Getty Images Whether you’re looking for a quick sweet and salty snack or a way to add protein to your meal, nut butters are a healthy choice.
Nut butters are delicious, versatile and rich in healthy fats to keep you feeling full. They’re also a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But do all nut butter pack the same nutritional punch? What about peanut butter vs. almond butter?
They’re both rich, nutty and nutritious, but is peanut butter or almond butter is healthier? Does one have more protein or fewer calories? Dietitians share which one is the top pick and what to consider when choosing a nut butter. What is the healthiest nut butter?
It’s difficult to choose the healthiest nut butter based on the type of nut because they all have different nutritional values and benefits associated with them, explains Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and nutrition editor for TODAY.com.
That said, the healthiest nut butter, if you’re buying it and not making it yourself, will have fewer ingredients, minimal saturated fats and no added sugar or oils. “The healthiest version is just nuts and salt or unsalted, if you are watching your sodium intake,” says Rizzo.
Nut butter in its simplest form is a spread made from grinding up roasted nuts, sometimes with water, into a paste. Generally, nut butter is considered healthy when consumed in moderation and as part of an overall balanced, nutritious diet.
This is largely due to the high, plant-based protein and healthy fat content, which provides the body with energy and keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
Nuts are also rich in unsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, support heart and brain health, and aid in blood sugar control, Frances Largeman-Roth, author and registered dietitian nutritionist, previously told TODAY.com.
RELATED: Is peanut butter good for you? 2 tablespoons a day can provide these health benefits People who regularly eat nut butters have a lower risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes than those who do not include them in their diet, according to the American Heart Association .Nut butters are also rich in vitamins […]
Is peanut butter or almond butter healthier? There’s 1 major nutrition difference, dietitians say
