Are rice cakes with almond butter healthy?

Rice cakes are a staple in many households, especially for those watching their carb intake. Pair it with almond butter and you have a healthy and satisfying snack! Or do you? Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of rice cakes and almond butter to determine if this combination really is as nutritious as we think.

Rice Cakes: Friend or Foe?

The debate about rice cakes has been ongoing for years. Some say they’re crunchy, low-calorie snacks that can help satisfy hunger cravings without adding any weight to your waistline. Others argue that they’re simply empty calories – bland, nutritionally deficient discs made from puffed-up air.

Fact: Rice cake manufacturers strive to create healthier versions by incorporating different food ingredients and healthier grains such as quinoa or chia seeds into their products.

Despite some rice cake brands’ attempts at creating more nutritious options, most varieties tend to be heavily refined crap lacking much-needed fiber which contribute towards satiety levels.(see table below)

Brand Calories (per serving) Carbs (g)
Quaker 35 7
Lundberg 70 14
Kallo 28 6

If you ask me, eating something tasteless just because it’s marketed as “healthy” is not worth it. But maybe I’m biased- you decide!

Of course, while plain old white-rice flavors may not deliver the most nutritional bang for your buck- there’s always room for toppings!

Meet Our Star: Almond Butter

Enter our favorite nutty spread—almond butter— which has recently been identified by researchers worldwide as one of the best vegan protein sources available out there; along with its other qualities like vitamins, minerals & healthy fats make it a superfood among its nut-siblings!

The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat found in almond butter is great for someone looking to lose weight. Better yet, regularly consuming these fats may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Fact: 2 Tablespoons of almond butter contain –
Healthy Fats – Around 18 grams
Protein –Slightly more than 6 grams
Carbohydrates—Just over 4 grams

Almond butter has got versatility going for it too- just review any Instagram feed’s smoothie sections or Paleo-inspired meals!

But wait! It gets better…

What if I told you this energy-packed protein source holds more essential elements than your average peanut butter jar? Here are some ways that Almond Butter trumps in nutritional value when compared with other nut butters:

Better Nutritional Profile

Certain nutrients such as Vitamin-E can be found at larger quantities within Almond Butter when compared to peanut-butter alternatives

Nutrient Almonds> Peanut
Fiber ✔️
Potassium
Iron ✔️

Okay, but let’s put one thing straight: Not all almond butters are created equal.

Many brands add sugar/hydrogenated oils and numerous fillers into their products. So opt instead for an organic or homemade option like our favorite recipe below:

Recipe: Healthier Homemade Almond Butter

Ingredients:
   Raw almonds    
   Salt

Hold up now—I see those eyes rolling suspiciously towards my nifty table-making skillset; Yes– we DID mention Sodium above as one of the crucial nutrient saves from ABs vs PBs..BUT-take note: TOO much sodium intake increases blood pressure levels which could lead to multiple health conditions such as stroke, heart disease or kidney diseases- so a limited sensible amount of sodium intake is key!

So, How Does This Snack Stack Up?

There’s no denying that rice cakes can be pretty blah on their own. But with almond butter? It’s possible for this snack staple to transform into a more nutrient-packed fuel source! When compared to other similar snacks such as chips or cookies, it definitely ranks high up in the ‘better-for-you’ scale.

Let’s get down to it and break it all down:

Nutrient Benefits
Healthy Fats (Almond Butter) Reduced Risk Of CVD
Fiber (Rice Cake/Foundation) Regulates digestion & improves gut health
Protein (Almond Butter) Keeps You Feeling Fuller For Longer

BUT, just remember:

  1. Portion Control—In our world where big container sizes hypnotize us into eating beyond our needs – Do note that high-calorie spreads like almond-butter may need to require caution when portioning out alongside an already carb-hefty rice cake stack.
  2. Choose right

Always choose the organic option (or at least low sugar!) whether you’re opting for rice cakes or ABs
3.Skip flavored Rice-cakes

Pre-packaged & flavor-infused options are typical offenders of containing unwanted-refined sugars/salt
(see table below)

Sugar-Sneaky-demons:

Skinnypop Popcorn(Sweet flavour) Lundberg Sweet Dreams Rice-Cake-Krispies^™️(Caramel corn)
Serving size(gms) 28G 16g 9g
Calories _140_____ _60____ _50___
Total Carb(gms) 18g_ _11g_ 9g____
Total Sugars(gms) _13g___ _0.5 g_____ 3-4(g)___

As you can see, it’s important to be mindful of your rice cake selection.

Conclusion

In with the good, out with the bad! While a combination of rice cakes and almond is definitely healthier than munching on junk food options like chips or candy bars; there are still varying brands that come in all different shapes and sizes – so do read nutrition labels before deciding what will work best for you!

When looking at overall wellness- it comes down to moderation & balance when incorporating servings into our meals especially as we achieve larger goals such as maintaining active lifestyles, shedding weight & keeping cravings at bay.

Eating “healthy” doesn’t have to be boring—so pick up some rice cakes next time you’re grocery shopping, slather them with some homemade organic almond butter (in sensible amounts!) and create your own one-of-a-kind snack-break masterpiece!

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