are created during this process from the oil produced from the seeds. They acquire a texture akin to processed butter as a result. Vanaspati Ghee (Dalda) is fundamentally prepared in this manner.
We do not hydrogenate our peanut butter, nor do we add any emulsifiers or additions to it.
How should I store Alpino’s Peanut Butter, does it need to be refrigerated?
Without refrigeration, our peanut butter has a shelf life of six months. However, we do advise that you store it somewhere cold and dry, away from the sun. Our peanut butter lasts longer when you use a new spoon each time!
