An Award-Winning PhD Says This Is The Best Nut Butter For Your Health

The days of a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich are over, thanks to the evolution of nut butters over the past few years. Not only are we leaning in to alternative nut butters (think walnut or cashew), but additional fillers, emulsifiers, sugars, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are becoming less and less popular as well. 

Now, as for which butter to choose? According to Rossi, "Try to get a diversity of nuts in your nut butter if possible." That's right—the best nut butter for your health, Rossi says, is actually a nut butter blend. This makes sense given that different nuts provide different health benefits. Walnuts, for example, are packed with omega-3s, while cashews are chock-full of magnesium and copper.

Rossi is a champion for getting a diverse array of plants into your diet in general, so it makes sense that she would suggest a mixed nut butter. "More diverse plants [mean] a more diverse gut bacteria, which in turn [means] a more diverse range of skills that the bacteria can offer our body in terms of hormonal production, metabolism, mental health properties, etc.," she says.

In terms of which nuts you should prioritize, Rossi recommends a butter that contains cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, and peanuts.

While peanut butter is generally a crowd favorite, mixed nut butters may be a better go-to. Remember to look for a product that contains cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts and seeds if possible. When you're planning out your next snack, pair this nut butter with whole foods to double down on nutrients.