Beyond Butter and Jam: Healthy Spreads That Make Every Bite Better

While the spread may look like an insignificant element of your diet, it actually determines whether your breakfast is healthy or simply sweet. A generous portion of sugary jams or chocolate spreads can turn a nutritious slice of bread into a sugar bomb. Healthy spreads provide you with a more intelligent choice – taste, protein and healthy fat without any unnecessary ingredients.

What is the Composition of Healthy Spreads?

Ingredients of healthy spreads include natural and recognizable elements, such as nuts, seeds, fruits, dates, jaggery or cocoa. No refined sugar, no dyes, no preservatives, no hydrogenated oils are added to healthy spreads. The first item listed on the package should be the one you have in mind.

Types of Healthy Spreads to Try

Nut butters including peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter, offer an excellent blend of protein and healthy fat. These spreads keep you feeling fuller and go well with pretty much any food. Seed-based spreads, which include sunflower butter and tahini, contain plenty of minerals and are ideal for those who are allergic to nuts. Fruit spreads with high concentration of fruit and little addition of sugar are great for natural sweetness and fiber. Chocolate spreads made using dates instead of refined sugars will satisfy your cravings without added sugar.

Label Reading Tips

Product packaging may be deceiving, so let’s see through the marketing tricks:

Start with the ingredients list. The ingredients are ordered according to quantity, so focus on the first few ingredients in the list. Be wary of products with sugar, palm oil or glucose syrup on the top of the list. Sugar content per serving is important for comparing different brands. Stay away from labels such as “natural flavours” or “permitted colours” for a more natural product. Make sure there are no milk solids, honey or gluten additives if you are vegan or gluten-free.

How to Enjoy Health Spreads

These spreads are much more versatile than you probably know:

Put them on toast, sandwiches or rice cakes for an easy breakfast. Add a spoonful of these spreads to your oatmeal or porridge for extra richness. Mix them into smoothies for a creamy texture and a great source of protein. Use them as dips for apples, bananas and crackers. Add some to your energy balls, brownies or pancakes. Combine nut butters with lemon and soy sauce for an instant sauce.

Portion Control

Health spreads are very nutritious, but they can also be quite calorie-rich. A spoon or two of spreads will provide you with a delicious flavor and satiety. Consuming them with whole-grain or gluten-free bread, fruit or yoghurt will give you a healthy snack or meal.

Making Healthy Eating Easy

The most effective approach is to have good products close at hand. After you have some health spreads in your pantry, the healthy choice will be your default option, not something you have to decide each morning.

In the case of The Cinnamon Kitchen, their menu comprises gluten-free and vegan options that use clean ingredients only. This is why it would make sense to turn there when you need spreads that will complement their breads, biscuits and granolas. Go for a natural and delicious product that adds value to each meal.