Organic Spreads, Dips, and Peanut Butter Substitutes

Peanut butter has been the leading nut butter product for a long time. But the rising number of peanut allergies, including salmonella outbreak due to peanut products have caused the once lunchtime staple a great deal less appetizing. Let alone that conventional peanuts are among the most pesticide-laden crops. Fortunately, nutty food producers are formulating all types of  nutritious, tasty, and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Almond Butter

More sweet-tasting than peanut butter, almond butter contains more cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fat, magnesium for bone-strengthening, calcium, phosphorus and antioxidant vitamin E as compared to its peanut brethren. It’s oftentimes saved from the not-so-flattering sugar and hydrogenated oils added up to several name-brand peanut butters.

To enliven plain salads, combining a teaspoon of almond butter with 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil and another 1/4 cup orange juice. Drizzle the mixture on top of your preferred greens.

Hemp Seed Butter

Verdant, earthy hemp butter is loaded down with more protein and the all important omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid compared to peanut butter. A late Harvard School of Public Health study indicates a diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid can cut down the risk of heart attack. And because it’s such a sturdy weed, hemp produced for seed production does not require to be bathed in chemicals to thrive. It’s savory by the spoonful, and hemp butter goes well with pure maple syrup. Smoothen the mixture onto bread, waffles, muffins, and fresh fruit.

Sunflower Seed Butter

Having a smooth texture and flavor, much like the flavor of sweet tasting peanut butter, sunflower seed butter is full of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, which combat against cell-damaging, disease-provoking free radicals. Many states have this butter included in their lunch programs in school since it’s safe for sufferers of peanut allergy. For frugal foodies, you’d be glad to know that sunflower butter is sensibly inexpensive. Blend together 3/4 cup sunflower butter, two garlic cloves, one cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, one can garbanzo beans, and one teaspoon cumin seeds to create a zesty hummus.

These are just the three alternatives to peanut butter for those who suffer from peanut allergies. We all know that the incidence of allergic reaction is on the rise, that’s why the next installment will include other alternatives that will surely be as palatable as those mentioned here.