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Nut butters are probably the most popular spreads right now, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are not equal. Depending on what spread you choose, you might be adding unwanted added sugars and empty calories to your diet. Over time, this can add up, and can even make it difficult to lose weight.
Although there’s no simple rule to follow when it comes to choosing a spread (and you can most things in moderation), spending some extra time in the condiments and spreads aisle on your next grocery trip is a good idea. Checking the nutrition labels might sound like an annoying extra step, but it can save you a lot of frustration in the long run when you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Plus, it can help you distinguish between nut butters that are actually good for you and ones that are not.
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Hazelnut Spread
Hazelnut spread, often called Nutella, is popular for good reason; it's delicious. However, for those looking to lose weight, you might not want to indulge too frequently in a generous helping of Nutella. This spread, despite boasting that it is made of nuts, is not one that you should be eating on a regular basis, particularly if you are working on creating a healthier diet.
According to Healthline, "Nutella is high in calories, sugar and fat, all of which could cause health problems over time if consumed in high amounts."
Although a little bit of sugar is fine, many hazelnut spreads rely heavily on sugar for their sweet (and slightly addicting!) taste.
Nutella, for example, has sugar as its first ingredient on the nutrition label--meaning it has more sugar than anything else, including actual hazelnuts. According to Food Network, "The first 2 ingredients listed on the label of chocolate-hazelnut spreads are sugar, followed by palm oil, which means these ingredients out-weigh all others."
Plus, the website adds, "When you break down the numbers you’ll find it contains 100 calories per tablespoon and more than 50-percent of that comes from fat."
Although there are some healthy fats included in that percentage, a good portion of the fat in hazelnut spreads are saturated fat, and too much of that can lead to serious health issues.
Instead of stocking up on store-bought hazelnut spreads, you might be better off trying out a homemade recipe (that is just as chocolatey and delish).
5 Minute Chocolate Hummus
What You'll Need: garbanzo beans, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, unsweetened baking cocoa, water
Full Recipe: Don't Waste The Crumbs
