The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich can be a healthy lunch, but it can also be extremely boring. Fortunately, there are many exciting new takes on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. These new takes on peanut butter and jelly are nutritious and they taste great. If you or your kids are bored with traditional peanut butter and jelly, try these 4 new takes on peanut butter and jelly.
1. Almond Butter and Strawberry Fruit Spread Sandwich
Almond butter and strawberry fruit spread is a nutrient dense alternative to peanut butter and jelly. Almond butter contains high amounts of vitamin E, which is important for skin and hair health. Almond butter also contains unsaturated fats and protein that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. Top your almond butter sandwich with a real strawberry fruit spread. Look at labels to make sure there isn't any corn syrup or sugar in your strawberry fruit spread. Look for a fruit spread that only contains fruit and is sweetened with fruit juice.
2. Cashew Butter and Honey Sandwich on Peasant Bread
Like most nut butters, cashew butter contains vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Cashew butter is also particularly high in iron, calcium and protein. Cashew butter is rich and it pairs well with honey on a sandwich. Cashew butter and honey are best on crusty peasant bread. Slice the bread thinly and spread the cashew butter, then drizzle honey. For an even more adventurous take on traditional peanut butter and jelly, try adding fresh ginger to your cashew butter and honey.
3. Hazelnut Butter Sandwich
Hazelnut butter tastes great alone on a sandwich. Hazelnut butter almost tastes like you are eating a dessert. It is rich and sweet by itself, so it is not necessary to add jelly or other fruit. Try hazelnut butter with two slices of whole wheat bread to spice up your old peanut butter and jelly. Hazelnut butter is also compatible on rye bread or sprouted wheat berry. Hazelnut butter contains many important nutrients such as folate, calcium and copper. It can also decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. Hazelnut butter is also free of cholesterol and trans fats.
4. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
If you are tired of eating jelly, you should try adding real fruit, like banana. Peanut butter and banana make a surprisingly delicious combination. This take on peanut butter and jelly is also packed with potassium and protein. Use one banana, sliced, and two tablespoons of peanut butter. Make sure you buy peanut butter that only contains peanuts (and possibly salt). Many peanut butters add sugars and other unnecessary ingredients so that the butter doesn't separate. These ingredients, like palm oil and emulsifiers, do not provide health benefits and can actually cause adverse health effects.
The American Medical Association says that eating 5 servings of nuts and nut butter per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes by almost 30 percent. Eating just one serving of nuts or nut butter per week reduces your risk by eight percent. Try one of these healthy takes on traditional peanut butter and jelly to increase variety and health in your diet.
