Salmon, avocado, olive oil, almonds… if you’re trying to lose weight, you’re likely already aware of some of the most popular healthy fats out there, and you may also know a thing or two about what they can do to help you reach your health goals. While eating fat may seem counterintuitive to losing weight, these foods are an important part of a balanced diet for a few reasons, including the fact that they can help you stay satiated for a long time after a meal. But if you’re sick of avocado toast, you may be wondering what other healthy fats you can add to your plate in order to reap these benefits. Luckily, we’re here to share one option you may not have considered yet: sunflower seed butter.
To learn more about how sunflower seed butter can help you shed pounds faster, we spoke to Catherine Gervacio, registered dietitian and nutrition writer for Living.Fit. She told us that this nutrient-packed spread is protein-packed, satiating, and delicious. Read on for all of her expert insight, including tips for how to work it into your diet.
Sunflower seed butter
There are tons of nut and seed butters to choose from, from almond butters to cashew butters and of course the ever-popular peanut butter. In general, most nut butters are a fantastic source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and they taste fantastic in a range of meals. However, one lesser-known option Gervacio says you should definitely consider trying if you want to stay satiated and lose weight faster is delicious sunflower seed butter. According to her, it's similar to the more popular almond butter—and it's loaded with nutrients.
Health benefits of sunflower seed butter
So, what exactly makes sunflower seed butter so good for you? Here are just a few of the benefits of this tasty spread:
-Healthy fats for satiation - Like we mentioned before, sunflower seed butter is a great source of healthy fats that your body loves. There are many reasons you should prioritize healthy fats in your diet, especially when it comes to weight loss, but one of the biggest benefits is the fact that they can help you stay fuller longer because they're the last to leave your digestive tract, as noted by Healthline. When you stay satiated throughout the day, you're less likely to snack and overeat later on, which is a major plus for anyone who's trying to lose weight.
-Nutrient-packed - In addition to monounsaturated fats, sunflower seed butter is chock-full of other nutrients, especially when you put it up against options like peanut butter. "It carries more vitamin E, iron, and manganese as compared to peanut butter," Gervacio tells us. These are all essential nutrients that your body needs to thrive and shed pounds. Vitamin E, in particular, is an antioxidant, which helps protect your body from free radicals that can raise your risk of disease, as Harvard's School of Public Health explains.
-High protein, low cholesterol - Protein is another crucial element you should always consider when trying to lose weight. Luckily, sunflower seed butter is packed with the stuff. "A tablespoon of this butter contributes to about 10% of the recommended daily value of protein so it is a fairly good plant-based source for those who are looking for an alternative with no cholesterol," Gervacio points out. Incredible!
How to enjoy sunflower seed butter for weight loss
Okay, so now you're ready to jump on the sunflower seed butter train—but what's the best way to work it into your diet for weight loss? Luckily, it's a super-versatile ingredient. You can add it to just about anything you'd add options like peanut butter or almond butter to.
For the most protein-packed options possible, Gervacio offers some advice: "This can be eaten with whole-fat yogurt to increase protein amount or can be spread unto a high-protein bread," she suggests. Sounds delicious!
The bottom line
Healthy fats like sunflower seed butter are just one component of a balanced diet; in order to lose weight at a steady rate, it's crucial to consume a variety of whole foods, exercise regularly, and make a range of other healthy decisions every day. It's important to remember that there's no magic food that can help you reach your weight loss goals immediately. However, by adding nutrient-options like sunflower seed butter into your diet, you'll be one step closer.
