| It's 3 p.m., and your stomach is growling. It's a | | | | - Vitamin E is an antioxidant with cancer-fighting |
| long way until dinner, and you've got a choice to | | | | properties. One ounce of almonds has 35% of |
| make. Which of the snacks below is the | | | | your daily allowance. |
| healthiest? And which is most likely to keep you | | | | - Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a |
| going until dinner? | | | | handful of almonds has as much calcium as a |
| - A granola bar | | | | quarter-cup of milk. |
| - A brownie at an office birthday party | | | | - Fiber helps aid digestion and is vital to a healthy |
| - A handful of California almonds | | | | diet. |
| - An apple | | | | - Protein keeps you full longer-and away from the |
| Would it surprise you to know that a handful of | | | | candy dish! Polyphenols are antioxidants and |
| almonds wins on both counts? Not only do these | | | | anti-inflammatory agents. One ounce of almonds |
| gourmet nuts pack in more nutrients per ounce | | | | has as many polyphenols as a cup of green tea |
| than most other nuts, but they can even help | | | | or half a cup of steamed broccoli! |
| you stay full longer and lose weight. California | | | | According to the Almond Board, almonds have |
| almonds are especially prized for their high quality, | | | | the most Vitamin E, calcium, fiber and protein of |
| flavor and consistency. Read on to learn why | | | | any tree nut. For only 170 calories, almonds are |
| almonds are the superfood of snacks: | | | | among the healthiest, nutrient-rich snacks you |
| Good Fats | | | | could choose. |
| 40 percent of an almond is composed of | | | | Versatile Gourmet Nuts |
| monounsaturated fats, which are known as "good | | | | The beauty of almonds is that you don't have to |
| fats" because they can help lower blood | | | | eat a handful on their own to reap the benefits. |
| cholesterol levels. Unlike saturated fats and | | | | Gourmet nuts with an everyday twist, almonds |
| dangerous trans fats, monounsaturated fats can | | | | can be added to nearly every meal-whether |
| actually improve the health of your arteries! In | | | | sprinkled on your cereal or oatmeal, as a topping |
| fact, studies have shown that eating a handful of | | | | for salad, blended in a smoothie, or even |
| almonds five times per week may decrease your | | | | encrusting your fish or chicken. Chocolate-covered |
| risk of heart disease by up to 50 percent! | | | | almonds after a meal are an especially delicious |
| The "good" monounsaturated fats in almonds also | | | | dessert. |
| have an effect you may find surprising: weight | | | | Almonds are also ideal for gluten-free living. |
| loss. That's because they help you feel full sooner | | | | Almond flour can be substituted for traditional |
| and stay full longer. Unlike processed snacks that | | | | flour in a variety of dishes, and adds a rich, nutty |
| leave you craving sugar and carbohydrates an | | | | flavor to breads, cookies, and other baked goods. |
| hour later, a 170-calorie handful of almonds is | | | | The Superfood of Snacks |
| much more likely to keep your stomach satisfied | | | | Whether you're looking for another tool in your |
| all afternoon. | | | | weight loss kit or just want to improve your |
| Vital Nutrients | | | | health, almonds fit the bill. With 13 grams of |
| Not only do almonds help you stay full through | | | | monounsaturated "good" fats, an ounce of |
| healthy fats, they are also nutritional | | | | almonds packs a nutritional punch and keeps you |
| powerhouses: | | | | full until your next meal. |