Almond or peanut butter: Which one’s better?
LOADED WITH GOOD FATS, PROTEIN, AND FIBRE, NUT BUTTERS ARE ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST FOODS ON THE PLANET.
Almond butter is garnering attention among the health-conscious lately. The most popular among nut butters – other varieties being walnut, cashew, hazelnut butter – almond butter might seem like the next food fad, but it has some serious health benefits. For starters, it is a good source of magnesium, vitamin E, potassium, and selenium.
WHAT IS NUT BUTTER?
Nut butter a spreadable paste made by grinding nuts to a smooth creamy consistency. Contrary to what the name suggest, it doesn’t actually contain any butter and, hence, is dairy-free, says Ankita Maniktala Kukreja, a certified nutritionist.
According to Kukreja, almond butter and other nut butters are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. “They contain heart-healthy fats, protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals. Apart from being one of the most abundant form of plant-based protein, they also enhance brain function and promote healthy skin,” she says.
PEANUT BUTTER VS ALMOND BUTTER
In terms of protein, fat, and calories, the two are almost identical twins, says dietician Anupam Dey. Both weigh in at around 200 calories, 17 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fibre, and about 8 grams of protein for two tablespoons.
However, the big difference between the two is their micronutrient content. “Almond butter is loaded with one of the good fats, containing 50% more monounsaturated fat, which helps lower blood cholesterol,” says Dey.
Peanut butter, on the other hand, contains almost two times the Omega-6 fatty acids. “Both are nutrient-dense foods, but in the spirit of ‘healthy’ competition, the winner is almond butter. However, if it’s taste that we’re talking about, that’s a matter of personal preference,” says Dey.