I am always on the look out for ways to improve my diet, especially when it comes to snacking. I was asked if I wanted to take part in a 21 day almond snack challenge by the Almond Board of California, which I gladly accepted to try. So up until today I have added the snack of a handful of almonds to my diet.
So why did I agree to do it?
After a bit of research, I was so impressed with just how good almonds are for you. They are little power houses full of 15 essential nutrients, that you can grab and snack on, giving you a little boost at any point throughout the day. I’m watching my weight and almonds may well be an optimal snack to help inhibit hunger
There was a study on it by the European Journal of Nutrition 2014, In fact I’m sure I watched a programme on TV that proved just that. With that memory, boy was I in.
How did I do it?
Well that part was surprisingly simple. I had been given some handy little tins, so I grabbed some almonds and had them ready in my handbag for when I felt the urge to snack whilst out and about. As I work from home, I changed my mid–morning snack to a few almonds with a cuppa. I also added a couple to my cereal in the morning. They worked well with my usual porridge, overnight oats, and granola. Simple! I could of course have cooked with them too. I did spot some fab recipes HERE, I am so making the salted caramel almonds!
From my good pal Nigel Slater, I just love the look of this Almond Lentil Stew.
How did I fair?
Well, I know I need a bit of help with some areas of my diet, I am vegetarian and perpetually anaemic so the fact I was not only adding great nutrients and I was adding natural protein and iron into my diet, this really was a winning snack for me. I really need to decrease the amount of sugar I eat, I have an unhealthy obsession with it. With the almonds though, I loved that they are both sweet and savoury. If you haven’t tried almonds in a while I urge you to give them another go. There was one day I was really, REALLY craving something sweet, and hand on heart these did the trick, so they are little hormone lifesavers too!
I’ve really been burning the candle at both ends too, as I am flat out at work. My energy levels for the past month though, have been great, which I am putting down to the almonds too! I will definitely carry this on, I have become a little addicted to them, its only a small 30g portion, so its very easy to add to my diet.
Now my days as a busy working Mum, can definitely be full of drama, and every bit of help that I can have to make it easier, and me healthier are very much welcomed. I am so hoping this doesn’t happen to me anytime soon though :
I’m writing a post-it note right now with – ‘Don’t forget Nia’s Lunch box.’ Blimey Zoe, I’m impressed!
This post is a featured post, brought to you in association with California Almonds.
Ruthy says
I am a huge fan of almonds. They are a really yummy sugar-free snack, and very sustaining.