QH SENSATIONS
Nuts About Nut Butter… By Lynsey Riach
Start spreading the news…nut butter is the new toast-topper in town! But how do we know which one is best for us? And can we still eat peanut butter straight from the jar without feeling guilty?!
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uts are packed full of protein and loaded with Vitamin E and magnesium. Usually free from sugar and gluten, nut butters are especially good for those who are vegetarian or vegan. Now made popular as nut butter, you can grab the benefits of nuts on your toast, add as protein to a smoothie, stir into your porridge, or even provide a little more punch on a slice of apple or banana as a healthy snack. This new trend has popped up all over the internet and (thankfully) now in town. A few years ago it was quite difficult to find nut butter here but now most of our supermarkets (especially Monoprix) carry most of the different types of butters and a range of brands. Just don’t drop the jar when you see the price tag! Peanut butter has of course been around for a long time, popular with kids due to the fabricated taste, and popular with adults due to its economic cost. But that’s exactly why… Pick up a jar of cheap peanut butter and you’ll find it hard to pronounce
most of the ingredients in it. Just think, that’s what you’re putting into your body or your children’s. You are what you eat! A nut butter should have one ingredient and one ingredient only – the nut.
actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight-loss and increases energy levels. It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel fuller for longer. Show me the coco!
I’m obsessed with almond butter (made only from almonds) and my favourite producer is Meridian Foods who have reported a sales increase by 117% in the last year with demand for unusual nut butters such as almond and cashew at an all-time high. Other butters on the increase in popularity include coconut, walnut and hazelnut.
Walnut Butter
Almond Butter Just a tablespoon of almond butter a day promotes heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol, Perserving, it has one of the least amounts of calories, is a good source of protein, and has the most fibre of all of the nut butters. Oh, and almonds can play a key role in weight loss. Research has shown that a breakfast containing almonds may aid in stabilizing blood sugar levels for the rest of the day.
Peanut Butter
If you're looking for an almond butter alternative then give walnuts a go. They’re dense in Omega-3 fats that help trigger the hormone leptin that tells us we've had enough to eat. Omega-3 fats are particularly important as the diets of most individuals are tipped in balance of Omega-6 fats, and this leads to inflammation — the cause of most illness and weight gain.
Cashew Butter Cashew butter does supply significant amounts of other heart-healthy fats, essential amino acids and the dietary mineral magnesium, but it’s also highly calorific. Its protein to carbohydrate ratio makes cashew butter an appealing snack option if you're trying to adhere to a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
A serving of peanut butter has the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E, bone-building magnesium, muscle-friendly potassium and immunity-boosting Vitamin B6. Research shows that eating peanuts can decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
But Why So Oily?
Coconut Butter
Meridian Cashew Nut Butter Made from 100% roasted cashew nuts, this is particularly good on crumpets.
It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It
Nuts hold oil and this is a natural occurrence found in nut butters as the oil separates from the nut. Just pour the oil out when you first open the jar and be sure to always stir your nut butters before eating.
Some Of The Best Butters…
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ut Spread a dollop of this cashew cocon toast, banana butter on your morning crackers or even apple slices!
Pip & Nut Almond and Coconut Butter I was lucky enough to find a jar in Monoprix. I swiped it straight off the shelf laughing to myself (you’ve all done it!). Made from roasted almonds and toasted coconut, this one has been slightly sweetened with natural agave syrup and spiked with a sprinkling of sea salt. It’s a real tasty treat on top of toast.
Creamy almond butter is packed full of protein
Whole Earth Three-Nut Butter Made from cashews, peanuts and hazelnuts, this tastes rather like praline and is a really luxurious treat. The Wild Peanut Chili Peanut Butter If your loyalties lie with peanut butter, but you’d like a modern twist, then this spiced version, which has some added chili, is sure to do the trick. Biona Mixed Nut Butter This organic nut butter is packed full of four different nuts: peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, and nothing else. So no need to be confused by the choice out there, load up on protein and feel fuller, build stronger muscles and be good to yourself by feeding yourself good food! n Lynsey Riach is a qualified yoga instructor living and working in Doha normally found walking her pugs, on her yoga mat, or blending up fruit smoothies. To learn more about her services visit www.andstretchyoga.com.
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