Why Nut Butters Work So Well In Smoothies

There's nothing better than starting the day out with a nice fruit smoothie — that is until your stomach starts growling only two hours after drinking it. Fruit smoothies are delicious, but a few cups of blended strawberry, peach, and spinach aren't the makings of a full breakfast. Instead of going hungry or giving up your morning treat, try adding nut butters to your smoothie, instead.

From creamy peanut butter to sweet almond butter, the spreads are high in protein, making you feel more full than a plain fruit smoothie would. Nut butters are also filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and omegas 3 and 6, so you get to eat healthy without really trying. Additionally, they thicken out the smoothie, giving it the consistency of a milkshake without actually having to eat ice cream every morning.

Peanut butter is a natural choice for smoothies, but there are several others you can pick. If you're unsure of how to choose the right nut butter for you, read ahead to pick one based on your favorite fruits.

If you're the type of person to enjoy how banana overtakes everything in a smoothie, stick with peanut butter. A classic through and through, the earthy, salty taste of peanut butter can take on banana's mildly sweet, yet somehow bold flavor. Above all, peanut butter is creamy, adding a smooth texture to already soft bananas. If you're still craving that sugary taste, add some strawberries to your banana and peanut butter smoothie.

For the smoothie lover that enjoys apricots, plums, or even figs in their fruit smoothies, use almond butter. Nuttier than peanut butter with a slightly bitter aftertaste, almond butter is rich and sweet. Whole or sliced almonds are already enjoyed with honeyed apricots and plums, so combining them together in a smoothie is a no-brainer. If you're looking to really enhance your smoothie, make smoked almond butter to use in your smoothie bowls.

The soft, creamy flavor of cashew butter complements juicy berries in a smoothie. Without being too bold or overpowering, cashew butter can reign in the sweetness of a blackberry and raspberry smoothie. The spread is also on the smoother side, making the seeds in berries more bearable, unlike their grittier counterparts.