Sandwiches are the go-to lunchtime snack to fill you up and keep you going until the evening. While they may not be the most exciting of meals, you can load them with various different fillings each day to help mix things up, but one ingredient that likely doesn’t change from day to day is butter. Using butter as a spread on sandwiches has long been a dream pairing, helping to add a bit of moisture and flavour to what would otherwise be quite a dry meal. But butter isn’t the healthiest of foods as it’s high in saturated fats, so food experts recommend switching it for one alternative instead that is actually much tastier and a good source of protein.
According to experts, nut butter is a much better ingredient for a sandwich spread than butter as it contains healthy fats, fibre, and is rich in protein which will help to keep you feeling satisfied for longer.
Not only are nut butters a healthier alternative to butter, but butters like peanut, almond or cashew are also tastier too as they lend your sandwich a deliciously sweet and creamy flavour, and you can choose a different one each time you eat to help vary your meals.
Food experts at Integris Health explain: “Nuts are a fantastic source of many nutrients that can improve your overall health. Protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals — chemical compounds produced by plants — are all found in nut butters.
“While the specific amount and type of nutrients in nut butter varies depending on the type of nut, each provides its own unique benefits.
“When reviewing nut butter options, you may notice that they all contain high levels of fat, but don’t let that scare you. Nuts are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are proven to lower bad LHL cholesterol levels, increase good HDL cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes and even lower the risk of obesity.
“The fat content of nut butters, along with high levels of protein and fibre, lead to greater satiation, meaning you feel fuller for longer throughout the day.”
There are various different flavours of nut butters you can try but for those who have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter is a great nut-free option to go for and it’s also a good source of protein.
Experts at Zone Fitness said: “Sunflower seed butter is another excellent alternative to peanut butter, especially for individuals with nut allergies.
“Sunflower seed butter is made from roasted sunflower seeds and has a similar texture and taste to peanut butter. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.
“Sunflower seed butter is typically more affordable than almond butter and can be a budget-friendly option for lunch sandwiches.”
