Adding Extra Oomph to Almonds

By Craig Ballantyne
As you know from reading ETR, almonds have a host of health benefits. They can lower cholesterol, help reduce inflammation, and keep blood sugar in check. Plus, they are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. And back in 2003, I discovered a study that showed almonds help with weight loss. Since then, I’ve been recommending raw almonds to my clients as well as the millions of people who read my articles on the Internet and in Men’s Health magazine.

But some folks have a hard time eating almonds. Too boring, they say. So here are four suggestions:

• Snack on dry-roasted, unsalted almonds. Roasted nuts are always tastier – but be careful to stick with the dry-roasted variety, not almonds roasted in oil. You can even roast your own at home. Simply put raw almonds on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

• Add raw cocoa nibs. There’s nothing like the combination of chocolate and nuts. Now, I’ll admit, this combo doesn’t beat a peanut butter cup – but it’s a good way to get more antioxidants (from the cocoa) and add an interesting taste to the almonds.

• Mix in some goji berries. This is an acquired taste, but these dried berries from China are full of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. They’ll add zing to the almonds.

• Try fresh blueberries with the almonds. Perfect for this time of year [originally written in June, but anytime is great]. And if you’ve got a few calories to spare, pour a little organic whipping cream over the top. Now that’s a great post-workout snack!

[Ed. Note: Staying healthy doesn’t have to be boring. That means adding a few tasty twists to your diet. But it also means dumping that long, slow, boring cardio workout. Learn more here.]
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This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2390, 06-24-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.