Substitutes for Almond Butter

Almond butter is a high-fat spread made from the paste of almonds. Because most of the fat in almond butter is unsaturated, it can promote health benefits; research from the June 2010 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that consumption of almonds could lower cholesterol. Unsaturated fat is calorie-dense, so dieters should watch portion sizes. If you don't like the taste of almond butter or find it too expensive, there are products with similar nutritional elements you can substitute.

Peanut Butter

• Peanut butter is similar to almond butter from a nutritional standpoint. A 2 tbsp. serving of peanut butter contains the same calorie content as almond butter, 190, but peanut butter contains 1 gram less of fat, with 16 grams. Both peanut butter and almond butter have 7 grams of carbohydrates, but almond butter has 1 gram more of fiber, with 3 grams per 2 tbsp. Peanut butter contains 8 grams of protein, which is 2 grams more than almond butter. Almond butter has more vitamin E, with 40 percent of the daily suggested intake, compared to 15 percent in peanut butter.

Cashew Butter

• Cashew butter contains the same amount of calories per serving as almond butter, with 190. Cashew butter is lower in fat, with 15 grams per 2 tbsp. serving but higher in carbohydrates, with 11 grams compared to the 7 grams in almond butter. Cashew butter contains 1 gram less of fiber, with 2 grams per serving, and 1 less gram of protein, with 5 grams per serving, than almond butter. Cashew butter contains 10 percent of the daily recommended intake of iron, 2 percent more than almond butter. However, almond butter contains more calcium and vitamin E than cashew butter.

Sunflower Seed Butter

• Sunflower seed butter contains the same amount of calories, 190 and fat, 17 grams, as almond butter. Sunflower seed is lower in carbohydrates, with 5 grams compared to the 7 grams in each 2-tbsp. serving of almond butter. Sunflower seed butter contains 7 grams of protein, which is 1 gram more than almond butter, but almond butter contains more calcium and vitamin E.

Hazelnut Butter

• Hazelnut butter contains 10 fewer calories, with 180, and 1 gram less of fat, with 16 grams, per serving than almond butter. This type of butter contains 5 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of protein, both of which are lower than the content of almond butter. Hazelnut butter does contain 4 grams of fiber, which is 1 gram more than almond butter. Almond butter contains more iron than hazelnut butter.