PB+J is an American classic, but occasionally peanut butter has gotten a bad rap. While it definitely is a fatty spread and calorically dense, nuts are typically considered to be a healthy fat. Peanut butter is full of protein, vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, fiber, and folate. But if you’re a nut butter lover like me, why limit yourself to only the peanut variety? Check out my other favorite nutty spreads:

Almond Butter: full of healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, iron, and fiber. Barney Butter makes single serving packets, perfect for throwing in a bag with some fruit or crackers for a snack on the go.

Cashew Butter: rich in healthy fats, copper, magnesium, and calcium. Add it to your morning bowl of oatmeal.

Sesame Seed Butter: high in vitamin E, iron, and fiber. Mix in with pasta and veggies for a delicious sauce.

Hemp Seed Nut Butter: a great source of protein and omega fatty acids. Drizzle over whole wheat pancakes and top with fresh berries.

Macadamia Nut Butter: Full of protein, healthy fats, and fiber but lower in carbs than other nut butters. Put a spoonful in your next fruit smoothie.

The primary thing you want to keep in mind when choosing a nut butter is the ingredients list. Some major brands, such as Skippy, add sugar to their nut butters – even to the seemingly-healthy ones labeled “all natural.” These spreads should not have long ingredient lists, maybe only one or two on the list. Some stores such as Whole Foods even let you grind your own nut butters so you know exactly what you’re getting. Choose nut butters as close to nature as possible to make a healthy contribution to your diet.

What is your favorite nut butter?