Facing it - we were all raised eating peanut butter or jelly on toast without a thought. It was fast, convenient and delicious. And it's been a while since some healthy almond butter appeared in shops and people went mad about it. Is it just hype? Or is there really something to it?

1. The Nutritional Profile Is Just Superior

A quick label check will tell you all you need to know. Almond butter has more vitamin E, magnesium, calcium and fiber than most traditional spreads. Conventional peanut butter (the processed stuff) can be full of sugars, hydrogenated oils and salt that do your body little good. But almond butter is generally cleaner to begin with. You're receiving more nutritional bang for your buck (or spoon), and that's important in the long run.

2. It's a Heart Health Hero

Almonds are a source of monounsaturated fats - the type of fats that work to promote heart health through reducing bad cholesterol. Once you turn almonds into butter, these fats are still present. They remain in place and do good in your body. Regular spreads made with refined oils or partially hydrogenated fats? Not so much. Your heart is carrying out work 24/7. Shouldn't it be better fuelled?

3. Blood Sugar Stays Stable

Most people don't consider the effect of toast spread on blood sugar. The glycemic index of almond butter is low, which means that it won't raise your blood sugar levels as much as sugary spreads and even some types of peanut butter. This is big for anybody who's trying to keep their energy up, or control their weight or reduce diabetes risk. So you stay alert and energized rather than bonking in an hour.

4. Way More Versatile Than You'd Expect

Nut butters can sometimes be seen as the "toast food". But almond butter fruity blends - such as almond butter mixed into smoothies with mango and berries - are tasty and healthy. You can add it to overnight oats, mix it into sauces, top it onto yogurt or stir it into salad dressings. I don't think you could do that with a tub of fake-flavoured hazelnut butter. Almond butter is in a different league.

5. Clean Ingredients You Can Actually Read

Take a look at the ingredients label of most commercial spreads and you're faced with the periodic table. Palm oil, modified corn starch, artificial flavours - what are half of these ingredients? Typically, high quality almond butter has one ingredient: almonds. Two, if you count a bit of salt. We like to know what's in our almond butter. Being able to know exactly what's in the food you eat shouldn't be a privilege, and with almond butter it's not.

6. It's Genuinely Satiating

Remember that low in the stomach you get after eating and being hungry again 20 minutes later? Well, that's not the case with almond butter. It's a long-lasting filling combination of the good fats, protein and fiber. Here's how it does its job of helping you feel full:

• The protein helps maintain muscle mass and slows the digestion process, which means your body will feel "full" longer - essential if you're trying to manage your weight or hold off mid-morning munchies.

• Fiber supports healthy gut bacteria and digestion, and physically contributes to a sense of fullness.

• Monounsaturated fats are long-burning fuels that the body metabolises slowly, which means you have a steady source of energy, instead of a sugar rush and then a sugar crash.

The opposite can be said for spreads that are high in sugar; they cause a quick energy surge, followed by low blood sugar and food baby.

7. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the culprit that lies behind many common modern-day illnesses - joint pain, IBS, fatigue, and so on. Almonds have both vitamin E and antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation. The majority of spreads have refined oils and preservatives that actually increase inflammation. So each time you reach for almond butter, you're reaching for a choice that promotes healthy inflammation processes. Small decisions can make more of a difference than we think over time.

8. It Tastes Genuinely Amazing

Now, putting aside healthy eating, healthy almond butter tastes great. It tastes delicious, creamy, nutty and slightly sweet, more sophisticated than peanut butter. And then there's almond butter and fruit - such as strawberry jam, fresh peaches, or blueberry compote - and it's just the best. It's indulgent and good for you, too. Not often a match made in heaven.

So, Is the Switch Worth It?

Absolutely. You're not trading down, you're trading up a less nutritious food for something delicious, filling, kowtows to your cardiovascular system, and has no mysterious ingredients. Start with one jar. Spread it on bread, mix it into a smoothie, add fruit to it. You could find it in your pantry for years to come, not necessarily because you've heard that it's good for you, but because you just love it.