Nut butter may sound like a rather disgusting euphemism but thankfully, that’s not what we’re talking about here.
Rather, nut butter is anything like peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter. You know, butter made from nuts. And as it happens, this type of butter – when you’re not adding salt – is actually super good for you and especially for your gains. So what makes it so good for you and why should you add it to your diet?
Well basically, because nut butter is almost a complete food all in itself and provides you with protein, carbs, fats and even fiber. And it’s delicious…
More Benefits of Nut Butters
If you’re looking for a great source of protein and you’re out of shake and eggs, then raid your cupboard. If you have some peanut butter hanging around then you may just find that this is a handy source that can provide you with a nice little protein boost. In fact, 100 grams of peanut butter will net you 25g, which really isn’t bad going!
At the same time, nut butters are a great source of energy. They’re a nice filling breakfast and because they provide carbs, fat and fiber, the energy they release will go through your system slowly. This provides a steady supply of energy throughout the day, rather than a sudden spike followed by a crash. Having nut butter for breakfast means that you shouldn’t feel hungry again until that evening – and it works better than Shreddies even!
Fiber meanwhile helps to clear out your system and encourage healthy bowel movements. And then you get all those great micronutrients as well including omega 3 fatty acid and things like niacin and manganese which can lower cholesterol and help you to get more energy from your other foods.
Things to Look Out For
Note that it’s important to look out for the ingredients on the label when buying nut butters though. While some are fine, others will contain lots of added salt, sugar and all kinds of flavorings. Look instead then for simple nut butters that are still plain and that haven’t been bulked up to appeal to the kids. You want a nut butter that contains only the butter and the nuts themselves. It’s also better to get the crunchy kind of nut butter versus the smooth paste. This provides even more roughage and it’s a little more satisfying and a little more filling psychologically (which actually has a big impact on your snacking behaviour subsequently).
How to Use Nut Butters
To use your nut butter, just have it on your bread in the mornings. Look for a wholemeal bread rather than a white bread and for one with lots of extra fiber in too. Bread is a simple sugar however you have though, so try to find a thinner slice too so that you aren’t going to be taking in too many carbs in the morning.
You can even add a dollop of peanut butter to your next protein shake to give it some crunch!
