Flaxseed butter is one of those nut-free spreads that not a lot of people know about, but many spread enthusiasts would recommend!
And that’s because it’s amazing for keto diets, with no net carbs at all along with a protein content that beats out a lot of other nut butters!
However, I’m going to compare that to a spread that many people know about – in fact, it’s one of the most popular spreads in the entire world!
You might have guessed it, but I’m talking about Nutella, the chocolate and creamy hazelnut spread that’s a household name these days! We’ll put it right beside flaxseed butter, comparing the two in every way to ultimately see: which one is better.
Let’s begin!
Comparing flaxseed butter vs Nutella
Flaxseed butter has no nuts in it, with no other allergens at all! Nutellas is made from hazelnuts, and has tree nuts, milk, and soy listed as allergens. They don’t really share any similarities, with flaxseed butter being good for vegan, paleo, and keto diets while Nutella strikes out with all of those.
Nutella’s glycemic index is unknown, but it’s estimated to be high due to the crazy amount of sugar that’s added in it. Flaxseed butter has a low glycemic index, making it ideal for avoiding blood sugar level spikes – talk to your physician first if you have any concerns!
| Flaxseed butter | Nutella (flavored hazelnut butter) | |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, earthy | Sweet, chocolatey |
| Texture | Thin, grainy | Smooth, creamy |
| Allergens | None | Tree nuts, milk, soy |
| Vegan? | Yes | No |
| Paleo? | Yes | No |
| Keto? | Yes | No |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Flaxseed=35 | Unknown (likely high due to added sugar content) |
What is flaxseed butter?
Flaxseed butter is quite similar to almond butter in texture, but is made by grinding flax seeds into a thin and grainy paste! It has no nuts or other allergens in it, and it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids!
It’s also really easy to make flaxseed butter at home, giving you more control about what additional ingredients are added!
What is Nutella?
Nutella is that delicious flavored hazelnut butter, boasting a chocolate and sweet taste in a smooth and creamy spread. It contains a lot of sugar and palm oil, along with other less-than-healthy ingredients…
Luckily, you can easily make Nutella at home without a lot of those ingredients. Or, you can make a keto Nutella that uses stevia-sweetened chocolate chips that’ll fit your low-carb diet!
Differences between flaxseed butter and Nutella
The biggest differences between flaxseed butter and Nutella are their taste and texture.
Flaxseed butter has a mildly nutty and earthy taste, while Nutella has a really sweet and chocolatey flavor to it. They’re distinctly different, basically being on opposite ends of the spectrum!
Their textures differ in that flaxseed butter has a thin and grainy consistency, while Nutella has a very smooth and creamy texture to it.
How to use flaxseed butter vs Nutella
Although these spreads are quite different in taste and textures, you can use them in basically all the same ways!
Enjoy either as a spread on your bakes, toast, pancakes (Nutella and pancakes are the golden combo), or anything else you’d like. You can mix them into your smoothies and oatmeal for some new flavor profiles, or use them to dip fruits and vegetables into them!
You could also use them in your bakes, with flaxseed butter doing well in sweet desserts with its earthy flavor, while Nutella is really good in something like brownie batter!
Nutrition: Flaxseed butter vs Nutella
Flaxseed butter, as I mentioned, is full of omega-3 fatty acids that are great for heart and brain health, but it also has one of the highest fiber contents out of all nut and seed butters! This is great for promoting proper digestion, and its 8 grams of protein is an awesome addition to an already great package!
Nutella, on the other hand, has a ton of carbs when compared to flaxseed butter (and pretty much any other spread) with 22 grams of net carbs per serving. However, its sugar content is where things really get bad. You’ll find 19 grams of ADDED sugar, adding up to a total of 21 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons. That’s definitely something to consider.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Flaxseed butter | Nutella (flavored hazelnut butter) |
| Calories | 190 | 200 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 13 g (1.5 g) | 12 g (4 g) |
| Total carbs | 9 g | 23 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 0 g (9 g) | 22 g (1 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 21 g (19 g) |
| Protein | 8 g | 2 g |
How to store flaxseed butter and Nutella
Flaxseed butter is quite prone to oxidation, which means that it goes rancid quickly if it’s not stored correctly. Put it in the fridge, which will thicken it up a little for easier handling on top of preventing early spoilage!
Shelf-life can vary from brand-to-brand, so make sure to always check the label!
Nutella is fine at room temperature, and can be stored for up to 12 months after opening according to Ferrero, the company that makes Nutella.
Flaxseed butter vs Nutella: The ultimate verdict
Both spreads offer some unique pros and cons, being quite different from one another…
On the one hand, flaxseed butter offers a nut-free experience that has a pretty great nutritional profile with the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids!
On the other hand, Nutella is absolutely delicious and adds a chocolatey and sweet touch to everything you pair it with. However, its nutritional profile isn’t very great…
In this case, flaxseed butter wins due to it being very versatile when it comes to different diets, as well as providing awesome nutritional benefits and a nice flavor profile!
FAQs
Flaxseed butter has some awesome health benefits, including a lot of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, almond butter is often considered the healthiest spread.
Bodybuilders like flaxseed a lot because it has a really good protein content, as well as healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids which help lower inflammation.
You sure can! Flaxseeds aren’t nuts, and there are no other allergens, making flaxseed butter a great choice for anyone with a nut allergy!
Nutella has a lot of sugar and unhealthy ingredients, which doesn’t make it the best choice for the health-conscious. So, I recommend enjoying it in moderation!
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