Three Reasons to Celebrate National Almond Day
When you feel the first pang of hunger and you’re nowhere close to mealtime, you’re tempted to reach for something convenient – usually an empty-calorie treat – to stem the tide. With today being National Almond Day, may we suggest keeping a supply at home and at the office for those moments you want a snack? Almonds may be small in size, but when it comes to nutrition and satisfying an appetite they pack a solid punch.
Why choose a handful of almonds over a bag of corn chips or a stack of cookies? Let’s take a look at some reasons why almonds deserve their day.
They’re good for you. If you look at the nutrition label of a package of raw almonds, you’ll find one ounce (about 24 nuts) comes to 160 calories, 3 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of protein. You might balk when you see that one serving contains 14 grams of fat, but bear in mind much of that is monounsaturated – the good kind of fat you find in nuts and certain oils. One serving of almonds is recommended for weight control.
Almonds also contain essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E for better skin, magnesium for bone and heart health, and manganese for blood sugar regulation. So much nutrition packed into one tiny nut! If you’re interested in a low-carb eating regimen this is one snack to add to your shopping list.
They’re easy to enjoy. Anywhere you go, you can pack a bag of almonds to curb an emergency snack attack. Keep them at the office while you work or close at hand while you’re watching TV or reading a book. Slip a sleeve of almonds in your bike jersey or hoodie pocket to enjoy after a workout. Pack them in your kids’ lunch, too, and get them started on a healthy habit.
They go with everything. Raw almonds have a delicious, unique flavor one can enjoy alone, but if you want to add some variety to your snack you can combine almonds with blueberries and amp up the antioxidant goodness, or mix in some raisins for a nice midday energy boost. Need more fiber in your diet? Slice up an apple to go with your handful of almonds.
The next time a between-meal craving strikes, pass over the sweets and count out your portion of two dozen almonds. You may find, even though this snack looks small, it fills you up and keeps you energized.
Sources: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/blue-diamond-raw-almonds-net-carbs-349499272?v2=false
https://authoritynutrition.com/9-proven-benefits-of-almonds/
http://food.allwomenstalk.com/interesting-facts-about-almonds-i-bet-you-didnt-know-yet
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-apples-almonds-4240.html