Butter is a dairy product with a yellow-white solid made from fats and protein contents of churned cream. The higher level of saturated and trans fats in butter can lead to more elevated cholesterol causing heart problems, and a lower level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or good cholesterol helps reduce the clogging in arteries. Butter is one of the highly concentrated forms of fluid milk.

Although butter contains a lot of cream fat, finding a healthier alternative type of butter can help lessen the adverse effects it may cause on one’s health. One of the healthier options of butter is almond butter. Experts consider it to be a healthier alternative to peanut butter.

Almond butter is a trendsetter type of butter for those opting for a healthier lifestyle, especially for people who like to lose weight and have lifestyle-related diseases. Almond butter is made from ground, roasted almonds, and the seeds of the Prunus dulcis tree. This type of tree grows pink or white flowers and bears fruit. Almonds are stone-like pits centered in the fruit.

Almond butter can be a spread or paste to sandwiches and an add-on savory recipe on dishes. Choosing the best almond butter in the market could be challenging, as there are many kinds of almond butter. Since selecting the right almond butter can be a handful mission, let us guide you through recommending types of almond butter products.

Health Benefits of Almond Butter

Although almond butter is high in calories, numerous health benefits, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, can be found in this product. Other health benefits include:

1. Heart Disease Prevention

Almond butter is rich in monounsaturated fats. This fat helps lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and increases good (HDL) cholesterol. Other nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, which are suitable for preventing irregular heart rhythm, are also present in almond butter.  

2. Blood Sugar Control

Almonds can help blood sugar and controls insulin level. The magnesium content in almond butter can help increase insulin sensitivity. This type of butter helps lower the risk of diabetes. Additionally, due to its high fiber content, almond butter is an appetite suppressor helpful to the diabetic patient to have food-intake control.

3. Lower other Risk Conditions

Almond butter has more Vitamin E compared to other nut products. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that could minimize the risk of diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. Also, almond butter has antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols.

How to Select the Right Almond Butter For You

To give you a clearer view of the different types of almond butter, we compared almond butter types readily available in the market.

Raw Almond Butter vs. Roasted

Raw means the food was not exposed to heat, which could change the food component. You could see jars made of natural almond butter. However, roasted almond butter products are also common in stores. Roasted means the almonds have undergone a dry-roasting process. Typically, the roasted ones are runnier and have less pronounced oil separation. As much as possible, it is better to choose raw almond butter for greater nutritional integrity. Almond products from Italy are a good choice as you can find authentic raw almonds in this country.

Pure Almond Butter versus with Additives

 The additive is one of the essential contents one should check before buying almond butter. For optimal health, you must ensure that the food you buy doesn’t contain as many harmful components as possible. Most of the time, high-quality, raw, and organic almond butter is pure and contains no additives. The most common additives are added oils, sweeteners, flavorings, and salt. None of the mentioned additives are ideal for a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, checking the product’s label is not a waste of time.

Glass or Plastic Jars

 Almond butter packed in jars is a healthier option than packed in plastic containers. Plastics contain petroleum-based chemicals that can leach out or be affected by heat and other reactions. Always never heat plastic or pour a hot substance into a plastic bottle or container.

Other Ways to Include Almond Butter in Your Diet

1. Making smoothies with almond butter
2. Mixing almond butter with soy sauce and honey for a dipping style 
3. Making brownies, cookies, and cakes with almond butter
4. Adding almond butter to oatmeal or granola

Conclusion

Almond butter is one of the best alternatives for peanut butter if one chooses a healthier way of living. Choosing from different varieties of almond butter can be a little overwhelming. Many brands contain only ground, roasted almonds. Some brands have added salt or sugar for flavor, some with “no-stir” varieties, and others with added oil, which keeps the almond butter from separating, making the texture smoother and spreadable. As almond butter contains healthy nutrients, anyone looking for a better product must add almond butter to the list.