If there's something no diet is ever going to get me to forsake, it's peanut butter. Unfortunately though, health practitioners have a point: this ultra-fatty food can be hard on your body by eating a lot of wrong kind. While natural peanut butter contains fat in the peanuts, the traditional brands normally have added hydrogenated oils, such as vegetable and soybean oils.

What Are Hydrogenated Oils?

Hydrogenated oils are like the corn syrup from the processed fats category. They've been chemically engineered for shelf stability – not your arteries. They contain trans fats, that have been associated with coronary heart and diabetes.

This kind of fat is tricky. Because of its complexity, the body have a harder time breaking it down and becoming it. The result is that junk foods like some peanut butters add fats to our bodies that we have a REALLY hard time getting rid of.

What's the Deal With Palm Oil?

Palm oil is another fat I like to avoid when it comes to peanut butter, though for different reasons. Unfortunately, palm oil is harvested in regions rich in tropical rainforests, where palm tree plantations can thrive to satisfy the insane interest in this oil.

The issue is that as demand from customers has soared for palm oil, farmers during these regions have begun clearing rainforests to create room for more palm oil plantations. Species like orangutans and the Bornean rhinos are now being forced from their habitats.

In 2006 alone, the Centre for Orangutan Protection asserted at least 1,500 orangutans were clubbed to death by plantation workers, who often regard them as pests within their plantations.

Peanut Butters With Clean Ingredients:

Thankfully, there are SO MANY fantastic alternatives on the market to your typical plastic jar of Jif, and I've become obsessed with locating the perfect one.

#1 – Adams Peanut Butter

Organic: No

Ingredients: Peanuts, salt

No-Stir: No

Price on Amazon: $0.71/ounce

Although a bit around the bland side, I love the simplicity Adams Peanut Butter – just peanuts and salt. They have a creamy no-stir formula, but to prevent the palm oil I go for the natural creamy one.

Fair warning, it is messy to stir, so set the jar on the paper towel before beginning. But when you have the entire jar made, you can throw it in the refrigerator to keep the mixture smooth and able to use.

#2 – Spread the romance Organic Peanut Butter

Organic: Yes

Ingredients: Peanuts

No-Stir: No

Price on Amazon: $0.81/ounce

If you're worried about getting an organic peanut butter, Spread the romance checks all the boxes. This really is another one that you'll have to stir the oil back to. Whether it still feels just a little runny, again, just leave it in the refrigerator for some hours, and it'll firm up a little more.

#3 – Classic Peanut Butter by Justin's

Organic: No

Ingredients: Peanuts, palm oil

No-Stir: Yes

Price on Amazon: $0.29/ounce

Justin's makes some incredible nut butters (seriously, you have not lived until you've tried the Maple Almond Butter). The company partcipates in sustainability initiatives to ensure their ingredients are mindfully sourced, though that one does contain palm oil.

However, if you are seeking a far more natural peanut butter that does not require stirring, this is a good starting point.

#4 – CoNUT Butter – Peanut

Organic: No

Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, organic cold-pressed coconut oil, organic raw honey, sea salt

No-Stir: Yes

Price: $1.00/ounce

This tiny brand is much more treat-worthy than spread it on a sandwich style peanut butter. It's produced in ultra-small batches by a little company in New Orleans and is ever so slightly sweetened with organic raw honey.

#5 – MaraNatha Organic Peanut Butter

Organic: Yes

Ingredients: Organic peanuts, organic palm oil, organic evaporated cane sugar, sea salt

No-Stir: Yes

Price on Amazon: $0.63/ounce

Another peanut butter with a sweetener added, this one's not the healthiest with added palm oil and evaporated cane sugar. However, the no-stir varieties typically have a more shelf-stable oil added, so expect that if you want the convenience of no-stir, you're probably going to find palm oil.

That said, this one is creamy, sweet, and thus ready for spreading on toast.

Do you've got a favorite peanut butter brand? Inform us yours on social networking and tag us within the post! @AvocadoMattress & #AvocadoGreenMagazine