I’ve never been a rabid peanut butter fan, though I understand the appeal for a quick and easy, non-perishable, packable protein spread for everything from school lunches to hiking trips to an everyday snack. While I didn’t really dig peanut butter as a child, Sunbutter Sunflower Seed Spread slathered on an apple slice or a banana is one of my favorite adult snacks.

Besides its fame as one of the most common allergens for children, today’s peanut butters are often blended with obscene amounts of sugar, oils, and other additives. Recently, there was a widespread recall of peanut butter, and my husband asked me if we had any in the house to dispose. We haven’t had peanut butter in the house for ages. Even if we had had peanut butter, it would have been organic and therefore not contaminated or subject to the recall. However, we haven’t had peanut butter for years while we’ve enjoyed almond butter and even cashew butter instead. Lately, Sunbutter has won the nut-butter war and has turned into one of our staples.

Sugar free, the sole ingredient in Sunbutter is sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are full of anti-inflammatory vitamin E, cancer-fighting selenium and cholesterol-lowering phytosterols, and heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats. Available in regular or organic, Sunbutter offers a nice hit of protein to fill you up and keep you going.