The 10 Unhealthiest Nut Butters on Grocery Shelves

While nut butters can be a nutritious addition to your diet, some varieties on grocery shelves are laden with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and unnecessary additives. Here are ten of the unhealthiest nut butters you might encounter:

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

While delicious, many chocolate hazelnut spreads are packed with added sugars and unhealthy fats, making them more of a dessert spread than a nutritious choice. These ingredients can significantly increase calorie intake and contribute to health issues if consumed frequently.

Cookie Butter

Often made from ground-up cookies, cookie butter tends to be high in sugar and unhealthy fats, lacking the nutritional benefits of whole nuts. This type of spread is more akin to a sweet treat than a healthy snack, offering minimal nutritional value.

Peanut Butter with Added Sugars

Some peanut butter brands add sugars and other sweeteners to their products, increasing their calorie and sugar content without adding any nutritional value. These added ingredients can negate the health benefits of the nuts themselves.

Almond Butter with Added Oils

Some almond butter varieties include added oils to improve texture and flavor, but these oils can be high in unhealthy fats, increasing the overall calorie and fat content of the nut butter. This can make them a less healthy option compared to natural almond butters.

Cashew Butter with Added Sugars

Similar to peanut butter, some cashew butter brands add sugars and sweeteners, making them less healthy choices compared to natural, unsweetened varieties. These added sugars can contribute to increased calorie consumption and potential weight gain.

Macadamia Nut Butter

While macadamia nuts are delicious, their butter counterparts can be high in saturated fats, which may contribute to heart health concerns if consumed in excess. The high fat content can also make this nut butter calorie-dense.

Coconut Butter

While coconut butter is popular in some health circles, it’s extremely high in saturated fats, which may raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in large amounts. Moderation is key when including this butter in your diet.

White Chocolate Peanut Butter

Combining the unhealthy aspects of white chocolate with peanut butter, this spread tends to be high in sugar and unhealthy fats, making it one of the less healthy nut butter options. It’s more of a dessert spread than a nutritious food.

Cinnamon Sugar Almond Butter

While cinnamon adds flavor without calories, many cinnamon sugar almond butter varieties include added sugars, increasing their calorie and sugar content. This can make them a less ideal choice for a healthy diet.

Toffee Crunch Peanut Butter

Similar to other flavored peanut butters, toffee crunch peanut butter tends to be high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, making it one of the least healthy options on the market. These additives can significantly reduce the nutritional value of the product.