Almonds, almonds, good for your heart, the more you eat the more you … lower your LDL cholesterol, improve your complexion and digestion, and reduce your risk of cancer.
If you are looking for a simple and healthy snack while you’re on the run, then go on and grab a handful of almonds. Once considered a food that is high in fat, research shows that this fat is monounsaturated, which actually helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Almonds are also high in protein, and jam-packed full of fibre, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. And as a bonus, supplementing your diet with whole foods, such as almonds, is a delicious way to lighten your eco-footprint with less processing and packaging.
Commonly referred to as a nut, almonds are actually the seed of a fruit native to the Middle East. Almonds can be found year-round in grocery stores and markets worldwide as they are now cultivated along the shores of Europe, Africa, and most commonly in California.
Popular almond forms and snacks
The popularity of almonds is not limited to their raw form. Known for their sweetness, almonds have been used for centuries in delectable desserts and baked goods. As they are low in carbohydrates, almonds can be made into flour, which is an excellent baking alternative, especially if you are sensitive to wheat or gluten-intolerant.
Similar to soymilk, almond milk is becoming increasingly popular, especially for folks who are lactose-free or vegan. Finally, an excellent alternative to peanut butter is almond butter, which is found to be less salty and, better yet, it can be eaten in places that are otherwise “peanut-free.”
So, if you’re looking for a snack that’s nutritious and delicious, give almonds a chance. Here are some quick and easy almond snack ideas:
- Spread celery sticks or apples with almond butter.
- Mix up raw almonds with pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, and other nuts.
- Throw chopped almonds into a bowl of cereal or in a cup of yogurt.
If you are looking for some almonds with a kick, try these tamari almonds…
Tamari almond recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole almonds
- ¼ cup tamari, soya sauce, or Bragg liquid soy seasoning (for a gluten-free alternative)
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
To prepare:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds on baking sheet and toast almonds in oven for 5 minutes.
Remove the toasted almonds from oven and toss them with tamari, lemon, and cayenne pepper, and then bake for another 5-10 minutes. Turn off oven and let the almonds sit for another 10-15 minutes or until the almonds are dry.
Enjoy! Serve to guests, give as a gift, or keep a secret stash at the office for those mid-afternoon snacks.
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