Simple Ingredients, Better Nutrition: The Clean Label Advantage With PB2
Walk down any grocery store aisle today, and you'll notice something interesting happening—more and more consumers are flipping products over to read ingredient lists. They're looking for foods they can actually pronounce, ingredients they recognize, and products that feel closer to their natural state.
This shift toward clean label eating is more than a trend—it's a fundamental change in how we think about the food we fuel our bodies with every day. When it comes to peanut butter, this clean label movement is particularly important. Traditional peanut butters often contain a surprising array of additives, stabilizers, and processed ingredients that can make that simple "peanut butter" jar anything but simple. That's where PB2 shines as a clean label option, delivering pure peanut flavor with an ingredient list that's refreshingly straightforward.
PB2 Foods partner and registered dietitian, Amanda Holtzer, has some incredible insights about what eating a clean-label diet means and why choosing products like PB2 Pure and PB2 Original goes beyond reading labels—it's about making decisions that support your overall wellness journey.
What Does Clean Label Really Mean?
Before we explore the benefits, it's important to understand what we're actually talking about when we say "clean label." Amanda has a clear definition that cuts through the noise: "Clean label refers to foods and food products that are made with simple, recognizable, and whole food-based ingredients. Typically, foods that are considered clean label have a shorter ingredient list, and that ingredient list contains items that are generally known and recognizable."
To illustrate this concept, Amanda provides a perfect example using banana muffins. "If the ingredients on a banana muffin label are: flour, honey, bananas, apple sauce, eggs, and walnuts—this would be considered a clean label food," she explains. "However, if the ingredients on a banana muffin are: sugar, banana puree, bleached wheat flour, vegetable oil, eggs, molasses, food starch-modified (corn), whey dextrose, water, natural flavor, leavening, fructose, mono-and diglycerides, salt, potassium sorbate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, xanthan gum, sorbitan monostearate, cellulose gum, whey protein concentrate, polysorbate 60 and soy lecithin—this would not be considered a clean label food. The difference is that the second ingredient label is significantly longer and contains ultra-processed ingredients."
This distinction becomes even clearer when we look at everyday products like salad dressing. Amanda presents two options: "Salad dressing A contains water, distilled vinegar, soybean oil, sugar, salt, xanthan gum, garlic, onion, yeast extract, natural flavors, and annatto extract. Salad dressing B contains olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano. Which do you think is considered clean label?" The answer is obvious—salad dressing B wins with its simple, recognizable ingredients.
Why PB2 Original Is an Exceptional Clean Label Option
When we apply Amanda's clean label criteria to peanut butter, PB2 Pure represents the gold standard. "PB2 Pure would absolutely meet the criteria for clean label," Amanda confirms. "The ingredient list of PB2 Pure contains one ingredient—peanuts. It doesn't get much more clean label than that." Just one ingredient. PB2 Pure takes the concept of clean eating to its logical conclusion—pure roasted peanuts with absolutely nothing else added. No sugar, no salt, no additives of any kind. For those following specific dietary protocols, managing blood sugar, or simply seeking to include more clean products on their plate, PB2 Pure delivers peanut nutrition in its most unadulterated form.
PB2 Original also emerges as a standout choice. "The ingredient list for classic PB2 contains just three ingredients—roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. These ingredients are simple, well-known, and minimally processed,” says Amanda. The simplicity in both these PB2 products is particularly impressive when you consider what many traditional peanut butters contain. Some commercial varieties include palm oil, mono- and diglycerides, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, and various stabilizers to prevent oil separation. These ingredients serve functional purposes, but they also move the product further away from its whole food origins.
The Processing Advantage: Less is More
At PB2, our unique processing method also enhances the clean label benefits rather than detracting from them. By removing most of the oil naturally present in peanuts through our pressing process, we concentrate the protein content and dramatically reduce calories—all without including additives. The result is a product that delivers 90% less fat and 70% fewer calories than traditional peanut butter while maintaining 6 grams of protein per serving.
This approach contrasts sharply with heavily processed nut butter alternatives that may undergo multiple chemical treatments or the addition of synthetic stabilizers. PB2's method preserves the essential character of peanuts, cashews, or almonds— creating a more versatile product overall. Because it starts as a powder, you can control the consistency and customization for many different meals and kitchen applications. Mix with water for a classic peanut butter spread, blend into smoothies for protein boosts, or incorporate into baking and cooking for peanut flavor without excess oil. Fantastic flexibility means that one shelf-stable and clean-label product can replace multiple processed alternatives in your pantry, which also means less food waste—an important consideration in any efforts to eat more mindfully.
The Health Benefits of Choosing Clean Label
The benefits of choosing clean label products like PB2 Pure and PB2 Original extend far beyond ingredient transparency and processing method—though that's certainly important. When you opt for foods with shorter, more recognizable ingredient lists, you're making several positive choices for your health—all at the same time.
Reduced Processing Means Retained Nutrition: Clean-label products typically undergo less intensive processing, which means more of the original nutrition remains intact. Peanuts are naturally rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, niacin, and magnesium. When you choose a minimally processed option like PB2 Original, you're getting closer to the nutritional profile that nature intended.
Better Digestive Response: Many people discover that their digestive system responds better to foods with fewer additives and stabilizers. Clean-label products like PB2 Pure eliminate potential irritants that some individuals may be sensitive to, making them a more comfortable choice for people with sensitive stomachs or those following elimination diets.
Clearer Nutritional Decision-Making: When you can easily understand what's in your food, you can make more informed decisions about your overall eating patterns. PB2 Original's three-ingredient list makes it simple to understand exactly what you're consuming and how it fits into your nutritional goals.
Reduced Sodium and Sugar Load: While PB2 Original does contain a small amount of sugar and salt, these are added in measured amounts rather than the excessive quantities often found in heavily processed foods. This controlled approach helps you enjoy great taste without the blood sugar spikes or sodium overload that can come with more processed alternatives.
As more households prioritize ingredient transparency and whole food nutrition, products like PB2 Pure and PB2 Original represent the future of food manufacturing. By focusing on simple ingredients and minimal processing, we're proving that you don't have to sacrifice convenience, taste, or nutrition to maintain clean label standards. When you choose PB2, you're not just enjoying a nut butter alternative—you're choosing transparency, simplicity, and a commitment to clean label eating that supports your health journey every single day. Because when it comes to fueling your body, shouldn't you know exactly what you're putting into it?
