The top 5 Health Benefits of Almonds
Almonds are a go-to snack choice and have quickly become a fan favorite when it comes to dairy alternatives. Between almond milk, almond cheese, and even almond milk ice cream, there are certainly plenty of almond-based food options out there.
However, when we get down to it, the best way to get almonds into your diet is by enjoying them plain. This means snacking on some plain old raw almonds, adding them on top of a bowl of oatmeal, or making homemade almond butter.
Let’s take a look at the top five health benefits almonds have to offer.
Top 5 health benefits of Almonds
#1 Rich in Fiber: Almonds are an excellent source of dietary fiber, packing in about 3.5 grams in just a one-ounce serving. Fiber plays an important role in support gut health, promoting satiety, and keeping bowel movements regular. If you are looking for a plant-based way to bulk up your fiber intake, consider adding some raw almonds to your diet.
#2 Rich in Plant-based Protein: Almonds also happen to provide us with a good amount of protein. In just one ounce, you’ll get about 6 grams of protein. Try adding some almonds to your morning bowl of oats, blended into a smoothie, or make homemade almond butter to enjoy with a sliced apple or celery stick for a healthy protein-rich snack.
#3 Almonds are Rich in Healthy Fats: The body needs healthy fats, and almonds happen to be rich in monounsaturated fats, making them a great snack option. If you are looking to up your healthy fat intake, consider adding a handful of almonds to your diet.
#4 Rich Source of Magnesium: Did you know that magnesium acts as a cofactor in 300 different enzyme systems in the body? These systems help with muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and blood sugar control, just to name a few. It’s clear that we need to make sure that we are getting enough, but many of us aren’t. The great news is that almonds can provide up with 20% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium in a one-ounce serving. Here’s just one more reason to enjoy almonds regularly.
#5 Almonds Provide Us With Important Antioxidants: Antioxidants are important for fighting off free radicals and reducing inflammation in the body. Almonds happen to be a great source of antioxidants, giving us one more reason to enjoy them regularly.
Here’s How to Enjoy More Almonds in Your Diet
Want to include more almonds in your diet? To help you get started, we’re sharing seven creative ways to enjoy them more often.
- Enjoy with fruit as a healthy snack
- Make homemade almond butter
- Make homemade almond milk
- Blend into a smoothie
- Add on top of your morning bowl of oatmeal
- Add to a yogurt parfait
- Use almond flour to make healthy pancakes
