Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world — found in everything from cookies to cosmetics to peanut butter. But it’s also one of the most controversial.

Many nut butter brands use palm oil to prevent oil separation and improve texture. NuttZo doesn’t. Here’s why — and what you should know about palm oil’s nutritional and environmental impact.

What Palm Oil Does in Nut Butters

Palm oil acts as a stabilizer — it keeps the oil from rising to the top of the jar and makes spreads stay creamy.

From a food science standpoint, that’s convenient. But nutritionally, palm oil behaves differently from the healthy fats naturally found in nuts and seeds.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explains:

“Foods high in ‘good’ fats — monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — include nuts, seeds, fish, and vegetable oils such as olive, canola, and sunflower. Some plant-based fats such as coconut oil and palm oil are rich in saturated fat and should be limited.”

Why Saturated Fat Still Matters

Palm oil isn’t as harmful as trans fats — but it’s not the same as the unsaturated fats in almonds, cashews, or chia seeds either.

The American Heart Association notes:

“Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can be a heart-healthy (and delicious!) choice.”

In other words: it’s not that palm oil is terrible — it’s just not as beneficial as the plant-based fats already in nuts and seeds.

NuttZo’s blends skip palm oil altogether because their natural mix of nuts and seeds already provides healthy, stable fats that create a creamy consistency — no additives required.

The Environmental Side of Palm Oil 🌍

Beyond health, palm oil carries serious environmental concerns.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF):

“Unsustainable palm oil production is a major driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. It threatens wildlife like orangutans, elephants, and rhinos, and contributes to climate change.”

While efforts like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) promote certified sustainable palm oil, global compliance remains uneven — and consumers increasingly prefer products that avoid it altogether.

By choosing palm-oil-free spreads, you help reduce demand for an ingredient linked to habitat loss and carbon emissions.

The Taste & Texture Tradeoff

Without palm oil, natural nut butters may separate slightly — that thin layer of oil on top is a sign of purity, not a flaw.

Simply stir before using and store at room temperature for easy spreading. The payoff:

• No hidden additives

• Naturally balanced fats

• Cleaner flavor that highlights the nuts and seeds themselves

The Cleveland Clinic underscores why this matters:

“Nuts and seeds contain protein and other nutrients your body needs for energy and repair.”

By keeping ingredients minimal, palm-oil-free blends preserve the nutritional integrity of those natural fats and micronutrients.

Comparing Popular Nut Butters

(Values based on 2 Tbsp servings; check individual labels.)

FAQs

Why do most nut butters use palm oil?

It stabilizes the texture and prevents oil separation — especially in mass-market spreads.

Is palm oil bad for you?

Not necessarily. But it’s higher in saturated fat than the unsaturated fats found in nuts and seeds. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says palm oil should be limited, while nuts and seeds are a source of heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

Why is NuttZo palm-oil-free?

Because its natural blend of nuts and seeds already creates a creamy, nutrient-rich spread — no need for added stabilizers.

Is palm-oil-free better for the environment?

Yes. Avoiding palm oil helps reduce demand for unsustainable plantations, which the WWF identifies as a key driver of deforestation and habitat destruction.

Bottom Line

Palm oil isn’t inherently “bad” — but it’s unnecessary when nature already provides healthier, more sustainable fats in nuts and seeds.

By choosing palm-oil-free blends like NuttZo, you’re supporting:
❤️ Heart health — more unsaturated fats, fewer additives
🌎 Environmental sustainability — less deforestation, more biodiversity
💚 Nutrient integrity — cleaner ingredients that let real flavor shine

A small choice — your morning spoonful — can have a global impact.