Going nuts about how to make your vegetarian diet equally nutritious as non-veg diet?
It is true that since vegetarians avoid meat and egg, it limits their intake of certain nutrients. But we have got you covered, in a rather delicious way! Did you know that 1-oz (28-gram) serving of nuts contains 5–12 grams of protein, which is as good as meat infused diet? So how about including the oh-so-delicious range of nut butters in your regular diet? Well, we are lucky to survive in an era when nut butters need not necessarily be the good old peanut butter, but we have options like cashew butter, almond butter, and hazelnut butter.
Need more reasons to convince yourself? Here are 10 reasons why you should include nut butter in your diet:
- Nuts butters are nutritious and are rich in protein, folic acid, niacin, copper, potassium, iron, fibre, zinc, selenium, vitamin E and B6 and contain a good amount of antioxidants, making them a good alternative to protein-rich animal products.
- Nut butters can make for a perfect filling snack for vegetarians if combined with fruits or toast and can fuel your body for hours. Say goodbye to unhealthy snacking.
- Almond butter is a good source of calcium, healthy fats and protein, which helps your body to absorb certain vitamins. It is a great source of vitamin B7 as well, which is essential to help your body process the fat, sugar, and protein intake. It also helps keep your blood sugar stable and your skin healthy.
- The high protein and fibre in nut butter keep you full and active, helping you consume lesser calories and lose weight. It can be used as a post-workout snack as well.
- A good dose of flavonoids, phenols, polyphenols, and other substances in nut butter help protect your cells, keep your heart healthier and protect against colon cancer.
- Nut butter aids in cholesterol control, eliminating health issues such as hardening of arteries that lead to stroke.
- Nut butter contains a great amount of magnesium which is good for your nerves, muscles, bones, blood sugar, blood pressure, and even your genetic material, or DNA.
- Peanut butter helps decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Moreover, iron and folate in it help prevent anaemia which is extremely important for a healthy pregnancy. It contains potassium which is good for your muscles, magnesium for your bones, vitamin E for your skin and to fight cancer, and vitamin B6 and zinc for your immune system. Also, it helps you to sleep well!
- If you have a sweet tooth and often suffer from guilty sweet consumption, switch to a spoon full of cashew butter instead. The naturally sweet-tasting nut butter acts as a great dessert along with all its nutritional goodness. It is one of the best sources of monounsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, and magnesium which are beneficial for blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol control, bone health, the immune system, and metabolism. Also, put an end to your hunt for eggless desserts.
- In a high-pressure environment, peanut butter can be turned into diamonds. Imagine what wonder it can do to your body!
With all being said, you must also note that overconsumption of heavily processed nut butter can have an adverse effect on your body. Here is little information for you:
FAQs
Why are nut butters good for you?
Nut butters are loaded with minerals like selenium and manganese, phenols, polyphenols, vitamins C and E, flavonoids and more, which work as a team to help protect human cells.
Which nut butters are the healthiest?
All nut butter are good if consumed at proper amount, based on the needs of individual body needs. Find out yours from the list of nutritional facts from our range of nut butters (of serving size of 30 g).
Peanut Butter
Energy (kcal): 241
Protein (g): 11.5
Carbohydrates (g): 7.5
Sugar (g): 2.4
Total Fat (g): 18.3
Almond Butter
Energy: 190.3 kcal
Protein: 7.3 g
Carbohydrate: 6.5 g
Sugar: 1.3 g
Total Fat: 15 g
Hazelnut Butter
Energy (kcal): 220.9
Protein (g): 6.7
Carbohydrates (g): 13.2
Sugar (g): 0.8
Total Fat (g): 15.6
Cashew Butter
Energy (kcal): 110.6
Protein (g): 3.6
Carbohydrates (g): 6
Sugar (g): 1.2
Total Fat (g): 8.8
Is nut butter healthier than peanut butter?
Well, peanut butter is the oldest form of nut butter consumed. But then some suffer from allergies. Almond butter has more vitamins, minerals, and fiber but peanut butter has more protein than almond butter. While both the nut butters are roughly equal in calories and sugar. So it is completely up to your body needs.
Are nut butters bad for cholesterol?
Wait for it… The answer is NO. Because not all delicious food needs to be unhealthy. Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and hazelnut butter is loved by all and also good for all. As long as the nut butters don’t contain hydrogenated fat, you are good to go. But keep a check over the quantity.
Is it okay to eat peanut butter everyday?
I know it is hard to keep off your hands from the jar full this heavenly deliciousness. So here is a win-win condition…how about a very small portion now and then?
Is almond butter inflammatory?
It is actually the opposite.
Also, unblanched and unroasted nut butter is ideal as a great portion of the nutrition gets diffused while roasting or blanching them. Thus, always look for natural nut butter.
Where can you find 100% Natural Nut Butters?
In our quest to find delicious and healthy nut butters we realised that most of the products that we buy from the shelves have high levels of added sugars, fats and god knows what. Instead of the goodness and benefit from the nut, by consuming those products you might end up doing more harm to yourself than benefit.
When our creator’s frustrations level rose up, we asked him to design perfect nut butters minus all the artificial things that popular brands were adding to them. The results were awesome and now we have an array of delicious and healthy nut butter, right here at Masala Monk.
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter
The name itself gives it away. The goodness of almonds combined with all-natural cocoa powder makes for a perfect snacking partner. It has no added fats, colour enhancers or preservatives. Spread on pancakes, use as a topping or for baking, blend in shakes, pair with fruits, or just lick off a spoon.
Home-Made Cashew Nut Butter
Your gluten-free dessert partner! Be it on a well-toasted slice of bread, in your favourite smoothie bowl, on top of your favourite oatmeal, or your before gym snack, this cashew butter packs flavour and will tingle your taste buds with its nutty flavour.
100% Natural Almond Butter
Use it as a topping on oats, parfaits, or flavoured yoghurt. This KETO friendly, vegan and gluten-free nut butter is made using only one ingredient – almonds. There is no added sugar, no added oil and of course and no added preservatives. A jar full of just homemade love and nutrition.
Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
Made using just Turkish Hazelnuts and the best quality cocoa powder, this nut butter spread can be one of the most delicious healthy condiment you can add to your diet. With no added sugar, fat or preservative, this product is apt for KETO or vegan-friendly diet.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
The good old peanut butter with a chocolaty twist! Made keeping in mind chocolate lovers, this jar of deliciousness has all the goodness of peanut butter with just the added taste of chocolate. Spread it on a well-toasted slice of any bread, use it as a dessert sauce, spread on pancakes, cakes, and of course just pick a spoon and lick!
Peanut Butter
We all love peanut butter. But while some like it creamy, some like it chunky. We don’t want to disappoint any. Thus we have the option for both. This home churned stuff has a very simple ingredient – peanuts and nothing else. Blended to suit your preferred texture, this jar of peanut butter will take care of your health and taste both.
And did we tell you how good all of these actually taste? So go away and enjoy those nut butters while helping yourself build a better yourself.
