Growing up, I only had two options in nut and seed butter. The first was the classic peanut butter that only came in smooth and only came in Skippy. Today, not only are there so many different varieties of nut and seed butter, but there are even more variations or versions within the broader categories.
So what was that second option that I had? It has been around for a while, and you may or may not know about it: Nutella, a chocolate and hazelnut spread made with skim milk. It was like getting desert for lunch, although the taste is not as sweet.
In addition to all of the varieties of nut and seed butter, many of them are also available in natural form and in organic form. What is the difference? Organic means that all of the ingredients were grown organically with no added pesticides, etc. Natural usually means that there is minimal processing and no artificial ingredients. Either way, your healthiest options contain no hydrogenated oils.
So what are some of the options in nut and seed butters beside the traditional peanut butter and the hazelnut spread? Take a look.
Almond Butter
You can get almond butter either smooth or crunchy, just like peanut butter. One of the benefits of almond butter is that it usually has half the amount of fat compared to peanut butter.
Justin’s makes a chocolate almond butter version that is rated pretty high in Whole Living Magazine.
Cashew Butter
Cashew butter isn’t just for sandwiches. Try it in your dinner dishes. Layer it with a little mustard on chicken, use it in a stir fry or bake it into cookies and quickbreads. Make sure to choose a cashew butter that is lower in sodium or you might find it a but too salty.
Sunflower Spread
Not usually called a “butter,” sunflower seed spread is a good choice for anyone who needs to stay away from peanuts and tree nuts. The whole seeds that are usually in these spreads may be off putting to kids at first, but the sweetness will probably win them over. Try it on toast.
Related Articles: