Whether you're looking to get in shape or just maintain a healthful lifestyle, a carefully chosen nut butter can really help. Tasty, filling, and satisfying, they can bridge the gap between meals and be added to a wide range of foods and even smoothies! From almond butter made from 100% almonds to organic multi-nut blends flavoured with yummy ingredients like cacao and agave, there's a healthy nut butter to suit everyone.
In this buying guide, we'll share the tastiest nut butter with the highest protein to buy in the UK from Amazon, Tesco and Asda. Spoons at the ready! Moreover, we have partnered with Nutritionist Tara Corbett for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.
Quick List - Top Healthy Nut Butter
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
Key Points to Consider
It's worth noting that not all peanut butters are created equally, as the average crunchy peanut butter can contain around a gram more fibre than its smoother counterpart. Eating a diet high in fibre is especially important for a healthy gut, stabilising blood sugars, and can even help with weight loss. Crunchy PB also contains less saturated fat than smooth, which is important if weight loss and overall heart health is a top priority.'
Plus, although peanut butter generally provides a significant amount of protein, the smooth stuff contains slightly more. Smooth PB also has more of the antioxidant vitamin E which helps protect cells and strengthens the immune system. It's more likely palm oil, or another type of oil, will be used in the production of smooth peanut butter, so look out for any additives.
If you love the taste, take a look at some more of our favourite peanut butters!
Another very popular type of nut butter, almond butter can be seen as slightly healthier than peanut butter as it has more vitamins, minerals, and fibre, and contains more healthy, monounsaturated fat – and less of the saturated kind.
In fact, almond butter has a great balance of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help to decrease instances of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, according to research studies.
Rich, creamy, and naturally sweet, cashew butter tastes incredible on toast, apples, in smoothies or just straight out of the jar. You may see it as a more unusual but butter choice but in fact, it actually pairs well with other foods just like peanut butter does, and brings a delicate nuttiness to sweet or savoury meals and snacks.
Cashew butter is nutrient-dense and packed with protein, calcium, iron, vitamin E, riboflavin and healthy fats such as oleic acid. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels in the body and the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help protect your heart.
Although hazelnuts contain high amounts of calories, they provide an abundance of nutrients and healthy fats. Rich in vitamin B6, phosphorus, folic acid, zinc and potassium, hazelnuts are bursting with mono and polyunsaturated fats, which helps reduce inflammation in the body.
The high content of antioxidants in hazelnuts protects against oxidative stress and is beneficial for heart health and even to prevent cancer. Hazelnut butter is decidedly healthy, however, some find the taste slightly bitter. Hazelnuts that have been blended with the skins on are higher in fibre but taste more bitter than those without.
If you're feeling adventurous and want something more exciting, choose nut butter with some additional ingredients like agave syrup or sea salt. Some have a coconut base instead of using palm oil, and others use coconut meat. The addition of seeds, dates, ground coffee, cacao or even apricots creates complex, decadent flavours for a moreish treat that is still very healthful.
Choose nut butters that have been flavoured with natural ingredients and avoid those that contain refined sugars or syrups. Although flavoured varieties can be both delicious and fun, bear in mind that additional ingredients can bump up the calories and the sugar content.
It's always best to avoid preservatives and additives, so the best options for healthy nut butters are only those with all-natural ingredients and as close to 100% all nuts as possible.
It's best to avoid refined sugars or syrups, as they send the sugar content through the roof and consuming too much of them can have a negative impact on your overall health. Agave syrup is a healthier option, but keep your eye on your serving size as added sugar of any kind can still add extra calories.
Like your nut butter with a hint of salt? Be sure to go for products using natural sea salt rather than table salt for more minerals and make sure your jar contains less than 1 g of salt per 100 g to keep things in balance.
Why not take a look at some other healthy snacks available online?
Palm oil is a pretty controversial foodstuff, both in terms of the environment and your health. The consumption of palm oil is increasing and in order to accommodate plantations in places such as Malaysia and Indonesia, tropical forests and peatland are being destroyed, which in turn threatens the survival of endangered species such as orangutans.
However, some nut butter brands contain sustainable palm oil, which means the brands must be careful to source certified, sustainable palm oil and to work closely with producers. The jury is still out on whether consuming sustainable palm oil is a good enough alternative, or whether it's best to try and avoid it altogether.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Meridian Smooth Almond Butter | ![]() | The Purest, Healthiest Choice Made From 100% Almonds | |
2 | Pip & Nut Coconut Almond Butter | ![]() | A Luxurious Recipe With All-Natural Ingredients | |
3 | Proper Nutty Nowt but Nuts Peanut Butter | ![]() | A Tasty Combo of Smooth and Crunchy | |
4 | Biona Organic Mixed Nut Butter | ![]() | A Nutritious Blend Of Organically-Grown Nuts | |
5 | Nutcessity 'Try Me' Pack|Pack of 5 | ![]() | Peanut-Free Butter in 5 Exciting Flavours | |
6 | Meridian Smooth Cashew Butter | ![]() | A Smooth, Thick and Creamy Peanut Alternative | |
7 | Biona Organic Hazelnut Butter | ![]() | Made From Small Batches of Freshly Roasted, Organic Hazelnuts | |
8 | Bulk Natural Roasted Peanut Butter | ![]() | High Protein PB From a Leading Sports Nutrition Brand | |
9 | Zeina Almond Butter | ![]() | Made in the UK by a Family-Owned Brand | |
10 | Whole Earth Smooth Organic Peanut Butter | ![]() | A Good Source of Fibre and Protein |
Sometimes clean and simple is all you need, and Meridian's smooth almond butter doesn't disappoint. Made from nothing but 100% almonds, it is high in vitamin E, protein and fibre, making it a good everyday choice and our number one healthy nut butter.
