Almond Butter Versus Peanut Butter: Which is the Better Choice?

In the Hostetter household, we have an ongoing debate over which one is the better choice: almond butter or peanut butter. So which truly is better?

Both!

Almond Butter and Peanut Butter Are:

• Rich in protein, fiber and fatty acids.
• Similar in macronutrients including: caloric content, grams of carbohydrates, and grams of fat.

Almond Butter:

• Has more vitamin E, iron, and calcium.
• Is higher in magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.
• Contains NO trans fat.
• Is high in monounsaturated fats, the good stuff.
• The almond itself is the only nut that is considered very alkaline.
• Is harder to locate than peanut butter. I purchase it from a local health food store.
• Is pricier than peanut butter. Prices range from $8.99-$14.99.

Peanut Butter:

• Is much easier to find in grocery stores then almond butter.
• It is comparably less expensive.
• You must be wary and read labels.
• Not all peanut butter is created equal.
• Natural peanut butter is made of pure peanuts, and has no added oils fats or sugar.
• Some companies add extra ingredients for extra fillers and taste such as salt, sugar and are high in saturated fats sugar.
• You should consider avoiding it, if you have heart problems, hypertension, or peanut allergies.
• Peanuts are considered acidic.

Nutritional Comparison

Just for fun, I pulled our almond butter and peanut butter out of the refrigerator. Here is what I found:

Once Again Creamy Almond Butter

Price ranges from $8.99-$14.99

• 16 oz.
• Per Serving
• 2 TBSP
• 190 calories
• 6 grams of protein
• 6 grams of carbohydrates
• 17 grams of fat
• 1.5 grams of saturated fat
• 0 trans fat
• 0 cholesterol
• 0 sodium
• 3 grams of dietary fibers
• 2 grams of sugar
• Calcium 10%
• Folate 4%
• Iron 6%

Ingredients: Dry Roasted Pasteurized Almonds.

Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky

Price starts at $4.58 for this brand

• 26 oz.
• Serving size
• 2 TBSP
• 200 calories
• 7 grams of protein
• 6 grams of carbohydrate
• 16 grams of total fat
• 2.5 grams of saturated fat
• 0 trans fat
• 4.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat
• 8 grams of monounsaturated fat
• 0 cholesterol
• 90 milligrams of sodium
• 1 gram of sugar
• Calcium 0%
• Iron 2%

Ingredients: Peanuts contains 1% or salt.

*This is one of the healthier peanut butters on the market

Bottom Line – Peanut vs. Almond Butter

As for us, our family is still split on the decision. Mom and I prefer the almond butter. Dad, well we can’t pry the peanut butter jar out of his hands.

• Read the ingredients on the label.
• Preservatives can change the nutritional value.
• You may want to take into consideration health conditions such as heart problems, hypertension, or peanut allergies.
• Ease of locating it and the price may also affect your final decision.

Beastly Bonus

• If you’re a peanut butter lover, you’ll love my no bake peanut butter bars.
• Almond butter lovers, you’ll love these no bake gluten and lactose free protein bars.

I hope this helps you. Let me know which one you prefer.