When you were a kid, did any of the elders in your family ever tell you that eating seven almonds a day would keep your brain at its peak sharpness? We’ve heard this adage so many times! Though it is told with slight variances and for different reasons, the number seven and the type of nut (almond) never changes. What is it about almonds that make them so special? And why should you eat seven, specifically?
From our research and internet-scouring, we can’t seem to find any definite answers on why you should eat seven almonds daily, but we can definitely find a lot of research that supports incorporate almonds into your daily diet. And the bottom line is that you don’t need to eat a whole lot of them to enjoy the benefits. Just a small handful will give you significant nutritional and health benefits.
Almonds are a great snack to satiate your hunger in a satisfying way throughout the day.
Almonds, like most other nuts, are a great snack because they’re high in protein and fibre, and full of good, healthy fats. Eating almonds in moderate quantities regularly will help you full when you’re in between meals, and will also give you a consistent source of energy, unlike the extreme highs and lows of caffeine or refined sugars.
Almonds are packed with vitamins and minerals, more than any other tree nut.
Tree nuts are all good sources of different vitamins and minerals, but almonds have the most. Almonds contain vitamins E, B1, B2, B6, niacin, folate, and pantothenic acid as well as many minerals, like phosphorous, iron, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper, potassium, magnesium, and selenium.
These vitamins and minerals contribute to overall bone, joint, brain and heart health, as well as provide sources of sustainable energy and better digestion. They also contribute to healthier skin, hair and nails.
Almonds are portable and can be kept at room temperature.
The best snack is a convenient snack that you can get to anytime. Keep a small container of almonds in your gym bag, your work bag, your car, or your desk...or all of the above! Almonds don’t need to be refrigerated; they will keep their integrity at room temperature, so they are a perfect snack to keep with you at all times. You never know when you’re going to get hungry and need a quick snack!
Almonds taste delicious.
Finally, our most compelling reason that you should incorporate almonds into your diet - they’re delicious! If something can give you so many nutritional and health benefits, but also give you some joy, then we just don’t see why you wouldn’t want to keep them around. We love the slightly sweet, nutty taste of almonds and they make everything taste just a bit better. Eat them on their own, raw or roasted, or cover them with dark chocolate, throw them in a granola or a snack mix, or crush them up and add them to your oatmeal in the morning.
However you choose to eat your almonds, one thing’s for sure - you will definitely enjoy them! That’s why we cram so many of them into our Cranberry Almond Breakfast Cookies.