Meridian are a UK company that doesn't fly their ingredients and believe that great taste doesn't have to cost the earth. As a natural, sustainably made nut butter without any nasties, this is one of the best out there! Choose from a smaller jar or a larger 1 kg tub to keep your cupboard stocked and save on packaging while you're at it.
Pip & Nut have really hit the spot with this slightly sweet and salty nut butter that's incredibly moreish. It's made from a palm-oil-free blend of almond and coconut and provides a natural source of vitamin E and magnesium. The large 1 kg tub will last for ages too, especially if you're adding it to a daily smoothie or using it for baking.
Agave syrup and sea salt are also added to the blend, which possibly makes it a teeny bit less versatile as a cooking ingredient. But it's perfect for enriching healthy meals and snacks with a bit of luxury, and it's still one of the healthiest indulgences we can think of!
We're pretty excited about the Nowt but Nuts Peanut Butter from Proper Nutty, and its smunchy texture. Smunchy – meaning not quite smooth but not quite crunchy – is their ingenious creation and it's just perfect.
Made in a little factory in Huddersfield, Proper Nutty is Yorkshire's first artisan peanut butter, using high-quality peanuts sourced from Argentina. It's nothing but nuts, absolutely delicious, and it comes in a recyclable jar too!
The second Biona offering on our list, this mixed nut butter contains peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and almonds – with nothing else added. Harnessing the individual characteristics of each type of nut makes for a nice change from the usual jars.
This jar is an excellent source of protein and slightly lighter than peanut butter, plus, the nutritious combination of nuts provides lots of other vitamins and minerals such as manganese and vitamin B6. Sweet as a nut!
For those who eat a lot of nut butter as part of their diet and are looking to spice things up a bit with some decadent new flavours, Nutcessity's 'Try Me' Pack has got you sorted. This 5-jar pack features delicious-sounding flavours like Choc Haz Braz, Caromel Cashew and Gingerbread Almond amongst other tempting combos.
Nutcessity specialises in nut butter and these unconventional offerings prove that you can keep things exciting while being healthy. With a coconut oil base, these jars are totally peanut-free which is perfect for those with allergies. Divine!
Meridian truly are nut butter connoisseurs and their smooth cashew butter is totally dreamy. Made from 96% cashews with a dash of sunflower oil, it has a perfectly smooth texture that you're sure to love.
The nuts are roasted, creating a savoury taste, and the creaminess is divine. Those who avoid peanuts will find this cashew butter a great alternative, and it works well on celery, in smoothies or even as part of a dip or sauce.
Tired of the classic nut butter options? Then take a peek at this Organic Hazelnut Butter from health food experts, Biona. It's milled from small batches of freshly roasted, organic hazelnuts with no added oils, emulsifiers, salt, or sugar at all.
Great spread on toast or mixed into porridge, it's creamy, smooth and easy to spread! The distinct sweetness of hazelnuts also works well in baking recipes using cacao, so be sure to pair them together for a match made in heaven.
Bulk are known for their expertise in sports nutrition and foods for fitness, including protein powders and vitamins. So it's no surprise their popular and highly rated Natural Roasted Peanut Butter made it into our list.
Made from 100% roasted whole peanuts, it doesn't contain palm oil, salt, or any other additives, making it a healthy and natural choice. High in protein and a source of fibre, this crunchy PB is not only very moreish but it'll give you lots of energy for a workout session as well.
If you're looking for a large quantity of smooth roasted almond butter, check out this offering from Zeina. Made from 100% nuts, there is no salt, sugar or oil added, making it a very healthy choice indeed.
Zeina are a family-owned, UK-based company founded in 1983 who specialise in nut products such as cashew butter, pistachio butter and nut snack bags. Although one of the healthiest choices on the list, their almond butter can become quite thick and dry, so you'll probably need to mix it well every time it's opened.
We couldn't create a ranking of the best healthy nut butters without including something from Whole Earth, and their smooth organic variety is one of the best out there. Smooth PB isn't always as healthy as crunchier varieties, but this one is made with natural and organic ingredients, making it both nutritious and nom-worthy.
A good source of protein and fibre, it's made from 91% roasted organic peanuts. It does contain palm oil, but the organic sustainable variety, however, it may be best to avoid palm oil altogether if you can. The sprinkle of sea salt adds to the flavour, but it does contain slightly more of it compared to other jars.
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Meridian|Smooth Almond Butter
No. 2: Pip & Nut|Coconut Almond Butter
No. 3: Proper Nutty|Nowt but Nuts Peanut Butter
No. 4: Biona Organic|Mixed Nut Butter
No. 5: Nutcessity|'Try Me' Pack|Pack of 5
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