Almonds for Weight Loss

If you've ever been fortunate enough to see almond trees in bloom, you will no doubt remember the sweet scent in the air, the white blossoms covering the tree and during spring, the white flowers covering the ground like snow. Almonds are one of the earliest cultivated foods, crunchy, tasty and in some places, lucky. In Sweden the almond is a symbol of good luck. During Christmas, an almond is hidden inside a cup of rice pudding--the guest who has the rice pudding with the almond in it is promised a year of good fortune.

Nutrition

• Almonds are high in protein and have no cholesterol. In fact, the unsaturated fat in almonds have many health benefits such as lowering LDL cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. They are high in Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and good for your skin and hair, phosphorus, which is good for your teeth and bones, and magnesium, a mineral that is important for your heart and muscles. Almonds are also high in calcium, contain B vitamins, thiamin and riboflavin. That is one nutritionally packed nut!

Weight Loss

• According to a study of dieters in the International Journal of Obesity, people who ate almonds daily lost more weight than those who ate a diet with the same number of calories but without the nuts. This study disproves the theory that all calories are equal. Although nuts are high in fat, the almond in particular is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Of the 39% total fat in an almond, 25% of it is healthy fat. The researchers also theorize that the fat in the almonds may not be totally absorbed. Another reason why almonds are helpful to dieters is that they are full of fiber. Fiber, along with the protein and the good fat in the almond, makes you feel full longer.

Tips

• A little goes a long way. Sprinkle a handful in your cereal or salad. Roast them with herbs as a great snack. Make sure to store nuts in the refrigerator. Purchase in small quantities as nuts can turn rancid. Store in air tight containers.