We are all addicted to the standard Peanut Butter, yes an amazing source of Fiber, Protein and healthy carbohydrates but to reap the full health rewards of what Nature has to offer you need to open your mind to the full range of Nuttiness. This post is too encourage all my BikiniBrawn readers to be adventurous and to put that tub of Peanut Butter goodness to one side. The Nut butter family is widely available and can be purchased in any health food stores.
A brand i have been using for years is the Meridian Nut butter range, I have recently had the pleasure of sampling some of their other range including Cashew, Hazelnut and Almond. Meridian Nut butters use No palm oil zero salt and zero sugar meaning 100% nut butter goodness. Smooth rich and delicious and a refreshing break from the peanut butter jar. Meridian have been making nut butters for over thirty years and have a huge passion for producing high quality, highly nutritious nut butters. A huge reason i love this brand so much is that they have taken action in international animal conservation and have ceased the use of Palm oil in their product as it has a HUGE negative impact in the lives of Orangutans and their environments. Palm oil is used in a huge amount of nut butters and is used as an emulsifier. With the massive cultivation of Palm oil in Indonesia orangutans and their homes are destroyed.
Meridian do not use Palm oil and are now linked with the Borneo Orangutan survival foundation and provide welfare and rehabilitation for over 800 orangutans. Anybody that knows me or that follow me on social media will know how passionate i am about animals and animal welfare so as you can imagine am thrilled to see products that are responsible in their production .
I think its so crucial when filling your healthy fridge to include variety to keep you excited and motivated and to help you achieve your fitness goals, do not forget that Nut butters are high in Carbohydrates and also high in healthy calories, so be careful. You may find yourself eating over 700 calories in a small 100g jar of Nut butter.
- Add a spoonful in a morning smoothie,
- Spread on apple or pear slices
- Add a large spoonful into your protein pancake mixture
- Add a spoonful into your porridge
- Spread on Homemade Spelt bread
- Create a health satay sauce for Chicken or Fish
- Add a small scoop to my previous healthy hot chocolate recipe
Health Benefits
- A 2-tablespoon serving of nut butter provides about 7 grams of protein.
- Nut butters are portable, nonperishable, and great for on-the-go snacking.
- They’re inexpensive and shelf stable—unopened nut butters will last for months so you can stock up on several jars at once.
- While it's a bit calorie-dense at approximately 190 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, nut butter is full of heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat.
Below is a small guide to the nut butter family and as you can see their is a lot more than just peanut.
The power of almond
Rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, almond butter strengthens bones and helps maintain muscle and nerve function, making it ideal for athletes. These nutrients also boost the body’s immune system and help ward off disease and infection. “Almonds are one of the best food sources of vitamin E, with about one third of the daily value per ounce,” says Levin. Studies suggest that almonds may also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Try This: To boost immunity and build muscle before or after a workout, top spelt bread with almond butter and some banana.
Walnut to ward off fat
“Walnuts are the best option for omega-3s,” says Levin. Eating a daily serving may lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. A 2006 study by the Lipid Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, found that walnuts proved more effective than olive oil at countering the ill effects of high-fat foods. The reason? Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that helps maintain the elasticity of the arteries, which aids circulation.
Try This: Blend walnut butter, lemon juice, garlic, and chickpeas to create a heart-healthy hummus.
Purify with pecan
Perfect for detoxifying, pecan butter boasts a comprehensive dose of antioxidants, including vitamins A, B, and E, folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. One tablespoon has 25 percent more oleic acid, a heart-healthy staple of a traditional Mediterranean diet, than a tablespoon of olive oil.
Try This: For a sweet, detoxifying snack, spread pecan butter on apples or pears.
Cashew for energy
During his heyday, muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger swore by cashew butter. It contains iron, which, combined with its high protein content, will pump you up. Say “hasta la vista” to low energy with a spoonful. “It has less fat than other nut butters and is rich in protein,” says Levin. With the creaminess of dairy but without all that saturated fat, cashew butter too is rich in B vitamins, which boost metabolism, increase skin and muscle tone, enhance the immune and nervous systems, and promote cellular health.
Try This: Add cashew butter to a smoothie for an energy-boosting breakfast. Include it in a sauce for noodles and fish (or poultry) for added protein.
During his heyday, muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger swore by cashew butter. It contains iron, which, combined with its high protein content, will pump you up. Say “hasta la vista” to low energy with a spoonful. “It has less fat than other nut butters and is rich in protein,” says Levin. With the creaminess of dairy but without all that saturated fat, cashew butter too is rich in B vitamins, which boost metabolism, increase skin and muscle tone, enhance the immune and nervous systems, and promote cellular health.
Try This: Add cashew butter to a smoothie for an energy-boosting breakfast. Include it in a sauce for noodles and fish (or poultry) for added protein.
Try this : Mix with organic dark chocolate to make your own healthy Nutella spread
If you are wondering where you can get your hands on the meridian nut butter range please check out you're local Health food store
For more information check out the Meridian website and twitter page
Twitter : https://twitter.com/MeridianFoods
Website : http://meridianfoods.co.uk/
Any questions you know the drill , message me below and i would be happy to engage
Kelly D xxx
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