We Asked Dietitians to Name the Healthiest Peanut Butter-and They Said the Same Thing

Verywell Health • January 13, 2026 • health

Key Points:

Registered dietitians recommend choosing peanut butter with a short ingredient list, ideally containing only peanuts and salt, to maximize health benefits from natural unsaturated fats and micronutrients.
It's important to avoid peanut butters with added sugars like cane sugar, molasses, or corn syrup, as these can accumulate and negatively impact health over time.
Reduced-fat or fat-free peanut butters often contain added sugars or additives to compensate for flavor, so focusing on natural fat content and lower sodium levels is advised instead.
"Natural" peanut butter, although not FDA-regulated, typically has fewer additives and no hydrogenated oils, which are harmful fats; separation of oil is a sign of minimal processing and a healthier option.
Organic