Whether you’re aiming to lose weight or just better your overall health, analyzing what you eat for breakfast can help you get closer to reaching your goals. Losing weight over 40 can feel daunting, but as experts explain to us, it doesn’t have to be. You can start with your diet— as it is the most important aspect of your weight loss journey. Fiber is critical to keeping you energized, satiated and less likely to overeat, so asking yourself how much of the nutrient you are eating daily is essential.
We reached out to nutritionists and other health experts to learn more about the benefits of fiber-rich almond butter, and how adding it to your morning toast, smoothies, etc. can be great for losing weight healthily. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Dev Batra, MD, dual-board certified vascular and interventional radiologist and founder of Dallas Vein Institute, and Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet.
Benefits of Almond Butter for Weight Loss
If your goal is to lose weight, Batra recommends a nut butter that is "high in fiber and low in sugar," pinpointing almond butter as a great choice. This nut butter, he explains, is "relatively high in fiber, with around 3 grams per tablespoon." It is also low in sugar, which he explains is "important for weight loss and blood sugar control." Additionally, almond butter is "high in healthy fats and protein," which Batra points out can help to keep you feeling satisfied after eating (and less likely to snack more and gain weight later!) When choosing a nut butter for weight loss, Batra reiterates that it's "important to consider the amount of fiber" it contains. Fiber helps to "regulate digestion and can promote a healthy gut microbiome," Batra adds, noting that almond butter is also great for your gut health.
Richards agrees, and says that almond butter can also help you age gracefully (and lose weight in your forties) as it also contains protein. "Nut butters are an excellent way to take in vegetable protein," she says, adding that a serving of almond butter has "6.7 grams of protein." To help picture how much protein this is, she says that for two tablespoons of nut butter, one egg has 6 grams of protein. Fruit and almond butter is an "easy" healthy snack to aid your weight loss journey, Richards points out, as this pairing is "nutrient dense." This provide the consumer with a "quick source of protein and healthy fat," along with an ideal source of carbohydrates and fiber.
All of these characteristics, she concludes, will keep the consumer feeling "full, energized, and with little to no cravings." When shopping for your almond butter, Richards has an important tip. "Natural almond and peanut butter are both low in sugar, but manufactured nut butters are typically sweetened with added sugar," she says. It is important to be aware of added sugar in all foods, Richards stresses, but
"especially nut butters and foods that are marketed as healthy." Noted!
