Calling all bodybuilders, athletes, and people who just want more protein in their nut butters – high-protein nut butter is here for you!
Sometimes we just want to squeeze a little more protein into our diet, which is where this spread makes things really easy for us – but, there are a couple of other things you might want to consider other than just the protein (we’ll discuss that in this article)…
We’re also going to compare high-protein nut butter against Nutella, which you’ve probably heard of! And if you haven’t, Nutella is basically a flavored hazelnut butter – although, there are some important added ingredients we’ll talk about before you should make your choice!
So, let’s jump in and check what makes each of these spreads great – and what makes them not so great…and then, you’ll know which one is better!
Comparing high-protein nut butter vs Nutella
High-protein nut butter comes in a lot of different versions. It’s made from different types of nuts that can change the taste and texture, as well as having different protein flavors added (usually whey protein) that also change the taste depending on which one you buy…
Nutella, on the other hand, is consistently chocolatey and sweet, with a smooth and creamy texture! Both spreads are not suited for vegan, paleo, or keto diets, and have milk and tree nuts as allergens – Nutella also includes soy, and the high-protein nut butter we’re referencing from 1st Phorm contains peanuts as well.
Their glycemic indexes are unknown, although Nutella’s is suspected to be high due to the added sugar – talk to your physician if you’re worried about your blood sugar levels from spiking with these!
| High-protein nut butter (1st Phorm brand) | Nutella (flavored hazelnut butter) | |
| Taste | Various flavors available | Sweet, chocolatey |
| Texture | Smooth & creamy, or chunky with various mix-ins | Smooth, creamy |
| Allergens | Milk, peanuts, tree nuts | Tree nuts, milk, soy |
| Vegan? | No | No |
| Paleo? | No | No |
| Keto? | No | No |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Unknown | Unknown (likely high due to added sugar content) |
What is high-protein nut butter?
High-protein nut butter is basically regular nut butter (or a mix of several) with whey protein added. This is a bit of a catch-22 because it gives us more protein, but it also adds milk as an allergen.
You can get different types of nuts in your high-protein nut butter depending on the brand, but almonds and peanuts are the most common types. Flavors are where things can get really wild, as different types of protein powder change offer anything from vanilla to chocolate to birthday cake flavors!
But, that also means you need to watch out for the sugar content – some flavors add much more than others.
What is Nutella?
Nutella is that chocolatey hazelnut spread that’s known all around the globe!
It’s flavored with cocoa powder, but also contains a bunch of sugar, palm oil, and other not-ideal ingredients. These give Nutella that delicious taste and creamy texture, but you can make your own Nutella at home that uses healthier ingredients – or, try keto Nutella if you want a low-carb version!
Differences between high-protein nut butter and Nutella
The biggest differences between high-protein nut butter and Nutella are their flavors and (sometimes) textures.
High-protein nut butter has a taste that depends on the type of nut that’s used and the flavor of protein powder that’s added. These are usually sweetened with sugar or other sweeteners, which is something to keep an eye on. Nutella is also very sweet, but has a consistent chocolatey taste that makes your mouth water!
Texture wise, some high-protein nut butters are smooth and creamy like Nutella, but some of them are chunky, like peanut butter! Check the label to make sure you like the texture you’re buying!
That being said, also check to see if there are any other allergens in high-protein nut butter, as that can change depending on what ingredients each brand uses.
How to use high-protein nut butter vs Nutella
Both these spreads can be used in basically all the same ways!
Try spreading them on your toast in the conventional way, or add them to your smoothies, mix them into your oatmeal, or dip fruits and vegetables into them!
Nutella is also good in brownie batters, and can be drizzled over cakes and other sweet bakes. High-protein nut butter is especially good in a post-workout smoothie, as you get a delicious taste and extra protein!
Be aware though, the different flavors of high-protein nut butter will change the dishes you pair it with!
Nutrition: High-protein nut butter vs Nutella
High-protein nut butter is high in protein (who would’ve guessed). It boasts 10 grams per serving, and includes some healthy fats and fiber. However, it does often have added sugar, so keep an eye out for that!
Speaking of added sugar, Nutella has 19 added grams, combining for a total of 21 grams of sugar per serving…that’s a lot.
It also has quite a few carbs with very little fiber, coming in at 22 grams of net carbs per serving. Nutella is also quite poor in protein – especially when compared to high-protein nut butter!
Besides the high protein in high-protein nut butter, neither of these spreads have a very great nutritional profile…
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | High-protein nut butter (1st Phorm brand) | Nutella (flavored hazelnut butter) |
| Calories | 200 | 200 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 14 g (2.5 g) | 12 g (4 g) |
| Total carbs | 8 g | 23 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 5 g (3 g) | 22 g (1 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 5 g (4 g) | 21 g (19 g) |
| Protein | 10 g | 2 g |
How to store high-protein nut butter and Nutella
High-protein nut butter can have added oils and preservatives in it, or it can be a more natural variety. If it’s more natural without those additives, put it in the fridge to prevent oil separation and to stop it from going rancid too soon! Otherwise, ones with preservatives that are more shelf-stable can be stored in the pantry. Nut butters generally last 2-3 months after opening.
Nutella is totally fine at room temperature, and lasts up to 12 months after opening. If you want to thicken the texture, just toss it into the fridge for a while!
Check the labels for best-before dates and specific storage instructions that’ll help you store both of these correctly.
High-protein nut butter vs Nutella: The ultimate verdict
It all comes down to this…
High-protein nut butter gives you a sweet and flavored nut butter experience with extra protein, which you make like especially for smoothies. Nutella also offers a sweet spread, but has a very chocolatey taste.
They each do different things, and I recommend using them in alignment with what you need…different flavor options with high protein or a chocolatey spread.
However, looking at all the facts, high-protein nut butter is better for the fact that it’s lower in sugar, higher in protein, and more versatile for finding the taste you want.
FAQs
Almond butter is considered one of the healthiest spreads because it has a lot of great vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats! I also recommend checking out walnut butter.
High-protein nut butter has a way better protein content, but Nutella has that chocolatey taste that goes amazing in a banana protein shake. However, I recommend high-protein nut butter just for the extra protein and different flavor profiles you can get.
High-protein nut butter is usually the highest since it has whey protein added into it, but Nutella keeps the crown for the most carbs in a nut butter.
Leave a Comment