Buying Guide for Almond Butter Buying Guide
Nut butter made from ground almonds is commonly known as almond butter. Generally, almond butter is either "stirred" or "no-stirred," and is either crunchy or smooth. There is raw and roasted almond butter, but this refers to the almonds before they are ground. It is 99 percent fat in butter. Around 60% of it is saturated fat, which is unhealthy. In contrast, almond butter is packed with nutrition. This is a great source of protein, fiber, as well as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, as well as antioxidant phytochemicals.
Benefits of Almond Butter
Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Almond butter is high in monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and raise HDL or the good cholesterol.
Improves Heart Health
Almond butter contains nutrients that improve heart health and lower your risk for heart disease. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids can prevent irregular heart rhythms. Vitamin E may reduce plaque buildup in arteries. Your arteries can be improved with L-arginine.
Improves Bone Health
A tablespoon of almond butter contains 60 milligrams of calcium or 5% of the daily recommended intake. Calcium helps keep your bones strong. Additionally, the magnesium in almond butter helps you absorb calcium more effectively.
Lowers the Risk of Certain Conditions
Almond butter has more vitamin E than many other nut butter. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that could help prevent diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. Almond butter also has antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Almond Butters
Check the Ingredient List
When purchasing almond butter, always check the ingredient list. You should purchase a product with little or no added salt and sugar if you are watching your salt and sugar intake. If quality is of importance to you, choose USDA Organic or Non-GMO almond butter.
Flavor
Almond butter is available in many varieties, including classic or natural, vanilla, maple, and even chocolate-inspired. It is best to double-check the nutrition label before making your selection of flavored almond butter, since most of them contain added sugar. Unsweetened almond butter, which is low in sugar, is the best choice from a nutrition perspective.
Packaging
There are many ways to package almond butter. You can get it in glass jars, plastic jars, single-serve packets, or even pouches. If you're concerned about recycling or reusing jars, look for products made in glass. Single-serve squeeze packets of almond butter may be the most convenient option for those who eat on the go.
Storage
Almond butter can go rancid even though it's shelf-stable for two years when unopened. Refrigerating almond butter will extend its shelf-life up to twice as long and prevent it from going bad.
Conclusion
Almond butter is slightly healthier than peanut butter because it has more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Both nut butter is roughly equal in calories and sugar, but peanut butter has a little more protein than almond butter. While the fat content may scare the novice healthy snacker away, the quality of fat and nutrient content makes it a much better option than chips or pastries.
Some studies indicate consuming almond butter rather than peanut butter can lower and stabilize blood glucose. This helps to prevent spikes. Check out our featured section to know more. We review and recommend the leading brands based on taste, packaging, and ingredients.
