Name: Mixed nut butter — a blend of two or more nuts, often almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts and sometimes peanuts, ground into a single spread. The mix varies by brand, so the ingredients list matters.
Description
Mixed nut butters grew out of the popularity of single-nut butters such as peanut and almond butter, as makers began to blend them for flavour, texture and cost. A blend can balance the strong flavour of one nut against the mildness of another, and may also include seeds, spices, cocoa or sweeteners.
Nut butters are made by grinding roasted or raw nuts into a smooth or crunchy paste, and the best are simply nuts, with perhaps a little salt. Because a mixed butter contains several nuts, it is not suitable for anyone with an allergy to any one of them, and peanuts, which are legumes, are sometimes included.
Main nutrition value
Mixed nut butters provide a combination of healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, vitamin E and minerals, depending on the nuts used.
How best to be consumed
Mixed nut butter is used like any other nut butter, in small portions.
- Spread on toast, crackers or fruit.
- Stir into porridge, yoghurt and smoothies.
- Use in sauces, dressings and baking.
- Read the label for the nut types, added sugar and palm oil, and choose a high-nut-content product.
- Store in the fridge after opening, and stir well.
Overconsumption could cause…
Nut butters are nutritious but very calorie-dense, and portion size matters.
- Weight gain from eating more than a spoonful or two a day, since a tablespoon holds well over 90 calories.
- Added sugar, palm oil and salt in some commercial brands, so check the label.
- Allergic reactions to any of the nuts in the blend, including peanuts, which can be severe, so check the label carefully.
Wikipedia — Nut butter, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_butter
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