I am a huge fan of almond butter. I feed it to my toddler daughter, put it in my smoothies, enjoy it on toast or apples and use it to satisfy my cravings for sweets. When people are in my home, and I offer almond butter, I sometimes get a weird look. They will ask what almond butter is, or if I meant to say peanut butter. So, I wanted to do a post on almond butter, and some of the health benefits of this awesome food.
Almonds are my favorite nut. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, vitamin E, iron, calcium and magnesium. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat, which is considered a “healthy” fat. They are also a great source of protein. Recent studies have shown that almonds have a number of health benefits, including reducing LDL cholesterol and promoting cardiovascular health. Almond butter is simply a butter that is made with almonds.
I have nothing against peanut butter, but I have come to prefer almond butter, which has become more popular in recent years. When comparing fat and calories between the two, the difference is negligible. However, almond butter does contain more nutrients than peanut butter, and research has shown that almonds are more filling than peanuts.
In my personal experiences, I have found that it is easy to find almond butter without added sugar and preservatives. Unfortunately, many of the big peanut butter brands add sugar and other additives, which takes away from the health benefits of peanut butter. Also, peanuts tend to be overgrown and highly processed in this country, so its best to use organic peanut butter if you can find it.
Truthfully, almond and peanut butter are a filling, relatively healthy snack, and I have both in my kitchen. The most important thing is to look at the ingredient list, and try to choose a butter with minimal additives.
In the battle of the butters, almond butter definitely wins due to higher nutritional content. So, even if you are a peanut butter fan, give the almond butter a try. Let me know what you think!
I love both!