I’m a Dietitian and This Is My Favorite Healthy Peanut Butter

This is the peanut butter brand that I always choose.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RDReviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

If you know me, then you know that I start almost every single day with a piece of whole wheat toast topped with peanut butter. Somehow it’s the only breakfast combination that not only helps me feel satisfied, but also brings me joy. It’s simple, but perfect to me. And frankly, it’s a food I couldn't live without. I’ve sampled my fair share of peanut butter brands, but the Once Again brand is my favorite. Here’s why.

Related: How to Choose the Healthiest Peanut Butter, According to Dietitians

Before I was a dietitian, I was a kid. And I spent my early childhood eating plenty of bologna sandwiches, but even more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I remember the anticipation of opening my brown paper bag at lunchtime, hoping that the sandwich wrapped in foil was peanut butter with grape jelly on white bread (and not the warm turkey and cheese sandwich that would sometimes be packed). Somehow, like fine wine, PB&J seemed to get better with time. If it was smashed or a little warm, well, that just added to its charm for me. While the jelly was good, it was the peanut butter I loved most. It was savory, creamy and just a little sweet. It was perfect.

My love of peanut butter continued into high school and even into college, when money was tight, but I needed something to fuel sports (I was a collegiate cyclist) and learning. As a nutrition major, I began to understand why peanut butter was such a great food. Nuts, like peanuts, are a great source of plant-based protein, exactly what I needed for fueling my active body and brain. They also have fiber and unsaturated fat to help fill me up and keep me satisfied for hours. I quickly learned from classes and reading nutrition labels that the creamy, sweet peanut butter of my childhood had added sugar and hydrogenated oils, which can be damaging to our health in excess. So I transitioned to “natural” peanut butter, which often means it’s made with just peanuts and salt. I learned to love the simplicity of that peanut butter and have been enjoying it that way ever since.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Peanut Butter Regularly

Now that you know how deep my relationship with peanut butter is, I hope you can trust me when I say that Once Again peanut butter is my absolute favorite of all store-bought peanut butters. I only shop the original line (not the “No-Stir”), and prefer their “lightly salted” option which has only 50 milligrams sodium per tablespoon serving. Both the creamy and crunchy varieties are delicious and I appreciate that they only contain two ingredients, peanuts and salt!

Unlike some other natural peanut butters, this one is easy to stir and once stirred, it’s a dream for spreading and enjoying. The flavor is perfectly peanut-y, with just the right amount of sweet warmth from being roasted. Beyond flavor, I also love that this peanut butter comes in a glass jar. The environment and the health of our planet is important, so I prefer glass versus plastic. Plus, once I’ve enjoyed every last bit of peanut butter, I can easily clean the jar and use it for storing leftovers, holding fresh flowers or recycling.

Whatever peanut butter you love, know that it’s a great addition to breakfasts like Spinach, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie or High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats. They’re a great addition to snacks like our Peanut Butter Energy Balls or even spread on a slice of celery, too. And you can even add them to dinners like our Roasted Tofu & Broccoli with Peanut-Curry Sauce. As a registered dietitian, peanut butter is something I’ll always have stocked in my pantry (and it’s usually the Once Again brand).

Read the original article on Eating Well.