Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
Wondering if you can continue enjoying PB&Js as a vegan? Of course you can! That said, a lot of today's peanut butter products are far from natural, and contain much more than just peanuts. So, let's take a look at these additives and determine whether they are vegan-friendly, or not quite.
Questionable Ingredients In Your Peanut Butter
While most peanut butter brands use only plant-based ingredients in their products, some may use honey or milk in certain specialty products. Nowadays, you'll even want to watch out for fish oil in your peanut butter, as it's sometimes used to fortify the product with omega-3s. In fact, these ingredients are often used even by natural peanut butter brands, so be mindful of the ingredients list!
Some seemingly vegan peanut butters may also contain ingredients that are plant-based, but not quite vegan. This is because an ingredient does not have to be animal-derived to be produced unethically and harm sentient beings. For example, white sugar produced in the US may be refined using bone char. Likewise, palm oil, a very common ingredient in peanut butter, is produced at the expense of wild animal habitats, causing some species to approach extinction.
What To Look For In Vegan Peanut Butter
It's best to go for natural peanut butter without palm oil made with simple ingredients; preferably, only peanuts! However, alternatives like organic cane sugar, maple syrup, or other vegetable oils could make for vegan-friendly options, as well.
Ultimately, the vegan diet is meant to protect animals, so if there are ingredients we can avoid to help us further align with our values, we are inclined to do so.
However, it's also important to take our own health into account! Added vegetable oils and sugars only serve to add unnecessary calories to your PB. So, your best bet is to go for products that contain only roasted peanuts, and maybe a hint of salt for flavor. Ultimately, ground peanuts are delicious as they are, so they don't really need any additives to make them tastier.
Using a natural peanut butter alternative also gives you more ways to be creative with this versatile ingredient! Use it in both sweets and savory dishes, knowing it contains zero added sugars.
Top 5 Vegan Peanut Butter Brands To Look For
CB's Original 1-Ingredient Peanut Butter
Price | $8.00
Ingredients | Roasted Peanuts.
Varieties | Organic, Original, Sea Salt, Organic Sea Salt.
Ground to the perfect blend between creamy and crunchy, CB's natural peanut butter is made with only premium roasted peanuts (and nothing else)! Each batch is packaged in an infinitely recyclable glass jar to protect the planet, and you can even find it in a totally organic variety. Try one of their 'creamunchy' PBs now!
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Spread The Love Organic Peanut Butter
Price | $10.99
Ingredients | Organic Peanuts.
Varieties | Organic Peanut, Crunch Organic Peanut, Organic Single Serve Packets, Unsalted Almond, Unsalted Crunch Almond, Unsalted Almond Single Serve Packets, Almond Cashew, Basic Cashew.
Spread The Love's original peanut butter boasts the perfect 'drizzle consistency' for Thai peanut sauce, pancakes, oatmeal, salad dressing, roasted vegetables, and dipping sauce. Made with just one ingredient; organic peanuts, this brand is one of the most popular natural options on the market! Snag a jar today and start drizzling!
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PBFit Peanut Butter Powder
Price | $15.40
Ingredients | Peanut Flour, Coconut Palm Sugar, Salt.
Varieties | Peanut Butter Powder, Pure Peanut, Organic Plus Chocolate, Organic, Chocolate, Protein Almond Butter Spread, Protein Peanut Butter Spread, Sugar-Free.
Trying to lower your fat intake? Or, maybe you need a quick high-protein add-on for your meals? PBFit's peanut butter powder is an excellent natural swap for protein powder! Toss it into oatmeal, pancakes, or shakes for an instant balanced meal you can whip up in minutes.
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Crazy Richard's Creamy Peanut Butter
Price | $4.28
Ingredients | Peanuts.
Varieties | Creamy, Crunchy, Almond, Peanut Powder Bag, Peanut Powder Jar.
A brand originated from the first ever American producer of peanut butter (Krema Peanut Butter), those at Crazy Richard's know what they're doing. The man behind Krema at the time was named Richard; he was called 'Crazy Richard' because of his passion for natural foods! "I am crazy! Crazy about wholesome, clean ingredients!" he would say. Thankfully, the brand remains true to these beliefs even in 2022. Crazy Richard's peanut butter contains just one ingredient: peanuts. Wholesome and clean, indeed!
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Adam's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Price | $5.48
Ingredients | Peanuts, Salt.
Varieties | Creamy, Crunchy, Creamy Unsalted, Crunchy Unsalted.
A Kosher, non-GMO, gluten free option for all almost needs and preferences, Adam's natural peanut butter is a classic choice for your PB&Js. And at 8g of protein per serving, it's also perfect for smoothies and oatmeal for an easy nutrition boost. Give it a try!
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