August 22, 2014
Sneaky Meat-Free Proteins #7: Nut Butters
Peanut butter is a food that everyone loves, and almond butter is it's lesser-known but equally delicious cousin. All nut butters are excellent sources of protein, provided you don't overdo it!
Nut butters contain up to 4 grams of protein per tablespoon, and there are about two tablespoons to a serving. In one PB Sandwich, you get about 8 grams of protein--not bad!
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Source: archive.tennessean.com[/caption]
All nut butters offer pretty awesome health benefits, including:
Lots of healthy fiber -- Dietary fiber is necessary for a healthy heart, healthy circulation, healthy elimination, and a healthy digestive tract. Thankfully, nuts are LOADED with fiber.
Plenty of natural fats -- The unsaturated fats in nuts are EXCELLENT for weight loss, and they have been proven to help quash hunger pangs.
Loaded with phytochemicals -- According to the American Cancer Society, the phytochemicals in nut butters can help to fight a number of types of cancer.
Almond butter is definitely the best of the nut butters, but peanut butter ranks in at a close second. You can also try walnut butter, hazelnut butter, cashew butter, or even macadamia butter!