The iconic jar of peanut butter you may remember from your youth today faces stiff competition, raising the issue of which nut butter is the finest. It all comes down to your dietary choices when it comes to selecting a nut butter. But, if you're like me and can't decide which jar of nut butter to buy, here are some of the healthiest nut butter on the market.
What to look for when shopping for nut butters
If you're looking for nut butter, seek companies that solely include nuts as an ingredient. There are no extra oils, salt, or sugar in this recipe. Also, while eating nut butter, keep portion proportions in mind. Some nut butter variants contain fewer calories than others but keep to the recommended serving amounts for nut butters, which are generally two teaspoons.
Nut butters provide a lot of health advantages.
1. Almond butter
Almond butter is a terrific place to start if you're just beginning to branch out from your favourite jar of peanut butter. Almond butter has a texture and thickness comparable to peanut butter, with a subtle graininess from the almonds' inherent texture.
Almond butter, according to Bansari Acharya, a Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist with a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Food Science, is the healthiest of all the nut butters. It's one of the most nutrient-dense nut butters and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Two tablespoons of almond butter include 7 grammes of protein and 190 calories, as well as being a healthy source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E.
2. Cashew butter
Cashew butter is one of the creamiest nut butters, with a savoury but mildly sweet taste. Cashew butter offers 4 grammes of protein and 190 calories per two tablespoons and contains minerals including calcium. Cashew butter isn't the finest source of amino acids and protein, and it's heavy in carbs compared to other nut butters, according to Acharya, but that's not a reason to avoid it entirely. Cashew butter is a fantastic nut butter option for individuals who don't want to consume peanut butter since it contains legumes.
3. Hazelnut butter
Because let's be honest, Nutella is considerably more chocolate and processed sugar than genuine hazelnuts, hazelnut butter should not be mistaken with everyone's favourite chocolate hazelnut spread. Sorry for the bad news!
True hazelnut butter, like cashew butter, is a fantastic nut butter option for individuals who are allergic to peanuts. Hazelnut butter is an odd yet delightful spread that is completely devoid of natural sugars. It's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, just like almond butter.
Despite the fact that hazelnut butter has a lesser protein content than other nut butters, Acharya claims that it is a good source of copper, fibre, manganese, and vitamin E. Four grammes of protein and 180 calories are found in two tablespoons of hazelnut butter.
4. Macadamia nut butter
The protein level of macadamia nut butter is among the lowest of all nut butters, but if you're following a high-fat diet like Keto, you're in luck. The fat content of macadamia nut butter is greater than that of most other nut butters. Macadamia nut butter includes 3 grammes of protein and 195 calories per two tablespoons and is a strong source of magnesium and vitamin E.
5. Natural peanut butter
Compared to the conventional peanut butter you may have liked as a child, natural peanut butter (peanut butter that includes just peanuts and nothing else) is clearly the superior option. Although regular peanut butter is less expensive, many conventional peanut butter products are high in other oils and sugar.
Natural peanut butter, according to Acharya, has the greatest protein content of any nut butter. It also has a low carbohydrate content and is high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Peanut butter has 8 grammes of protein and 190 calories in two teaspoons.
6. Pecan butter
Pecan butter has a gritty, but silky texture, comparable to almond butter. Pecan butter has a lower protein content than other nut butters due to its greater fat and calorie content. It also has a good quantity of fibre and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Pecan butter has 4 grammes of protein and 213 calories in two teaspoons.
7. Pistachio butter
Pistachios. You either love or loathe pistachios, but if you do, you'll enjoy pistachio butter. This beautifully coloured nut butter has a gorgeous green tint and is quite sweet. If you're searching for a potassium source other than bananas, Acharya recommends pistachio butter, which is high in potassium, fibre, and protein. Pistachio butter has 4 grammes of protein and 213 calories in two teaspoons.
8. Walnut butter
Walnut butter contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory qualities. With the exception of pecan butter, walnut butter has a lower protein content than other nut butters. There are 3 grammes of protein and 174 calories in two tablespoons of walnut butter.
Replace your favourite nut butter with something different the next time you go grocery shopping, and get the advantages of nut butter.
