Colder temperatures are slowly making their way into Toronto. This week, our nights will be chilly and our mornings frosty. At times like these, our bodies crave warm, starchy foods with lots of carbs and calories. It is nature’s way of preparing for the winter and keeping you warm.
Now, you could give in to the cravings and snack on warm croissants and cookies. Or you could reach for healthier snacks, and keep that weight off until the holidays. What healthy snack will satisfy your cravings? A handful of almonds!! They are a delicious, warm fruit (yup! Almonds are the seeds of the Almond fruit!) filled with nutrients and goodness, and they keep you warm! Here is a list of some of the wonderful nutrients found in almonds:
- Almonds contain very little carbohydrates. That makes them an excellent choice in gluten free desserts (almond flour cookies, yum!).
- Almonds contain fibre, which keeps your digestive system happy.
- Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats: the good fats that lower your cholesterol and risk of heart disease.
- Almonds are also high in Vitamin E, and its related antioxidants.
- Almonds contain magnesium, which helps channel blood, nutrients and oxygen through your veins and arteries.
To summarize, almonds are great for your heart. You may be wondering how you can include almonds in your diet without having to carry around a bag full of them. Here are a few meal ideas using almonds:
- Almond butter on toast. This contains less sodium than peanut butter and tastes incredible.
- Almond flour in cakes, cookies and breads. Almonds have a warm, slightly sweet taste which is great in breads.
- Crushed almonds (in a food processor) in your milk or latte.
- Crushed almonds (again, in a food processor) are a great topping for fruit, yogurt or ice cream.
- Toasted almonds sprinkled on your salads, chicken dishes, and even pasta.
- Sliced almonds on iced cakes and cupcakes.
- Or a handful of almonds, plain and simple.
What ever way you choose to eat them, they are an excellent healthy snack.
Until next time, stay nutritious!