NUTRITIOUS AND HEALTHY

The almond is a great nut.  High in monounsaturated fat – which can be used to substitute for saturated fat, and typically high in vitamin E, which is a potent antioxidant, and is linked with weight control and better circulation.  Almonds are also a source of vitamin B and magnesium, while also seeming to help raise your HDL (good) cholesterol when eaten in moderation.  They have also been implicated in reducing c-reactive proteins, which are a biomarker of chronic inflammation, which can lead to all sorts of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart/arterial conditions.  Evidence is strong that if you can reduce your chronic inflammation through a paleo style diet, you will be well on your way to significantly reducing your chances of succumbing to one or more of these diseases.

CHOLESTEROL BEATER

Almonds are also high in plant sterols, which help to block the absorption of cholesterol due to them having a similar molecular composition.

Note.  We actually need cholesterol for some bodily processes, the trick is to get a good ratio of  HDL to LDL cholesterol.  According to paleo specialists and scientists, LDL only becomes dangerous when mixed with sugar (pure carbohydrates), thus breaking it down into smaller LDL particles which get stuck in the tiny lesions in our arteries and cause the plaque build up associated with chronic circulatory and heart disease.

FOR WEIGHT CONTROL

Almonds are a satisfying food in themselves, high in satisfying (& heart healthy) fats, protein and dietary fibre, so act to stave off hunger, effectively stopping you from feeling hungry for longer. Carry these wherever you go and you will never be left hungry.

RAW ALMONDS vs ROASTED ALMONDS

Eat raw almonds, not roasted ones.  Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, while very good for you, are unstable fats.  This means that when they are subjected to energy (heat), they oxidise easily.  The more they have been dry-heated, the worse they are for you from the point of view of free radicals (implicated in the free radical theory of aging),  which are the reason that ANTI OXIDANTS are needed (in order to mop up the oxidised particles, known as free radicals).  So reduce your need for anti oxidants in the first place by only eating raw almonds.

ALMOND MILK

Almond milk is great for you, as it is free of lactose.  Milk has only been in our diet for a few thousand years… A mere blip in our evolution.  This is the reason that some people are lactose intolerant.  Anything that causes this kind of reaction in people, should be kept to a minimum.  Almond milk is a great substitute for dairy milk, and contains all the benefits of almonds (minus much the dietary fibre).  Just remember to purchase the natural version, not the one with added sugar, as these are not good at all.  General rule of thumb.  Always go as natural as possible.

Give your digestive & circulatory system an easy ride, and get more raw almonds into your body, for health benefits, and controlled blood sugar response.  Not to mention they taste great.