The average sedentary person needs at least 46 grams of protein per day to meet their daily recommended nutritional consumption requirements. Age, sex, body type, and level of physical activity can make this number higher for many.
Getting enough protein in your diet is possible by establishing healthy eating habits. Some of the healthiest foods that are high in protein are almond butter and peanut butter. Both are vegan-friendly and packed full of nutrients.
Both can be incorporated into your healthy lifestyle as viable food options, but which is better? To answer this question, you first need to know more about each. Read on to find out all you need to know about almond vs. peanut butter.
Peanut Butter Fast Facts
Most people are familiar with peanut butter. This food paste consists of ground roasted peanuts, salt, oils, and sometimes additional additives. The purest forms of peanut butter have no additional additives.
Store-bought peanut butter may have emulsifiers, sweeteners, or other chemicals. The two varieties of peanut butter most people are familiar with are chunky and creamy. Chunky peanut butter contains residual peanut chunks.
Nutritional Information
Two tablespoons of peanut butter contain approximately 200 calories, 9 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and a gram or less of sugar. These amounts can vary per product.
These amounts are for unsalted peanut butter. They don’t take into account special ingredients that some recipes may add. Always refer to the nutritional information on the back of your product for the most accurate measurement.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Peanut butter is a good source of Vitamin E, an essential nutrient for a healthy immune system. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and B6 are also abundantly found throughout peanut butter. These help with cholesterol and inflammation.
In addition, peanut butter is an excellent source of Manganese and Magnesium. Both of these minerals are essential for strong muscles, bones, and overall wellness.
Pros of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a heart-healthy food, meaning that it helps maintain good cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Peanut butter is packed full of omega and amino acids. These are conducive to heart health.
The oleic acid present in peanut butter helps reduce insulin resistance in diabetes patients, making it a choice food for those that suffer from this disease. Its heavy antioxidant load is great for anti-cancer potential as well.
Cons of Peanut Butter
One of the biggest drawbacks of peanut butter is that many people with peanut allergies can’t consume it. For those allergic to peanuts, eating peanut butter can be fatal. Peanut butter is also high in calories and fat.
For people trying to watch their caloric or fat intakes, overconsumption of peanut butter is not the best option. Also, peanut butter contains a lot of phosphorus. Overconsumption of this leads to zinc and iron deficiencies.
Almond Butter Fast Facts
Almond butter is a type of food spread similar to peanut butter. The chief difference between the two is that the root ingredient of almond butter is roasted ground almonds. There are chunky and smooth varieties.
Like peanut butter, almond butter also contains oils, salts, and occasionally other additives. You can find artisan almond butter free of these things if you desire. You can find salt-free, vegan, or low-fat almond butter as well.
Nutritional Information
Two tablespoons of almond butter contain roughly 100 calories, 6 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and a little over 1 gram of sugar. These amounts can vary per product.
The nutritional content of almond butter makes it a great food for developing healthy eating habits. Fiber and protein are two essential parts of your diet that almond butter provides in abundance.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Almond butter is jam-packed full of crucial vitamins and minerals. It is a great source of Potassium, a vital nutrient crucial for your heart, kidneys, and every cell in your body. Almond butter is a great source of Calcium as well.
Calcium is essential for skeletal health. Like peanut butter, almond butter is a great source of the two essential nutrients Manganese and Magnesium. It has a high Vitamin E concentration and is high in Iron.
Pros of Almond Butter
Like peanut butter, almond butter is considered to be a heart-healthy food. In addition, its high levels of Iron make it a great food choice for people who suffer from anemia. There are many other health benefits of almond butter.
From boosting your brain health to helping damaged cells repair themselves, almond butter contains many of the nutrients your body needs to go the extra mile. Eating almond butter is a great addition to your wellness routine.
Cons of Almond Butter
Some people suffer from an almond allergy. For these people, almond butter is not a viable option and may even lead to a fatal allergic reaction. Almond butter also can be harder to find or more expensive than peanut butter.
While peanut butter is available at every supermarket across the country, almond butter is more of a niche food item. The good news is that many health food stores carry it. You can also order it online or make it yourself.
Which Is Better?
The idea of peanut butter or almond butter being superior is a subjective opinion. Some people like the taste of either or better. They both contain similar nutritional content and calories.
Almond butter has more Iron and Potassium. Peanut butter has more B Vitamins. Choose your option based on your vitamin requirements, taste preferences, or allergies.
You also may choose one based on price.
Use Both for Healthy Eating Habits
Healthy eating habits are all about finding the best foods to meet your wellness and dietary needs. Both peanut butter and almond butter have the nutrients and calories you need to live a healthy lifestyle. You can’t go wrong with either.
Use the information in this guide to determine what is best for your dietary routine. You may want to try both almond butter and peanut butter before making your decision. For other great news and info, check out our website!
