Superfood of the Week: Almond Butter

You may have noticed that the once rather sparse peanut butter section at your grocery store is now overflowing with about a hundred kinds of deliciously thick and creamy alternative nut butters. From its sweet and nutty flavor to its superb nutritional profile, it's official: almond butter is our favorite. It's like peanut butter's trendy and tasty best friend. Did I mention how versatile it is? The sweetness of raw almond butter is the perfect partner for whole-grain toast in the a.m. or whipped into a stir-fry at night. And get this -- recent studies show that dieters who chomped on almonds daily shed 62 percent more weight and more than half the fat than those who didn't. I bet that'll get you on the almond butter train! Try it out with one of these three satisfying recipes.

Almond Butter Rice Krispie Treats: Hold up -- a healthy Rice Krispie treat? Oh yeah. This fantastic Whole Foods recipe is as chewy and decadent as the original without that sugary, buttery price tag of the original that'd weigh you down. What more could you ask for in an afternoon treat? With it's short ingredient list, this recipe is bound to become one of your new staples.

Tofu, Veggie and Almond Butter Stir-Fry: This wonderfully unique Asian-inspired recipe from Whole Living is just what you need to spice up your dinner routine. This well-rounded meal is loaded with energy-boosting vitamins from the veggies like bok choy, bell peppers and broccoli plus a serious protein punch from the tofu. Douse all that deliciousness in a thick and creamy almond butter sauce and holy yum!

Almond Butter and Jelly Smoothie: Your morning is about to get a whole lot tastier with this healthy twist on the timeless PB&J sandwich. Forget the bread and kick-start your day with a naturally sweetened, creamy, nutty smoothie. Simply combine 1 cup of frozen red grapes, 1/2 of an overripe banana, 2 tbsp almond butter, a cup of milk and a dash of vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth!

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