Reviewers say the following about shopping for peanut butter:

  • Keep in mind who'll be eating the peanut butter you choose. As a rule, kids tend to prefer processed, full-fat, slightly sweet peanut butters like Skippy and Jif, while most adults will at least be willing to try a natural, unsweetened peanut butter. If you're not sure what the reaction will be, purchase a small jar first.
  • If you can, buy in bulk. Processed peanut butters have a long shelf life, so you'll save a lot of money by purchasing multi-jar bundles at your local warehouse store. This tactic isn't recommended for natural peanut butters, which don't last as long.
  • Examine the label. If you're on a low-sodium or low-sugar diet, check the list of ingredients. Some processed peanut butters -- like Reese's and Peter Pan -- are sweeter than others, and some are saltier (though often still sweet).
  • Take "reduced fat" claims with a grain of salt. As explained above, some manufacturers replace the missing fat in reduced-fat peanut butters with carbohydrates (sugars), which makes these peanut butters unsuitable for certain diets. You may want to ask your dietitian what peanut butter she or he recommends.
Sponsored Links

Back to top