There could be a tiny, yet powerful snack in the kitchen a person never thought of before.
Almonds might be small in size, but they are full of nutritional value.
They are packed with magnesium and calcium, two important nutrients for most everyone. Not only small and nutritional, almonds are also adaptable in ways to consume them. Almonds can be eaten by themselves, or they can be found in any and every type of meal. Almonds actually have a lot of neat facts for everyone to learn about.
One fact many people may not know is that unroasted almonds can be poisonous to humans. When they are unroasted, a single almond can contain four to nine milligrams of cyanide. It only takes one to three milligrams to kill a human if it's digested. They also grow on trees, so it’s not suggested to eat one straight from the tree. Once they are roasted though, they are perfectly fine to eat and offer many benefits.
Along with magnesium and calcium, they also provide protein, iron, and fiber. Multiple studies have concluded that eating almonds can reduce heart disease and lower cholesterol. One study provided by Verywellfit.com stated that adolescents and young adults who consumed 56 grams of almonds daily reduced diabetes risk and cholesterol in 12 weeks. One would only need to consume approximately 50 almonds to obtain 56 grams.
Many people are unaware that almonds have a long shelf life. Almonds without shells can last approximately four months in the pantry. They can last up to eight months if they are stored in the refrigerator.
Almonds are a useful daily addition to the diet because of their versatility. Almonds are great for breakfast when they are mixed in yogurt, oatmeal, and even pancakes made with almond flour. If almonds for lunch sounds good, try putting them in a salad or even use almond butter as a replacement for peanut butter for a PB&J.
For dinner, why not make an almond crust on salmon for a gourmet experience. Chicken is also a great option for an almond crusted meal. Dessert might be the best part for almonds as they can go in cakes, cookies, or even candied. Here’s a fun recipe for almonds.
Almond granola bars by Jedi Chef Travels
Ingredients:
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 cup sliced raw almonds
1 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup honey
½ cup almond butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spray a 8”x12" pan with vegetable spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, and cherries.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, almond butter, honey, vanilla, and kosher salt. Stir constantly until butter has melted and the mixture is smooth, approximately three to four minutes. Pour the almond butter mixture over the oat mixture and use a rubber spatula mix until evenly combined.
Spray your fingers with a bit of vegetable spray and rub your hands together, to prevent sticking. Turn the granola onto your prepared pan and use your fingertips to press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake in the oven for 25 to30 minutes. Remove and cool to room temperature before cutting into bars. Enjoy!