Snack Time: Almonds

Organic, raw, unsalted almonds are one of my favorite snacks. You will always find a bag in my car, in my gym bag and at work. As far as snacks go, they are on the pricier side but you get what you pay for.
Here are a few facts about almonds from naturalnews.com.

• Almonds, like most nuts, were thought to have too much fat to be a healthy snack, but research has debunked that belief as an old myth.
• One study showed that three ounces of almonds a day actually lowered a person's cholesterol by 14 percent.
• Munching on almonds helps people feel satisfied and less inclined to overeat at dinner.
• Ninety percent of the fat in almonds is unsaturated fat, and frequent consumption, as a result, could help lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Since almonds are a plant based food, they contain no cholesterol. Almonds are loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and other antioxidants and phytochemicals.
• Almonds have been shown to promote good health, especially when they are part of a healthful diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and low fat whole grain products.
• They contain the right kind of fats-monounsaturated and some polyunsaturated, so they help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol, while not touching the high-density, or good cholesterol levels.
• The folic acid in almonds is believed to help lower levels of homocystein, the amino acid that is thought to contribute to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries.
• Studies have shown links between nut (especially almond) consumption and lower risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.
• In a nutshell, almonds are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and iron.
• Almonds are the most nutritious of all nuts.

Make sure the almonds you buy are RAW and UNSALTED. This is a must……

___
Today's Workout: 5 rounds of: 10 85# front squat and 300m row.
Today's Confession: As good as almonds and almond butter is, moderation is still important. So, the extra heaping tablespoon with lunch today was a bit excessive…