Sometimes we want a quick and easy snack that is also relatively healthy. While there are plenty of foods that you might choose to nosh on, perhaps one of the best options is almonds. Although you will want to stick with a plain, raw almond in order to get the most nutritional value out of this particular snack food, you will still benefit from eating a roasted almond, or one that has been flavored in some way, as long as you pay attention to the nutritional contents.
While you may already be familiar with some of the reasons why almonds are a good choice for healthy snacking, we have compiled a list of some of the reasons why you should choose almonds for your daily snack. Whether it is because of the benefits to your heart, or the fact that they can help aid in weight loss, there are plenty of reasons why you may want to choose almonds next time you decide you want a snack.
Happy #AlmondDay! Celebrate with these new nutritious snack recipes from Christy Brissette MS, RD today and every day. https://t.co/hsb0Exb4tZ @80twentyrule #OwnYourEveryday pic.twitter.com/KoTlt3aHJC
— California Almonds (@almonds) February 16, 2018
Nutritional Benefits
Almonds contain some very important nutrients that are actually crucial to a person’s diet, according to SF Gate. In fact, this particular nut, is rich in potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin E. Typically almonds are low in sugar, unless you pick up honey roasted, which will increase their sugar content, and they are also packed with fiber, which is good for one’s overall health and diet.
Antioxidant Rich
Almonds are rich in antioxidants which mean that they can help fight oxidative stress, which can often be associated with signs of aging and even molecular damage. Most of the antioxidants in almonds are found in the outer layer of “skin” found on the nuts, so in order to get the most benefit; you would not want to eat blanched almonds that have the brown layer removed from the nut.
Control Blood Sugar Levels
Almonds are actually a good choice for people with diabetes because they are a low carb treat that is still high in fiber and healthy fats. As I previously mentioned, almonds are high in magnesium, which is actually one of the minerals that are heavily involved in controlling blood sugar, among other important processes in the body. Even people who are not diabetic can see their blood sugar levels improved by incorporating almonds into their diet.
Weight Loss/Maintaining Weight
While nuts, in general, can be very good snack foods for people looking to either lose weight or even maintain their weight, almonds are at the top of the list. Just like the other benefits that almonds impart to a person because of their nutritional content, these nutrients also help with one’s weight. Besides the fact that it helps control blood sugar levels, which is also important when it comes to a person’s weight, almonds have also been attributed with helping to block the absorption of calories. Almonds will make you feel full, as well as generally satisfied, so snacking on them can help to prevent overeating.
Good for Heart Health
Another benefit of almonds is the fact that they are good for a person’s heart health. Magnesium pulls double duty in almonds, by also helping to prevent hypertension, as well as possible heart attacks. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, almonds have even been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Science suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of most nuts, such as #almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. #hearthealthmonth
— California Almonds (@almonds) February 22, 2018
Ultimately, while there are no sure-fire cures for things like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, this does not mean that you can’t find ways to benefit yourself when it comes to your diet. Adding almonds to your diet can be a great way to improve your overall health, not only because of the vitamins and minerals they contain but also because they can stop you from both overeating and even indulging in foods that are not nearly as beneficial to your health.
Choosing healthy snacks is important, and incorporating something as simple as almonds is a great way to make good dietary choices. All it takes is a handful of raw almonds to make a difference and help change the way you eat. Even if you choose to add them to a meal, adding almonds is the way to go when it comes to benefiting your diet as a whole.
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